Asking for it - Louise O'Neill. Do we need to talk about the 'R' word?

[Stephen]

I (50+ male) have just read this book in 2 sittings. A rare book that deals with a difficult subject; thus difficult to read, but hard to put down.
After recent events in Australia (politicians and sportsmen included) and recently in Cologne, I would urge people to read this marvelous book right through to Louise's Afterword, for insight.
I have no doubt that the issues of victims and non-consent are polarizing; this is obvious from what we have witnessed.

[Stephen]

Asking For It

[gathering feather]

As a victim of this sort I doubt I could ever read about it:(

[Stephen]

Of course Doreen. From my (50+ adult perspective) having predominantly worked with female colleagues, sexual assault (from unwanted touching to rape) common.
As the author points out "I don’t want to live in that type of world any more."
Louise O'Neill highlights the issues in the Afterword.
I apologize for any concerns this may have raised.
I believe this text may be valuable to many of all genders

[Susan]

I'm sure there would be very few women in Australia who haven't been subjected to unwanted male attention — from cat-calls, touching etc up to attempted and actual assault.

I strongly believe that sexual harassment and assault aren't solely "women's issues". In fact, I wouldn't label any social issues that way, because they affect not only women, but also broader society, and because by labelling issues as "women's issues", there's an implication that women are solely responsible for "fixing" the problem.

[Gets off soapbox]

Anyway, I commend you for reading the book, Stephen.

[Stephen]

Indeed I would concur Susan; it is a societal issue, however not recognized by many in society.
This has been emphasized lately in politcs, sport, Cologne etc.

[Elisa]

Thanks for the recommendation Stephen and your thoughts on the book. Will definitely go on my reading list.

And I agree Susan [if you let me use your soapbox for a moment]. Whenever someone makes the comment to me that it's a 'woman's issue' my response is always - if it has to be one gender or the other that owns this issue maybe it would be more useful if men got together, worked out their problems and then came back and dated us, engaged with us, had relationships with us.

I also agree Stephen that we are seeing more advocacy now than we previously had especially in the area of DV. I can only say with genuine hope that maybe time are changing(?)

[Susan]

I just found this opinion piece on The Guardian site.

[Stephen]

Yes Susan I read that article. Kristina Kineally has insightful opinions

[Stephen]

An excellent article on "rape culture" by Clementine Ford; trolled by many anti-femenists

[Stephen]

The link to Clementine's article
http://m.dailylife.com.au/news-and-vi...

[Susan]

Thanks for the Clementine Ford article — it's more than a bit depressing to realise that, not only is victim-blaming still practised in Australia, but that it now extends to the mothers of victims.

[Stephen]

It is one-way traffic with blame, discussed in the book

[Susan]

Stephen wrote: "It is one-way traffic with blame, discussed in the book"

Urk! This kind of thing disgusts me on so many levels.

[Stephen]

From the Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-...

[Stephen]

If you look closely you will see the book won a Specsavers Award last year
https://youtu.be/41pfiHlWw5o