The "One-in-Five" Rape Statistic - Will this nonsense ever die?

[*Asterisk*]

It's bullshit.

Everyone knows it's bullshit. It's been repeatedly proven to be bullshit. Even the people who say they believe it behave like they know it's bullshit.

Yet this demented nonsense only digs its heels in harder. Even publications that at least try to be serious -- even ones that print stories saying it's nonsense -- post other stories affirming the nonsense.

Now this says at least one of the following:

• The people who tout the statistic have no understanding of data analysis nor elementary mathematics.
• They know it's nonsense, but are fine using it anyway because they're completely lacking in both moral principle and respect for human rights.
• They don't care one way or the other whether it's nonsense. Inciting a moral panic is just a new acceptable tool for them to use.
• They've long since adopted the mindset of cultists and are impervious to thinking.

So what the hell can be done to put this shit to bed forever? Whose front porches need a flaming bag of dogshit on the steps to stop the panic? Where is the list of people who need a good, fat loogie in their iris so every individual one can be hit?

 

[autisticdragonkin]

I would say all of the above because they likely don't bother learning about statistics because they fear it will challenge their preexisting beliefs that they use to feel superior to outsiders that they value more for poltical gain rather than truth value. They are actually acting purely rationally because they prefer being an ignorant fanatic to being a correct person who has no reason to yell at people.

 

[Pikimon]

Well they could actually look at the actual study and see that even it says that the actual statistic is 1 in 23, which is still pretty high but a lot closer to reality. I think it's just a truism that got out of hand and everyone is afraid to question.

 

[Sailor_Jupiter]

They want to set men versus women politically for power, political gain, and to destroy the nuclear family. There was no "war between the sexes" (in the modern West, at least) until they created one.

 

[Kazami Yuuka]

One in five would literally be worse than countries in Africa. If anyone thinks America is worse than Africa with respect to this statistic, please take them behind the barn. Although this misconception did lead to the "rape duck-duck-goose" hilarity seen in the pottymouth princess video, so it actually is kind of funny.

 

[*Asterisk*]

One in five would literally be worse than countries in Africa. If anyone thinks America is worse than Africa with respect to this statistic, please take them behind the barn. Although this misconception did lead to the "rape duck-duck-goose" hilarity seen in the pottymouth princess video, so it actually is kind of funny.

I'll grant that. It reminds me of much the same emotions that Ash Williams must've felt after he chopped his own hand off with a chainsaw.

 

[Pickleman]

false statistics like this have essentially become social memes. There is nothing effective you as a individual can do to counter the ideas spread. Outside of people you personally know, your opinion, even if fact based will not considered by those who have already bought into the meme. Insanity like this is everywhere, and you will go mad trying to counter all of the untrue sensationalist social memes and human beliefs as they pop up, the power and opportunity to do so is only available to the media and other powerful individuals. The best you can do as a regular Joe is influence your small group of friends and family, and encourage other people do the same. Or you can just let go and enjoy the show.

 

[Ruin]

Well they could actually look at the actual study and see that even it says that the actual statistic is 1 in 23, which is still pretty high but a lot closer to reality. I think it's just a truism that got out of hand and everyone is afraid to question.

Even that seems high. The last FBI data available says that the rate is 1 in 64

 

[Pikimon]

Even that seems high. The last FBI data available says that the rate is 1 in 64

The common problem with these kinds of statistics is that it's considered a "dark statistic". Because of the stigma and shame that rape victims experience and face, a lot of rape victims don't come forward (for many reasons) or don't recognize what is rape (especially in rural areas).

Other examples of "dark statistics" are things like drug addiction, homosexuality and victims of child molestation.

 

[TowinKarz]

Every crime has "dark" stats, I didn't report the theft of my camera from my unlocked car because there was no way the police would ever find it, nothing else was damaged, and it was obsolete junk that for $60 I had a replacement within days. Rape isn't special in that regard.

 

[WhoWhatWhere]

It's really too bad there isn't proper analysis of the male population who have also been assaulted. That happens too.

Sorta off topic but not really. People say feminism is women trying to dominate and be better than men. Yea no. It's about equality (for sane persons anyway). Bad shit happens to men too. It's shitty that statistics are unable to conclusively give numbers on that. It's also too bad that we as a society have left such an impression for both male and females. Women are seen as whiny emotional creatures and men aren't able to openly talk about let alone seek counsel for very serious issues without feeling emasculated.

I still disagree with you completely on tiered levels of sexual assault but as far as statistics go I agree very much. And that's a pity for all persons.

 

[Marvin]

Every crime has "dark" stats, I didn't report the theft of my camera from my unlocked car because there was no way the police would ever find it, nothing else was damaged, and it was obsolete junk that for $60 I had a replacement within days. Rape isn't special in that regard.

In general, I try to report most crimes that happen to me. They're not likely to catch the guy for my sake, but if he does get caught doing it again to someone else, at least there's a report on file that he's been doing this in the past.

 

[Pickle Inspector]

I think some people use that statistic because of confirmation bias, they use statistics that follow their world view, no matter how dodgy the statistics and discard statistics that don't, when it comes to emotive subjects a lot of people seem to do similar things.

In general, I try to report most crimes that happen to me. They're not likely to catch the guy for my sake, but if he does get caught doing it again to someone else, at least there's a report on file that he's been doing this in the past.

I guess it depends on how/where you were brought up, it's quite common here in the UK for example to distrust the police from a young age and generally avoid them if at all possible - http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...police-inquiry-all-party-parliamentary-report

Disturbingly there is even recent history of police ignoring or blaming rape claims - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ngs-while-authorities-turned-a-blind-eye.html .

 

[Vitriol]

Isn't one in five the rape rate for the war torn parts of the congo? kinda puts the absurdity of the figure into context.

 

[Joan Nyan]

Lies like these will only die off if it stops being profitable to peddle them.

 

[QI 541]

Well they could actually look at the actual study and see that even it says that the actual statistic is 1 in 23, which is still pretty high but a lot closer to reality. I think it's just a truism that got out of hand and everyone is afraid to question.

Could you show me the 'actual study'?

 

[Steve Mayers]

It's really too bad there isn't proper analysis of the male population who have also been assaulted. That happens too.

Sorta off topic but not really. People say feminism is women trying to dominate and be better than men. Yea no. It's about equality (for sane persons anyway). Bad shit happens to men too. It's shitty that statistics are unable to conclusively give numbers on that. It's also too bad that we as a society have left such an impression for both male and females. Women are seen as whiny emotional creatures and men aren't able to openly talk about let alone seek counsel for very serious issues without feeling emasculated.

I still disagree with you completely on tiered levels of sexual assault but as far as statistics go I agree very much. And that's a pity for all persons.

I've been a victim of male on male sexual assault. And just about no one took me seriously when I told people about it. A "friend" of mine decided to pin me down and dry hump me. I told him to stop and he refused. I tried to get him off me but he weights much more than I do. (I weigh about 145 pounds he weighs about 220 pounds). Eventually I did manage to get him off me. When I asked him why he did this he said "because it's funny". And most people agreed with him. Despite the fact that he has a long history of sexually assaulting both men and women he has never faced any charges or consequences for his actions.

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

There's a real problem going on when, in a lot of circles, you're not even allowed to politely bring up a discussion of the statistics without being ostracized as a rape apologist.

 

[*Asterisk*]

Isn't one in five the rape rate for the war torn parts of the congo? kinda puts the absurdity of the figure into context.

It's far more likely the rape rates in Zaire, though horrendous, are still about half that. Some say even that estimate's overly high.

I don't know why any woman goes along with the bullshit. Even judging from the low ends on what the rape rate in countries like the DRC and Bosnia endured; the fact that these women are from more conservative countries and have far greater stigma in admitting their victimisation; far more women in the warzones still come forward about being raped than any of their counterparts in the West ever have.

Either there's a complex explanation where modern feminist delusions are true; with the only means of measurment to validate them involving a turn against all scientific means that are needed to make studies conducted on any other topic worth a damn, or: there's a simple explination where rape corresponds and correlates to the rates of other crimes in the area; there's no meaningful patriarchal conspiracy to oppress women in the West; rape is a violent crime which can be compared to any other violent crime; women are not indoctrinated into cowardice by all consuming and immesurable brainwashing, and when they're victimised, come forward at comparable rate to those whom come forward to other violent crimes.

Why would any woman with an ounce of self respect pick the former? Captivation with Laci Green videos?

 

[KingGeedorah]

There's a real problem going on when, in a lot of circles, you're not even allowed to politely bring up a discussion of the statistics without being ostracized as a rape apologist.

Yeah but like, does this come up a lot between you and your peers? I doesn't seem like a topic that comes up often other then politics and personal stories. And I don't want be that guy busting out stats to a rape victim. So it's usually just politics. Idk where I'm going with this, I just haven't had a real life situation where someone tried to name me a rape apologist because I said men get raped in jail too.

If it's all shit on the internet then never mind, people are just dumb.