Other actions deserving blame included dressing provocatively - whatever that means - drinking to excess, flirting, and "accepting a drink and engaging in a conversation at a bar" - all things that are a normal part of life for those in their 20s and 30s.

Shifting responsibility

I thought the days of shifting responsibility on to the victim had passed. Are we really saying men are so pathetic that the sight of a short skirt will take them beyond the brink of self-control?

In other words, "Hey, Mr would-be rapist, not even women will totally blame you - as long as you pick someone 'dressed provocatively' and fork out for a few drinks first."

What rubbish! In the 21st century women should have the right to wear whatever they want without fearing they'll be blamed if a man rapes them.

Similarly, even if a woman and man are in bed together and the woman decides she doesn't want to have sex, that's her right and the man must respect that. It's not OK for him to then force himself on her because he expected to have sex.

Devastating effects

Years ago, I made a TV documentary in the US about women who'd been raped. The psychological and emotional effects were devastating. They'd lost all confidence so they even found eye contact difficult.

To say they'd brought this upon themselves is ignorant and cruel. Yet I wonder why some women are so quick to blame the victims. Maybe it's a form of denial: "It won't happen to me - I wouldn't put myself in that situation."

Whatever the reason, this attitude gives the green light to rapists and harms all women. The rape conviction rate is pitiful - government figures show a mere six in 100 reported rapes resulted in conviction in 2007-2008, compared with a third of general criminal cases.

No wonder women are loathe to report rape - one in five of those surveyed admitted they wouldn't report it to the police. Unless we change these attitudes fast, we all risk becoming victims.

Source: Daily Mirror