Hello Everyone,
We at Men’s Rights Edmonton have become a national topic of discussion due to our recent poster campaign calling attention to false allegations of rape.
For the people that want a quick answer to the question of why the campaign, we would respond, What is wrong with advocating against both rape and false rape accusations?
Both are abhorrent means of manipulation and power. As for our campaign, not once did it advocate or apologize for rape. It is very clearly worded to target only people who lie about sexual assault. “Lying about sexual assault = a crime” is a statement of fact that any rational person will agree with, and false rape reports undermine the credibility of actual reports of actual rape.
Men’s Rights Edmonton believes the original “Don’t be that guy” campaign is hate speech. It specifically targets a gender and all members of that gender as perpetrators of rape. Sexual violations, including rape, can be committed by anyone. While a majority of reported sexual assaults are committed by men, associating or claiming all men are potential rapists is analogous to claiming all minorities will commit theft.
The “Don’t be that guy” campaign is insulting to anyone with a conscience, both men and women. It is not novel or different.
We want rapists punished for their crimes. We also want the system to punish those that make false rape claims. How more can you trivialize real victims of rape than by making a false rape claim?
Reliable statistics on rape and false claims of rape are hard to find. Some studies, bolstered by low conviction rates, suggest that false claims of rape are on a par with actual rape reports. How is this not a problem? Reducing the false reporting of rape can only work to increase the conviction rates for actual rapists.
Men’s Rights Edmonton extends an open invitation to debate this issue to Lise Gotell and anyone who wishes to join her. You are more than welcome to join us for a debate.
What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.”
― Salman Rushdie
