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Rape affects us all

Published 23 July 2008

Men must challenge the myths and stereotypes that still surround the issues of sexual violence, to show being masculine does not involve dominating others

The majority of rape victims are female and the majority of perpetrators are male. But does this mean that men do not care about offences that they are unlikely to experience? Of course not. Eight per cent of rapes recorded in 2005/6 were against men or boys.

But men do not have to experience rape to be affected by it. Men have wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers and friends who may experience rape. It can destroy marriages, affect the lives of whole families and cause shockwaves through local communities; its effects often go far wider than the immediate victim.

Rape is considered by the government and the public - not just women - to rank alongside murder in terms of seriousness because of the violence and violation it involves.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates’s article in this series stated that the way in which society protects its victims of crime is a barometer of that society’s standards of humanity and decency.

I could not put it better. Rape is not a “women’s issue”; rape is an attempt to overpower, to weaken and to violate human dignity. It is an issue that should concern all of us.

The last ten years has seen an increase in reporting of rape which indicates that victims are more confident to come forward. The proportion of cases that go to court that result in a conviction, which stands at 34 per cent is the highest it has been for ten years. But the increase in convictions is not keeping pace with the increases in reporting so we all need to do everything we can to improve this, regardless of gender.

That being said, I am immensely proud to be a male minister with responsibility for this area alongside issues such as domestic violence, prostitution and trafficking. So what do I try to bring to this?

For me the fact that these issues generally affect women and the majority of those committing these offences, or creating the demand for prostitution, are male, makes it even more important that men are involved in discussing these issues and finding solutions.

Men have a responsibility to speak out and speak up on this issue. To challenge the myths and stereotypes that still surround the issue of rape and sexual assault. To show that being masculine, or being strong, does not involve dominating others.

I am determined to get these messages across. In recent months I have been working with the Mens’ Coalition, an organisation which aims to get men speaking out on these issues. The group is in its infancy but is a hugely positive step in the right direction.

I am privileged to be working alongside some very committed female ministers such as the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the Attorney General Baroness Scotland, the Solicitor General Vera Baird, the Minister for Women Harriet Harman and the Deputy Minister for Women Barbara Follett who are all determined to use their positions of responsibility to drive up conviction rates for rape and provide better support for victims.

It shows not just that we are making progress but that the path of change needs to quicken. There are also many men in Parliament who constantly raise these issues. This partnership of men and women taking a stand against rape can only be a good thing and I hope it is only the start.

Vernon Coaker is a Home Office minister

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8 comments from readers

gnuneo
23 July 2008 at 19:21

Minister, if you have time (and i fully understand you are a very busy person), may i suggest you spend the 15mins to watch this video:

http://www.teachers.tv/video/1456

it is about 'transactional analysis' in schools, and teaches young people to have respect for each other (and NOT in the 'gangsta-rap' sense!), and develops the children's emotional maturity, interpersonal relationships, and empathic abilities.

rape is not about sex (at least for most), it is about feelings of weakness and inadequacy, and lack of empathy for others. It is deeply indicative of a lack of civilisation in our society.

BTW, if instead of using this kind of bottom-up approach to the problem (and it can be taught to adults as much as children) you bring in simply more laws, restrictions and dis-empowerment of men, you will actually make the problem worse in the mid- to long-term, even if such are popular with the murdocracy and extreme feminists.

for once let new-labour make decent, social-democratic programs, please.

Carl Jones
24 July 2008 at 00:03

Oh dear, I seem to have been censored, I wonder why?LOL

HECUBA
24 July 2008 at 20:27

I note Vernon Coker states that although rape is predominantly committed by men against women (and girls) 8% yes 8% males are also raped by men. But this is hardly a comparable comparison, but what it does show is that rape is a male issue because it is males who are the ones committing rape. Also, I see Vernon Coker says Rape is considered by the Government and the public - not just women to rank alongside murder in terms of seriousness. Well, since when are 'women' not members of the public because Coker is effectively saying the 'public' means men since he separates out women from the term 'public.'

Mr. Coker if the Government were really serious about male violence against women and particularly the numbers of men charged with rape who are subsequently acquitted, the Government would demand expert witnesses be used in rape cases. Given rape is predominantly believed to be cases of stranger males raping innocent virginal women, we need expert witnesses in order to combat these rape myths. More, much more needs to be done to challenge the public's perception and here I incorporate both women and men that women who do not adhere to male-defined ideas of female sexual behaviour are responsible for causing men to rape them. Men are the ones responsible for committing rape not women and excuses such as the woman was drunk, dressed inappropriately etc. are just that - excuses designed to deflect attention away from male accountability.

Researcher in Male Violence Against Women

richardleeds
25 July 2008 at 00:28

Since you say this is an obligation of 'men'. At the same time could we see 'women' challenge clothing and other merchandise that promotes violence against males, such as the very popular female clothing by David and Goliath, displaying the "Girls Kick Balls" slogan, showing a cartoon girl kicking a boy so hard in his testicles that he is actually lifted off the ground. There are many forums and videos on Youtube where females openly brag about how they like to inflict this potentially dangerous sexual assault on males. Or perhaps 'women' could speak out against the "All Men Are B*****ds" knifeblock, which is hugely popular and for sale on the internet, and is the figure of a man with knives piercing several parts of his body. And I could go on all night about the violence against males that is viewed as harmless fun by society.

Respect is a two way street. I hope you aren't asking males to condemn violence against females while turning a blind eye on the fact that violence against males is becoming more and more popular in society.

So let's see if The New Statesman is prepared to show boths sides of the argument. If not than your call to end violence while hiding violence against others is mere hypocracy and bigotry.

Richard, Leeds.

A Bloke
31 July 2008 at 03:35

Steve Moxon (2008) argues more UK men are raped every year than women (many in prisons, which the prison service refuse to acknowledge). This Coaker toady quotes 8% reported rapes are by men, but fails to mention men under-report, and of course also fails to mention that the rise in rape claims by women with limited increase in convictions, when considering the improvements in evidence-gathering like DNA tests, and a broadening of rape definitions, indicates an increase of false rape claims (particularly among young working class women apparently - In 1985 Sir Ian Blair wrote an internal report suggesting 50 to 70% of rape claims false - so now it must be even more, as claims have sky rocketed since then). Fascinating (the lack of debate).

A Bloke
31 July 2008 at 03:39

This Croaker toady sounds like a very old statesman, playing the same old fiddle.

A Bloke
31 July 2008 at 03:45

And Croaker also failed to mention that whilst the vast majority of rape against females is by an intimate partner, or ex partner, in contrast, the vast minority of rape against men is by a current or ex partner. Croaker is trying to assault the intelligence us al with this article (whoever he is).

A Bloke
31 July 2008 at 03:55

So, to be a new statesman, on the subject of rape, we men should start from a base of ignorance and denial regarding the facts (as Croaker does), then perpetuate this noble lie - to help women - who Croaker thinks presumably, need to be lied to about the rape stats (along with the rest of us). Perhaps to Croaker, 'no, we don't want to be mislead by this type of misandric bias' really means 'yes, we love it, and don't bother asking for our permission, cos we don't know what's good for us anyway' - Can I say Butt munch?