In a book being released next week, former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross debunks some of the most common myths surrounding women and crime.
The book, Crime, has already enraged feminists after a publisher’s preview of chapter 12 reveals that Ross believes aggravated rape sometimes happens.
At the centre of the controversy is Mr. Ross’ claim that rape has gradations of violence, and so “rape isn’t always rape.” The last remark is at the centre of this week’s firestorm of controversy.
Sarah Green of EVAWI (End Violence Against Women) was quick to condemn Mr. Ross’s work as “horrible” and accused the former Crimewatch presenter of “trotting out with the same spurious myths about rape.”
The measured and well-researched claims that have provoked such venom from feminists and the liberal media include the following
- It is wrong to almost exclusively identify women as rape victims. Men are often the victims of false rape claims.
- In the 1990’s, the Solicitor General gave targets to sex crime unites. These had the effect of shifting the presumption of innocence towards a presumption of guilt in cases of alleged rape.
- Women are still mostly portrayed as weak when it comes to the issue of crime, and this can often obscure the reality of what happens on the street.
- Data shows that the percentage of abusive wives are as great, if not greater, than the percentage of abusive husbands. It is false to automatically assume that if a wife is violent that she must have been acting out of self-defence.
- Rape has gradations of seriousness.
- It is wrong to assume that any woman who chooses not to pursue a rape claim is being let down by the State or acting irrationally, especially if she is partly responsible for what happened.
- Evidence suggests that drug rape is not as frequent as is often assumed.
- Many women thought to be coerced into participating in the illegal sex trade are actually doing it voluntarily.
- Half of all women who have had sex unwillingly do not think they were raped, and this proportion rises strongly when the assault involves a boyfriend, or if the woman is drunk or high on drugs. In such cases, the women themselves often went too far or didn’t make themselves clear.
- Aggravated rape exists
The last point (which echoes points made by Christian Voice last December) has prompted particular anger from feminist organizations who question the very category of aggravated rape. However, if we look at Mr Ross’ words in context, it is hard to argue with his logic. This is what Ross wrote in Chapter 12 of his book:
In any other crime we take account of provocation and contributory factors. Even in murder. Why not with sex? Even to raise the question tempts claims of sexism. But a key theme of this book is that we can aggravate crime by tempting fate and curb it by playing safe. We have come to acknowledge it is foolish to leave laptops on the back seat of the car. We would laugh at a bank that stored sacks of cash by the front door. We would be aghast if an airport badly skimped on its security. No amount of incitement can excuse rape, or any other crime, but it is inane to confuse explanation with justification, let alone vindication. Yet for some it is heresy to suggest that victims should ever be held responsible at all.
Further Resources
Some of the notable articles so far about this on-going controversy include:
- “Nick Ross defends rape comments” – BBC News
- “Nick Ross: ‘Rape isn’t always rape‘” – The Guardian
- “It’s heresy, I know. But not all women are victims. And not all rape is rape: It is a view that will outrage many, but Crimewatch creator NICK ROSS insists it is a debate we must not flinch from” – The Daily Mail
- “Nick Ross faces backlash over his ‘rape isn’t always rape’ claim” – The Telegraph
- “Former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross provokes fury with rape comments” – The Independent
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Data shows that the percentage of abusive wives are as great, if not greater, than the percentage of abusive husbands. It is false to automatically assume that if a wife is violent that she must have been acting out of self-defence.
Which data, please ?
Nick Ross shares the data for this in chapter 12 of his new book and also in his recent Daily Mail article.
Don’t consider the Daily Mail to be a reliable source of information, so won’t be clicking that link. The Home Office research says that levels of violence between men and women was equal – not that violence by women was greater than that by men. Where is the evidence that violence by women against men is greater than violence by men against women – as you claim?
Click on the BBC then. Or buy his book. We were just reporting, not claiming.