Should a rapist be invited on stage?

[Deleted]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-39274941

An international project featuring a rapist discussing his crime on stage has drawn both condemnation and support. So should a perpetrator be given a platform to share his experience?

"There's a rapist in the building," the protesters shouted as they briefly blocked the entrance. "Get the rapist out."

Their banners and loudspeakers were an unusual sight outside a venue better known for world-class concert performances than controversy.

The anger at London's Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre on Tuesday evening was over South of Forgiveness, an event that would see a woman inviting the man who raped her to discuss the impact of his actions.

The discussion between Thordis Elva, from Iceland, and Australian Tom Stranger had already been dropped from a women's festival at the weekend following pressure from campaigners.

But it was rescheduled after organisers of the Women of the World (WOW) Festival said the debate was too important to silence.

"Rape is one of these critical issues and we need to shift the discourse around it, which too often focuses on rape survivors rather than rape perpetrators", Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, said in a statement.

Diane Langford, one of the protesters waving placards on the banks of the River Thames, condemned the decision.

"I'm here because I feel a rapist is profiting from his rape," said the 75-year-old, herself a survivor of rape.

"I don't believe there can ever be impunity for a rapist."

More information inside

[Deleted]

Of course a gay person had to start a thread about raging feminists and social justice controversy.

infracted - trolling

[lonely zergling]

Anyone else confused with the term "rape survivor"?

Its not like most rapes end with death. Is "pickpocketing survivor" a thing too?

[oplawlz]

..SNIP..
More information inside

I feel like this could be a valuable discussion and agree with the premise - but I'm not sure the venue is correct. Such a thing should probably be done someplace with people less . . . sensitive . . . to the issue, who can have a more rational outlook.

[Deleted]

Anyone else confused with the term "rape survivor"?

Its not like most rapes end with death.

You are a chovinistic cis white male scum for asking that question.

Hey, this thread already looks like George Takei's FB page. All we need now is some actual raging feminist.

[Revi]

Sounds like the victim was the one who invited him. Surely it's up to her, not everyone else, whether he can come and discuss it with her?

And then people can choose for themselves if they want to watch that or not.

Freedom ain't always that hard.

[Heladys]

Sounds like the victim was the one who invited him. Surely it's up to her, not everyone else, whether he can come and discuss it with her?

Pretty much.

Also, if the intent is to surprise him with a retributory rape on stage that would be karmic.

[Everwake]

Why not? Hollywood gives standing ovations to Roman Polanski and people still watch his movies.

[schwarzkopf]

Have they just been accused? Yes
Have they been found guilty? No
Have they served their time ? Yes

[AwkwardSquirtle]

I like the idea. If we want to "teach men not to rape" then having a rapist as a part of that conversation is beneficial. They're more likely to listen to a more human guy who did something stupid than an angry woman screaming that rapists are monsters. You can distance yourself from rapists then. It's far harder to distance yourself from someone who made a bad decision, probably on the spur of the moment, and hurt someone he cared about. That's the kind of person who will teach more men not to rape.

[schwarzkopf]

Why not? Hollywood gives standing ovations to Roman Polanski and people still watch his movies.

And the US elects a known sexual predator to the Presidency ...

[Cradyz]

This no platforming of anything 'controversial' really ticks me off. Sure, try to block his appearance all you want if he's there to talk about how great rape is or something. But he's not though, he's there with his victim to have an interesting talk about something you rarely hear people talk about. But the subject matter is triggering so fuck all that right?

Anyone else confused with the term "rape survivor"?

Its not like most rapes end with death.

They say 'survivor' because 'victim' makes them sound weak/ is triggering or so I heard.

[Kathandira]

Emotionally fueled topic, fuels an emotional response.

Nothing surprising here at all.

But I do feel that the discussion should have occurred. He could be completely remorseful, and have a lot to say against the crime he committed. He could be in support of the women. But it seems some aren't willing to give him the chance.

Like many things, if you don't want to see it, just don't go see it. For those who do want to see it, give them their chance to see it.

[hydrium]

Amy Schumer is given a stage every single day so I guess so.

[Deleted]

Sounds like the old shabracks is just jealous about the attention the man, who did his time and is looking to better himself is getting.

[Docturphil]

Sounds like the victim was the one who invited him. Surely it's up to her, not everyone else, whether he can come and discuss it with her?

And then people can choose for themselves if they want to watch that or not.

Freedom ain't always that hard.

Yep, that should be the end of that.

Also, ignoring what a rapist has to say about rape is just that: ignorance. Ignorance is pretty much never good. We only stand to benefit from what he has to say. It's not like he's going to convince people that what he did was OK. He's just going to provide some insight on why he did it, which can help society prevent rape in the future.

[ovm33]

And the US elects a known sexual predator to the Presidency ...

I'm not a fan of Bill Clinton either... but calling him a sexual predator is taking it a little far. He hasn't been convicted of anything.

[Deleted]

Of course a gay person had to start a thread about raging feminists and social justice controversy.

infracted - trolling

I couldn't give to fucks about the feminist angle, I am more interested in the notion of hearing the side of the rapist and not because I have sympathy but more to understand why they did it and whether they justify it

[Deleted]

This event might actually have helped rape victims. Sad to see it shut down.

[SheepHunter]

-

infracted - flaming