Yeah, they did do an excellent job making the details very clinical and even handed.
I do worry though, when we describe victims as naive that we may be doing women a disservice. It doesn't sound like Ericka was all that naive. Very often crimes against women have more to do with a difference in weight and strength than a difference in worldliness. We have to empower our girls to be able to gain the physical upper hand in more situations when they are in danger. Self-defence classes, personal safety devices such as pepper spray where they are legal and this is a big one to me, teach them to drive as soon as they can. And if possible get them/help them get a car. Many teenage girls are subjected to sexual violence and pressure because they are at the transportation mercy of their attacker. As a teenager, I was given a car and was usually the one to drive on dates because my father wanted me to be able to leave the guy on the side of the road if things got ugly, rather than the other way around. Just some thoughts.
~ For the most part I would agree, but characterizing any child as naïve does no disservice to any adult, men or women. Children are, in fact naïve, lacking life experience, lacking decision making skills, informed choices. Adolescence gives young teens the 'feeling' that they know the world. Awareness of self as separate and unique gives them a degree of false security in their own ability. This victim knew some things - the internet, craigs, etc, but that in no way removes her naïve view, given the lack of life experience and rational thought with regard to her own abilities.
That's why we hold the adult accountable and not the child.
~ 'Teenage girls are subject to sexual violence and pressure because...' they are girls, plain and simple. Not because they don't have a car or because they need some money or anything else. As a man in this material, physical, sex based, selfishness oriented world, women of all ages are pressured by culture and media to put themselves at the mercy of beauty, popularity, self image, style, celebrity, etc. The more empowered we think women CAN be, the more victimized they become it seems.
I didn't want to go genderist so don't get me started on men and the
culture. Violence against women is celebrated and acceptable, in culture, to both women and men.
Sadly.
:cow:
