Reasons feminism is still relevant *READ OP BEFORE POSTING*

He argued women should be “more aware” of men’s sexual desires and claimed: “When you're in that position that you are about to engage in sexual activity there's a huge amount of energy in the male body, there's a huge amount of will and intent”

It is “very difficult for many men to say no when they are whipped up into a bit of a storm”, he continued. "And it's the old adage about if you yank a dog's tale then don't be surprised when it bites you.

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Mitt Romney. I feel that whoever uses this quote has an obligation to cite his name at the end lest people forget what an ignorant creep he is.

A few weeks ago I was so sick I needed to go to Urgent Care, where I was prescribed antibiotics to be filled at a local CVS.

While in line at the pharmacy counter, I was ‘approached’ by a man. He spoke softly, so just a few of us could hear – me and possibly the old lady behind me.

Him: (probably drunk, possibly high, not really steady on his feet) Hey girl, what’s up? How you doing?
Me: (nothing)
Him: How you feeling?
Me: (hoping responding in a curt manner would cut off this little exchange) I’m in pain.
Him: Awww, tell me where it hurt, girl. Maybe I can help.
Me: (just looking at him, nonplussed)
Him: (moving closer) Where does it hurt? Huh?
Me: (continued silence, some eye-rolling)
Him: (glancing towards my crotch) Bet it’s real nice down there, nice and soft…
Me: (feeling increasingly uncomfortable)
Him: (clearly referring to my vagina) Yeah, mmmm hmmmm…

For those who know me, you know I’m not shy. In fact, I think most would classify me as a ‘strong woman.’ However, to be perfectly honest, at that moment I didn’t feel strong. It was after 10pm, I was tired, and after having been at Urgent Care alone, I just wanted to get home and to bed.

Except there was this situation, standing right in front of me. If it were the subway, I’d get up and move; if a store, I’d move away. But in this case, I was stuck. I was in pain and needed the antibiotics.

I was also having trouble grasping that this was going down in such a public place. It was a well-lit store with plenty of people around, yet I still felt threatened. As he continued to get closer and closer to me, I could feel my heart rate going up, my adrenaline spiking. I was also concerned because I felt like the situation was escalating. Unless I ‘did something,’ I didn’t know what would happen.

Finally I did the only thing I could think to do:
I named it.

Me: (looking straight at him) This is harassment.
Him: (silence, eyes darting around a bit)
Me: (louder) What’s happening here is that you’re harassing me.
Him: (silence, hurrying away)

That was it. He left. Scurried away like the rat he was.

I’d love to say this was my plan all along, that I knew exactly what I was doing. I’d like to say I had the whole thing orchestrated, that it was easy for me to determine what would make him leave me alone.

But that’s not true. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what to do. I just knew I had my dignity, and didn’t want someone taking it away without my consent.

I think the people around me admired my response. The lady behind me nodded vigorously. The male pharmacists fulfilled my prescription in record time (the woman at the desk said it would be at least 10-15 minutes but the male pharmacist looked at me and said, “No, I’m going to do it right now.”)

While I waited, with 1% battery left on my phone (not enough to call an Uber) I texted my male housemate: “At CVS by metro. Please come get me. Don’t feel safe walking home alone.” It was only four blocks to my house, but I didn’t know where the guy had gone or whether he had a weapon.

Then, do you know what I did, big strong woman that I am, big, powerful, I-stand-up-for-myself-and-all-women woman?

I cried.

I popped my antibiotics and sank down against a wall and cried. I cried from relief that the situation was over and from sadness and anger that it ever happened in the first place.

Scarinae wrote: »

"You cannot tell them to go out and dig the soil. This is against their delicate nature."
Ha, I should tell my Mum that - she spends most of her free time in the garden

"I would kiss my mother's feet because they smelled of paradise. She would glance coyly and cry sometimes."
Now that's just creepy

A 13-year-old girl at a sleepover to watch The X Factor woke to find a 17-year-old boy who lived in the house lying on top of her and having sexual intercourse with her.

Daniel Buckley of Ellenville, Kilbrennan, Crookstown, Co Cork, now aged 20, was given a two-year jail sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday with the final 18 months suspended. He pleaded guilty to a charge of defilement of a child under the age of 15 by having sexual intercourse with her in December 2011.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “The age difference in years is not great but you were in fact assaulting a girl who was no more than a child. It was a very complete assault. It had a very detrimental effect on her. She does not want to be defined by the assault. It is undoubtedly an appalling event in her life.”

The victim said: “My life changed after that night. I felt I could not face anyone. I found it difficult to go back to school. I had panic attacks. I felt very different to everyone else like I was the odd one out.”

As well as the jail term and the suspended sentence Buckley’s name will be on the sex offenders register for seven years.