Exactly this. Rape myths include ideas about perpetrators always presenting as frightening/monstrous/predatory. In reality they’re a diverse group and many will seem ‘normal’ ‘professional’ and/or well-integrated in communities/societies.

I cannot stop thinking about Rebecca Cheptegei and Gisèle Pélicot. Both their stories have shaken me this week, like I’m sure they have you. I wrote about this feeling of horror and fear for Stylist Magazine, and my disappointment at so much silence. stylist.co.uk/opinion/rebecc…

Of the 45 CSA cases studied, fathers were given access in 43 cases. #OpenFamilyCourt #PivotToThePerpetrator #ParentingChoices

Every time I think it can’t get any worse - IT DOES: Gisèle was told by the judge not to call it rape & to say ‘sex scene’. Sex implies consent - this was not that & there’s video evidence to prove it. This is gaslighting of the highest order & no doubt even more traumatizing

A law I helped create was the reason Giselle’s husband was caught. It exposed the stomach churning abuse of his wife. I have received hundreds of messages over the last 48hrs about it. Here’s how I feel: 🧵

The French upskirting law reform was created based on my law reform and campaign: which amended the sexual offences act, 2003 in England & Wales, making upskirting a specific sexual offence in 2019.

Years later, after the law change, an FOI request revealed that ONE THIRD of perpetrators of upskirting are perpetrating other more violent or repeat acts of sexual violence alongside upskirting: sexual abuse of children, rape, DV and more. They now had the data to prove it.

It’s simple: misogyny is the root cause, and a misogynistic man who has become emboldened and violent satisfies that twisted ideology in multiple ways. We consistently act as if these acts are unrelated and they NEVER ARE; not the acts of abuse these men perpetrate on one

1. The way you make/laugh off sexist jokes sends a message to those present that misogyny and sexism is acceptable. It perpetuates a culture of it. 2. The way you tell girls to cover up sends a message that their bodies are inherently sexual defining them as a sexual object.

3. They way you say something to a guy you would never say to a woman upholds a culture of sexism. 4. The way you are annoyed by this list because you don’t think it applies to you continues the fallacy that only those who commit violence are the cause.

5. The way you don’t question gender roles in your relationship because they benefit you, perpetuates dynamics and culture that make women “in service” to men.

6. The way you can’t explain or describe affirmative consent or what ongoing, enthusiastic consent should look or feel like to your children (or at all tbh) shows them that it’s not a priority.

7. The way you brush off boys behaviour of ignorance to others’ experience, perusing girls, being homophobic or being entitled continues a low-standards of expectation around masculinity that allows boys and men to develop dangerous attitudes about gender and sexuality.

A woman’s success - including her economic success - can threaten an abuser’s sense of power, leading them to exercise control in different ways. Rebecca was the breadwinner for her family & financially generous to other runners. Reports state her ex was pursuing a piece of land.

ultimately, the way you refuse to acknowledge any of this is your responsibility too is why this is happening to us. It’s why we are being murdered, abused, rape and harassed. All of it’s connected. All of it matters. And none of it will decrease until you wake up and join the

The daughter of a rapist is not defined by him. She is not his legacy. She is amplifying her mother’s voice — a survivor who endured over 10 years of drugging and raping by her husband and allegedly 90+ men.

The continuum of sexual violence, first described by Liz Kelly in her 1988 book, 'Surviving Sexual Violence' is writ large here. We owe so much to women like Liz, like Gina, doggedly agitating in a justice system reluctant to change.

The Times reports that domestic abusers will be freed under the government’s early release scheme

My letter to the Government of #Greece regarding information received concerning the national legislation relating to #surrogacy is now public and can be accessed here: bit.ly/3ZfdD3K No response was received to this letter.

The time for a #familjusticebill is long overdue👇