Naturally, the Scandinavian countries are at the top.
Gender geography in honour of International Women's Day: where’s the best place to be a woman? www.theglobeandmail.com
On International Women’s Day, we take a look at some surprising statistics
Me: Maybe, unless avoiding rape is not a high priority for women. Google "rape statistics scandinavian"
B.C.: Sure, if you look blindly at the statistics, Sweden has a much higher rate of reported sexual crimes than other countries. However, it is important when looking at any statistic to think critically about what is actually being reported.
You cannot compare one countries’ crime records against another without examining police procedures and legal definitions in each country. For instance, Sweden has a more progressive attitude toward what constitutes sexual victimization and utilizes a much broader legal definition of rape.
What I take from this is not that women are at greater danger in Sweden of being raped, but that the culture of Sweden is one where rape is not ignored and where women feel empowered to report when they have been a victim of a sexual crime. I would feel much safer living in a culture where police are not apathetic in handling rape cases, where victims are not blamed, and where rape victims and families are not stigmatized.
One more reason to admire the great value placed on women, families, and children in Scandinavian countries and strive for such respect in our own communities.
A good article to read on this issue: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19592372
Me: So you're saying that the ability to report rape lessens the severity of the problem?
B.C.: I do not believe we were discussing the severity of rape, and I never made the statement that the ability to report "lessens the severity of the problem." You made a statement that suggested Sweden has the highest rate of reported rape and I responded to that. If you read my response as well as the article I posted, it is not that Sweden has a more "severe problem" than other countries in regards to rape. Rape is defined differently. In fact, I would argue, based on Sweden's broad definition of rape, they have a much clearer recognition of "severity" of the problem than we do in the United States. Also, to state that a woman living in Sweden does not place value in "avoiding rape" is exactly the culture of victim blaming I find repulsive and disrespectful.
Me: If you did not state it, fine. I was asking for clarification. You said you would feel much safer living there.
And by the way, you don't need to look for opportunities to be offended. If you think that you have absolutely no power to avoid rape or any other crime, you should reconsider the status of your empowerment.
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