Addressing the hysterical attacks on Richard Graham MP's "blind drunk women" comments

Sometimes one just has to say the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

The Tory MP for Gloucester Richard Graham has become the latest to find himself embroiled in controversy for warning that blind drunk women who are wearing tight fitting skirts and high shoes are more vulnerable to sexual predators than those who are not blind drunk and wearing impractical clothing.

Let's clear one thing up.... NO WOMAN or man for that matter deserves to be raped, and there is no mitigating circumstances for foul sexual predators who would exploit any vulnerability. In fact, I would have no problem with real life sentences for rapists.

 

But bluntly, unlike Judge Pickles who was criticised for saying in open Court that women who wear short skirts were "asking for it", Graham has specifically distanced himself from such unfortunate beliefs by stating that it neither encourages or mitigates sexual predators - but should the unthinkable happen, someone's style of clothing and footwear, combined with impaired reactions may leave them more vulnerable to attackers.

His exact words were "If you are blind drunk wearing those clothes (in a park on your own) how able are you to get away?"

Unless we wish to be hysterical, the answer is not very.

The advice is always to get a licensed, pre-booked taxi - it's good advice.

Now back to Richard Graham's sentiment... I am a registered blind guide dog owner - and that in itself makes me more vulnerable to attack by low-life criminals. Indeed I have been the victim of verbal abuse on many occasions, and physical assault on a few occasions. There is no excuse for attacking a blind person yet it can happen despite the best endeavours of police... and frankly, if I consume alcohol, I place myself at a greater risk and I am therefore less able to react and possibly get away than I might otherwise be.

So what is wrong with people who are trying to suggest Richard Graham, whom I do not know personally by the way, nor have I ever exchanged more than a passing hello to in the corridors of Westminster, is some kind of apologist for attackers, or retractor from the basic right of every woman not to be attacked or molested?

Sometimes you just have to stand up for someone who is under hysterical and illogical attack from band-wagonists, and I for one must say:

The Emperor is not wearing any clothes