Disclaimer: In Defense of Women's Self-Defense Classes

I am a strong advocate for male-focused rape prevention efforts, however, do not mistake this as an indication that women's educational and self-defense programs aren't important. It just that as a male, I don't feel comfortable telling women to restrict their basic human rights, telling them: "don't drink alcohol", "don't dress in such a way as to attract attention," or "don't go out alone at night." In today's society, however, it is vitally important for women to protect themselves. Hopefully, by focusing both on female and male-focused rape prevention efforts, someday women will be able to dress however they choose, travel at night without fear, and will be able to spend time with whomever they choose without fear of being attacked or betrayed by someone they trusted. Before this will happen, however, people will have to start thinking differently about rape...That after a rape, people will have to stop saying "Didn't she know better than to go there alone?" or "Didn't she know what happens to girls that drink?", and instead, people will say "Didn't he know what kind of pain he would be causing?" or "Didn't he know that when a women says 'no,' she means it?" "Didn't he know?"