Wisconsin State Journal Gives Dated Safety Advice

I've never been impressed with the content of The Wisconsin State Journal. The news is fluff and the op-ed pieces range from vacuous to narrow minded. But their latest op-ed piece titled Stay Vigilant Against Violence is just plain stupid.

The article is in response to a number of sexual assaults that have taken place in Madison, Wisconsin ( a mostly laid back college town).

The Journal urges women to be "smart" about safety despite the arrest of a suspect. The tips include the tired and trite reminders to:

"Be prudent about how much you drink"
"Be careful about your surroundings at all times"
"Learn self-defense techniques"

ARGH!

Yes, thank you Wisconsin State Journal for reminding me that I should live in abject fear because I'm a woman. Should I also be prudent about the way I dress too?

Safety is a good thing to think about. You shouldn't get into a car of someone you don't know or leave your drink unattended in a bar, and the buddy system is always good to use. But I feel like these "tips" boarder on blaming potential victims.

The article states that public safety is everyone's responsibility. Well how about educating men that women are not objects for them to take out sexual aggression on? Most rapes and assaults are perpetrated by people close to the victim. How well do these tips work then?

They don't.

I guess that means I can only get tipsy in my own home, alone, with the doors locked, with a pair of brass knuckles and while wearing chain mail and a chastity belt. Anything else would be asking for trouble.....

Addendum:

Well look! The Wall Street Journal also has an opinion on the matter. I guess feminists should give up the fight now and just admit that only stupid women get raped.

If anybody needs me I'll be soaking in a tub gin.