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| Rape victims 'should take blame' | Rape victims 'should take blame' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A majority of women believe some rape victims should take responsibility for what happened, a survey suggests. | A majority of women believe some rape victims should take responsibility for what happened, a survey suggests. |
| Almost three-quarters of women said if a rape victim got into bed with the assailant before an attack they should accept some responsibility. | Almost three-quarters of women said if a rape victim got into bed with the assailant before an attack they should accept some responsibility. |
| One-third blamed victims who had dressed provocatively or gone back to the attacker's house for a drink. | One-third blamed victims who had dressed provocatively or gone back to the attacker's house for a drink. |
| The survey of more than 1,000 people in London marked the 10th anniversary of the Haven service for rape victims. | The survey of more than 1,000 people in London marked the 10th anniversary of the Haven service for rape victims. |
| More than half of those of both sexes questioned said there were some circumstances when a rape victim should accept responsibility for an attack. | More than half of those of both sexes questioned said there were some circumstances when a rape victim should accept responsibility for an attack. |
| Less forgiving | |
| The study found that women were less forgiving of the victim than men. | The study found that women were less forgiving of the victim than men. |
| Some 71% of women thought a person should accept responsibility when getting into bed with someone, compared with 57% of men. | Some 71% of women thought a person should accept responsibility when getting into bed with someone, compared with 57% of men. |
| The survey also found more than one in 10 people were unsure whether they would report being raped to the police, and 2% said they would definitely not do so. | The survey also found more than one in 10 people were unsure whether they would report being raped to the police, and 2% said they would definitely not do so. |
| The main reasons were being too embarrassed or ashamed (55%), wanting to forget it had happened (41%) and not wanting to go to court (38%). | The main reasons were being too embarrassed or ashamed (55%), wanting to forget it had happened (41%) and not wanting to go to court (38%). |
| Meanwhile, the survey suggested that many people are relaxed about their safety. Almost half of people have walked home via side streets on their own. | |
| One in five has been so drunk they have lost their memory, while one in five has got into a taxi without checking whether it is licensed. | |
| Hardening attitudes | Hardening attitudes |
| When asked about their own experiences, more than a third of those polled said they had been in a situation where they could have been made to have sex against their will. | |
| Women are more likely to have been in this situation - 40% compared to 20%. | |
| And one in five adults had been in a situation where they were made to have sex when they did not want to. This had happened to more women (23%) than men (20%). | |
| The online survey, titled Wake Up To Rape, polled 1,061 people aged 18 to 50, comprising 712 women and 349 men. | The online survey, titled Wake Up To Rape, polled 1,061 people aged 18 to 50, comprising 712 women and 349 men. |
| An Amnesty International report five years ago found that a significant minority of British people laid the blame for rape at victims themselves. | An Amnesty International report five years ago found that a significant minority of British people laid the blame for rape at victims themselves. |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says this latest study suggests attitudes may have hardened. | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says this latest study suggests attitudes may have hardened. |
| And the findings may help explain why juries are reluctant to convict in some rape trials. | And the findings may help explain why juries are reluctant to convict in some rape trials. |