Taexalia

wild.life

Zero Tolerance for Mike Tyson

News today is that a planned corporate event in Glasgow has been cancelled after politicians and groups like Rape Crisis spoke out against the appearance of Mike Tyson. The general message appears to be that showcasing, honouring or otherwise lining the pockets of a convicted rapist is not welcome in Scotland. I'm right there with them.

Mike Tyson was convicted of rape in February 1992 and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. He was released in 1995 after serving 3 years of that sentence.

One might argue that this man has done his time and having paid his debt to society he should be allowed to go about his business.

The problem, for me, is that 3 years in prison is not an adequate punishment for raping a woman. 6 years is not an adequate sentence either. In Scotland I understand that rapists who are actually convicted usually get handed a sentence of 7 years, despite the availability of a maximum life sentence. Most men sentenced to 7 years will usually be free after 3-4 years. It's a disgrace.

The real truth about Scotland and rape is that less than 20% of rapes are actually reported and the conviction rate has fallen to 5%. That means if 100 women are raped, only 20 of them will report it and only 5 men will serve 4 years.***

So whilst I raise my fist in triumph at the message that Mike Tyson is not welcome here because he is a convicted rapist, I'd like to see those politicians who spoke out doing something more to improve the situation in Scotland regarding how rape is treated by Police, the courts and the sentencing.

Scottish women deserve better.

Make a Donation to Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland
BBC article about Mike Tyson

***update***

***@ and I were just discussing this over dinner and he said "Your maths
is wrong..."

And it's true - 5% of 20 is not 5 - it's 1!

So for every 100 women raped in Scotland, one man will spend 3.5 years in prison.

Shocking