In regards to Phil Brown’s recent column about rape, I would like to offer a few pointers.

1. If you are using “legitimate” and “rape” in the same sentence, you do not know what rape means. Take a lesson from Todd Akin.

2. “Someone accused of rape … will be forever stigmatized.” Just like in Steubenville, Ohio, right? This is where CNN portrayed convicted criminals as victims, and Twitter exploded in calling the actual victim a “slut,” “whore,” “stupid” and making threats. When those accused of rape start getting treated as badly as those reporting the crimes that were committed against them, then we’ll talk.

3. You speak of regrets and one night stands, implying buyer’s remorse as a common incident. False reports of rape occur at approximately the same rate as that of other crimes. However, accusers of crimes such as theft are taken to be truthful. We are not expected to consider whether a thief realized he was a criminal before reporting that we were mugged.

4. Women “should avoid bad situations.” You certainly seem to think little of your own sex because you imply that they can not help raping. Your driving metaphor doesn’t fit. Whether or not somebody is driving defensively does not remove the blame from the person who caused the crash and injuries by breaking the law, even if he didn’t realize the speed limit had decreased.

5. “Without pointing any fingers,” you should be more concerned about victims of violence before you start talking about taking them “seriously.” Whereas, you repeatedly point out that there are victims of rape and that it is serious; you quickly follow up with a caution against reporting crimes.

6. I have to give you credit. A victim-blaming article is easier swallowed when presented as concern.