Over The Bridge
A Mailing List
Purpose of the List
We decided to start this mailing list in response to a book recently released by MIT Press called 'A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion' by Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer. For more information about the book, please visit this site.
Survivors have worked for many years to overcome the myth that they somehow "asked for it" because of what they were wearing, saying or doing. In this book, the authors claim that all men have a natural impulse to rape based on lust and the desire to impregnate as many women as possible. The book goes further to suggest that victims can prevent being rape by "making better decisions about dress, appearance, and social activities."
On this list serve we will discuss the book - its political, social and personal impact - and take appropriate action to prevent the added suffering of survivors caused by these authors' ignorant claims. In that sense, the list will be an on-line support group dedicated to discussing topics relevant to the book.
Guidelines for the List
Due to the sensitivity of the topic, here are a few guidelines to keep the list running smoothly. If you have a question that is not answered here or you would like more information, email the moderators, Lis and Laura.
-This list is open to anyone interested in discussing the book. Both men and women are invited to join, and it is not necessary to be a survivor in order to be welcome
-This list is reserved for topics related to the discussion of the book only
-Subscribers need to keep in mind that some of the posts may be triggering, but if your post is especially triggering, please write the following in your subject title: ** T *
-This is a SUPPORTIVE list. We need to be respectful of everyone's opinions, whether we agree with them or not. Therefore, any flaming, bashing, insulting or judging will not be permitted
More Information
Lis is the owner of the list and Laura also moderates the list. The moderators decide if what you are posting is on-topic and if it's not, we can choose not to post it to the list. Some examples of posts that will not be sent out to the list include:
-Obviously off-topic posts
-Chain letters
-Solicitations unrelated to discussion of the book
-Posts that intentionally bash another member of the list
-Posts that endorse illegal activities including (but not limited to) harrassment, violence, or other threatening types of behavior.
If an individual member causes problems continually, we may choose to ban them from the list. We hope all of our members respect one another so this will never happen. While the moderators have the final say on what is posted to the list, it is not our intention is not to censor anyone, but only to keep the list supportive, safe and useful.
Joining the List:
Click here to subscribe to Over The Bridge or on the Join Onelist Icon below and follow the instructions.
Or, to subscribe via e-mail, send an email message to over_the_bridge-subscribe@onelist.com.
Email us with any questions.
What Else Can You Do to Participate?
In addition to joining this list, we invite you to please check out and considering submitting the Survivor Survey.
We have also added some sample letters on our Onelist Site under the section called "Files." This includes a letter that may be sent to your local bookstores asking them not to help promote this book, as well as a general information letter that can be sent to your local rape crisis center or any other organization that you would like to inform about the book.