Feminist Germaine Greer claims being raped by a stranger is less harmful than having a partner indifferent to sex Women’s rights campaigners say the controversial academic’s comments are damaging to women

Germaine Greer has received a backlash against her latest controversial comments about rape.

The feminist has said being raped by a stranger is less psychologically harmful than having a partner who is indifferent to having sex with you.

Her new opinions come after she was criticised for describing rape as not being a “spectacularly violent crime” but rather “lazy, careless and insensitive” bad sex.

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Many have taken to social media to attack The Female Eunuch author’s words – particularly given the #MeToo movement era.

What exactly did Germaine say?

In an article for The Australian, the writer claimed “perfunctory [that is, an action carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort] sex is not criminal but it is damaging”.

“That might be thought to suggest that we should differentiate between ‘vicious rape’ and perfunctory sex,” she said.

The 79-year-old said the emotional fall-out from a loved one is far more damaging than a sexual attack.

“Neglect and indifference from a loved one are far more corrosive of self-esteem and ultimately more spiritually damaging than a random attack from a stranger, however violent,” she said.

She also addressed the hot topic of consent in the feature, saying that when a woman who has sex under pressure from her partner when she doesn’t really feel like it, “giving in is not consenting”.

She wrote: “Before entering into ‘sex’ she is now expected to declar­e that she consents, and not grudgingly but enthusiastically. There is even an app for her to record this in her phone. She may withdraw this consent at any time — if she can find her phone, and if it has any battery power left.

“And what of the woman whose partner comes home from the pub and starts pulling her about? In the morning she has to get kids off to school and herself to work and figures she might as well give in as opposed to wasting precious sleeping time fighting him off. Giving in is not consenting.”

Comments show ‘lack of respect for rape victims’

Aus outlets/orgs: stop this now. Greer is not an authority on this subject just by virtue of being a "feminist" (debatable) and a woman. We do not need to give her this platform. Consider how many survivors you are harming by elevating her frankly dangerous ideas on rape. pic.twitter.com/GcT6gNC4Yg — Outrage cereal morning! ???? (@mdixonsmith) August 24, 2018

Political group the Women’s Equality Party argued Greer’s comments were damaging in the drive to tackle sexual violence.

A spokesperson told i: “Greer is right that we need a nationwide conversation about the prevalence of sexual violence against women. And she’s right to highlight the psychological harms done to women by close partners.

“But there doesn’t need to be an ‘either/or’ choice between what kind of violence is worse. There’s an epidemic going on and it’s never been more necessary to understand the entire spectrum of it.

“One woman’s value judgements about what matters and what doesn’t harms other women and contributes to an idea that the problem is for women to solve, rather than that men must be held accountable for their actions.”

She said the party will be soon launching a new campaign to address the legal issues surrounding sexual violence.

Greer's lack of respect for victims of rape is reprehensible – end your FB friendship with me if you think this is in any way defendable. — goremau123 (@goremau123) August 25, 2018

Violent stranger rape v sexual disinterest from long term partner?

You cannot conflate the two-both cause separate long term emotional & psych harm.

V irreponsible comments- Greer needs to speak to victims of violent rape to see just how destructive it is https://t.co/dfFNT0NqW3 — Aisha Ali-Khan #StayHomeSaveLives (@aak1880) August 25, 2018

But Greer had some people defending her comments.

Excellent item by Germaine Greer, undercut by an unfair remark at the end about ‘male heartlessness’. Says: rape must not be generalised to mean any kind of unwelcome sex. https://t.co/5dolXZKGoa — Michael O'Rourke (@Michael99908062) August 24, 2018

‘Most rape is lazy’

Back in May, Greer drew intense criticism for claiming”most rape is just lazy, just careless, just insensitive (sex)”.

She said: “Most rapes don’t involve any injury whatsoever. We are told it’s one of the most violent crimes in the world – bullsh**,’ she said in an interview.

When asked what punishment would be appropriate for men guilty of rape, she said: “Two hundred hours of community service would do me”.