The question is this one: how do I thank someone who went through a traumatic experience
removing condescending parts that, in their essence, silently assume that men - including the question's author - are potential sexual abusers, and imply that something was inherently wrong about being male. This is quite rude to half of the world's population.
This is the comment from the suggested edit. No matter how I read it, I can't understand how it can be condescending.
- Bear in mind they might not want to be touched or even approached. Stay a few feet away.
- be seen as a dad, not as a man, if you think it can help her.
These are the sentences to be removed, according to the comment.
My sentences imply that raped women often see men (all men) as potential abusers because that's what they say in many many testimonials. And it's backed up by health professionals helping women after the assault. I've linked to some reading but didn't think we should have extended the answer to all details of PTSD trauma.
Besides that point, the fact that abused women apply the old saying "once burned, twice shy" doesn't mean I must feel like a horrible man. I don't. But I can understand why they feel and think that way. And I respect that, it doesn't mean I think or say we're all predators. Isn't "better safe than sorry" an explicit/implicit idea that speaks for itself?
What do you think we should do?
I'm rejecting the edit, but does the answer need another paragraph explaining with more depth what's discussed here? Or just ignored? (bad idea IMO) Or a comment? (might be too long to be posted)
