Spike the Rapist *warning for discussion of rape*

[itsnotmymind]

So I read this argument on tumblr, and for the most part I want to stay out of it. But one of the arguers made an argument that disturbed me.

"BUFFY IMMEDIATELY TAKES DAWN FOR SPIKE TO WATCH OVER. DO YOU THINK SHE’D LEAVE DAWN WITH A “RAPIST”? WHEN SHE FINDS CLEM INSTEAD, HE TELLS HER SPIKE LEFT, BUFFY ASKS WHY AND LOOKS WELL BEYOND A LITTLE SAD AS WELL, Y’KNOW WHILE SHE TRIED TO DITCH HER SIS ON “THE RAPIST”…."

In Beneath You, Buffy explicitly states that Spike tried to rape her. She explicitly states he failed because she stopped him. Rationally, we would think that a victim of violence would not continue to trust the person who hurt them, and would not have affectionate feelings for them. But in reality, victims don't always act rationally. A victims having positive feelings towards a person who abused is not evidence that the abuse didn't happen. A victim wanting a person who abused them to stay in their life is not evidence that abuse didn't happen. People are complicated, and these situations are usually more complicated that we give them credit for.

Comments

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

Yeah. their argument totally fails. :/

Buffy's reactions to Spike's actions in no way nullify those actions or make them NOT what they were. :/ (My personal feelings as to whether or not the writing decisions were in character, completely notwithstanding *sigh* )

I think Buffy had no problem leaving Dawn with Spike, because she knew that (for a couple different reasons) he was not a threat to Dawn. 1) He PHYSICALLY COULDN'T hurt Dawn, and 2) he WOULDN'T hurt Dawn. What he tried to do to Buffy came out of his own confused, twisted obsession for her, his messed up interpretation of love and passion and blood and sex and death (that confusing vampire mix we see in so many vampire-centric fiction). Dawn was always like a little sister to him. There's no way he would have ever tried anything like what he did with Buffy, with Dawn. :/

[itsnotmymind.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree that Spike wouldn't hurt Dawn. But still - Buffy shouldn't have taken the risk, especially knowing what state of mind he was in. And Dawn in Grave sounded a bit betrayed about it.

That said, I think the Scoobies' decision to practically give Spike a hand in raising Dawn while Buffy was dead was much more irresponsible.