this post was submitted on 07 Oct 2026
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It was just after 2 a.m. on a pitch-black Friday morning when Bernadette Greene-Placentia’s life changed. The Democratic candidate for Congressional District 8 strolled across a parking lot to repair a damaged campaign sign. It was a routine she’d followed all summer. This time, she only made it a few yards.

An attacker smashed her over the head. She blacked out. She woke up to find a strange man on top of her.

Greene-Placentia struggled to open her eyes. She felt a sharp pain below her waist. The attacker was pulling his penis out of her.

She heard him mumble something like, “-ic bitch, not a very good fuck,” which her mind filled in as “Democratic bitch,” she recalled. She wasn’t sure that was exactly what he said.

One leg was out of her jean capris. She wore brand-new tennis shoes and a campaign t-shirt. Another man came over. Greene-Placentia felt his weight nudging her left leg further apart. She began swinging her foot at him. “Not even worth it,” she heard the man say as he moved away. He wore black boots and had small feet, she recalled.

The two men left Greene-Placentia face down in the parking lot. The hatch of her silver Jeep Grand Cherokee was still open. The car was still running. She heard music.

She doesn’t remember pulling up her pants or picking herself off the asphalt parking lot. She doesn’t remember closing her Jeep’s hatch and putting her foot on the gas. She doesn’t remember pulling her car into the driveway and collapsing into her bed.

“It’s just these little tiny flashes of things that I do remember,” Greene-Placentia said in an interview with Phoenix New Times. “As much as I don’t want to remember, I’ve tried very, very hard to remember more stuff. But that’s where I’m at.”

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[–] vithigar@lemmy.ca 117 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Completely insane that there are comments here assigning any degree of blame to her for this situation. The fact that it was 2 in the morning isn't an invitation to rape or be otherwise assaulted.

Hell, I don't care if someone were nude and fixing a sign that advertised their services as a prostitute. Still not "asking for it".

[–] stickyprimer@lemmy.world 16 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I’ve been shocked and disgusted to learn the mundane activities that my wife considers too unsafe to risk. Not just being out alone at 2am, not just being out alone at night, but being out alone at all. I go for solitary hikes in the woods to restore myself but she won’t even walk her German shepherd in an area where she can’t see other people at all times.

I mention all this not to say “these are the rules - women should know to follow them.”

I mention all this with outrage that anyone anywhere should ever feel like they need to live this way. These are completely unreasonable limits for any human being. It truly breaks my heart that my loved one will never know the joy of sitting meditative at a mountain peak looking out over the valley where we live, or know the pleasure of walking her dog under the stars.

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 315 points 6 days ago (48 children)

I'm sick and tired of men telling me that rape culture doesn't exist, that rape victims should have done something different, they should have worn something different, they should have not gone out alone, I'm fucking sick of all of it.

We have a problem with misogyny and rape in this country. It doesn't exist in a vacuum on its own.

Trump is merely a symptom of the rot.

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 80 points 6 days ago (4 children)

I was listening to an excerpt of Jimmy Carr interview a few days ago in which he was arguing that one of best ways to combat toxic masculinity was to encourage young men to go down to the pub with the lads. That men in groups will keep checks on others within the group.

I respect Carr and his crusade against toxic masculinity, but I am a guy and a lifelong feminist (thanks mom) that grew up in an extremely misogynistic culture. Sure, my friends would have kept me in check, but that's because we were always a mixed gender and sexuality group. Most "lads" crews I knew, once drunk and rowdy, were more likely to gang rape a girl than not if she told them off. Sorry Jimmy, humans are still way to close to close to chimp to be left unchecked.

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[–] Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip 58 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Tbh we also have a problem with misogyny on the threadiverse.

Why does this have downvotes? Someone got raped and OP is justifiably mad about the state of things, why do people here feel that's something to take issue with?

We really like to feel progressive and like we're fighting the good fight here, until someone posts a sexist meme and you see what the comment section looks like, and it becomes clear a lot of folks haven't interrogated how they look at women or women's issues even a little bit since leaving reddit

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 63 points 6 days ago (10 children)

Some of the downvotes are because I am one of the few voices on the fediverse speaking out against those sexist memes and such. There are some people that don't like outspoken women and I have a few stalkers that are very dedicated.

But as you can see from other comments, there is a problem with misogyny here. The kneejerk questioning of rape victims is just one sign of it.

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[–] Mulligrubs@lemmy.world 49 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (19 children)

I think it's much more prevalent than people want to admit.

Otherwise, spontaneous gang rapes wouldn't occur with such frequency. Why are there always so many men that are up for it randomly? What are the odds, yeah? Seriously, that wouldn't be possible if it was a rarity.

They'll rape animals and men, too, because they're rapists. Women and children are smaller, so they are preyed on much more, but if all women disappeared tomorrow, they'd still rape whomever/whatever else they could.

Sure, this could be a political ploy in this case, I know nothing. But the reason such a ploy is believable is because it's so common.

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[–] tacoplease@lemmy.world 23 points 4 days ago

I believe this is a case where rape was weaponized specifically against the victim, to teach the Democratic bitch a lesson for running for office; the second attacker just gave up cause the point was already made. I believe many women experienced the same due to their support of the suffrage movement 100 years ago.

Heinous and despicable act by fascist Republicans.

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 198 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

Every time rape culture comes into the limelight, I remember a party in college where a friend, well call her blue, was so drunk she was pants-off propositioning several people. All of us were like "Blue if you're down tomorrow, that's cool. But like, go to bed."

Not Nick. Name not redacted. I went into their room and cock blocked. Straight to Nick "brother you're way more cogent than her. This is rape, and everyone here knows it."

Or, sorry to both sides here, but the time Jenna, name not redacted, came downstairs with a suggestive giggle and grin after we had all just helped our friend James (not his name) to bed, in his own home at his house for a graduation party. Jenna, that was rape. And I said it out loud to you in front of everyone. And you giggled like it was cute.

There's a small percentage of humans among us that don't respect others autonomy. They need to be outed. They need to be held accountable. We need them away from the rest of us.

Fuck you Nick. Fuck you Jenna.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 87 points 6 days ago

Thanks for being the type of person to call that shit out in the moment.

[–] daannii@lemmy.world 46 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

I saved a friend of mine from a similar situation. I was living in a house with 5 people. She was shit faced. I came home and found her in the shower. Clothed. Passed out.

I got her changed (we were pretty close friends). And put her to bed.

Like a bit later I get up to check on her. Cause people can die from alcohol poisoning. I See her door is open. Go in and a fucking guy is in her bed.

Can you believe that !?

Some shit stain that was there for the party, from one of the other housemates was throwing.

I flipped out on him and cussed him out. He called me a bitch. Told me to mind my own fucking business. She was into it. ..

He really wasn't going to leave. I am pretty sure I threatened him with violence. (This was like 20 years ago).

Man, I was so angry. I'm still angry when I think about it.

I remember it was actually really hard to get him to leave. He didn't think I had any right to tell him he couldn't rape my friend. I do recall there being a lot of yelling.

I did finally get him to leave. And I told the housemate about it but she honestly didn't care.

Next day I told my friend some shitty guy was in her bed but I chased him off. I tried to recall what he looked like. So she could figure out who he was. But I don't think we figured it out for sure.

And cautioned her about Ashley's "friends".

She said she got in the shower because she realized how drunk she was and thought it would sober her up. And didn't remember much after that.

Thank God I got off work in time.

A woman underestimates her alcohol consumption one fucking time and the vultures swoop in. In her own place.

Not safe anywhere.

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[–] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 13 points 4 days ago

This is so fucked up. The events suggest she was being survielled so the attackers knew her routine. It follows they intentionally damaged the sign knowing she would go out in the middle of the night to fix it (she said herself it was a routine). Also they picked a sign that wasn't near a camera.

Not only are they rapists, they're terrorists (because it's pollitically motivated). Are there more people insthe group? Are they being funded? Who's giving them money?

What's really fucked up, is that the FBI should investigate this, but they won't because they, like other parts of the government are compromised (by MAGA).

[–] Salamanderwizard@lemmy.world 38 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I fucking hate rapists with every fiber of my being. I'd skin god alive if it meant I could torture every single rapists that has ever walked this forsaken planet. The soulless, mindless, evil you have to have in you to force yourself on someone .

My partner is a survivor, and I swear on any god that is listening if I ever get the chance, god have mercy on my soul the things I would do to them.

Fucking sick motherfuckers.

[–] daannii@lemmy.world 102 points 5 days ago (5 children)

I'm sure the cops will definitely use the flock cameras to identify her attackers.

/s

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 38 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Wouldnt you know it, it happened in a gap of camera coverage. This wouldnt have happened of the liberals hadnt been pro-rape and forced us to get rid of the cameras that would have caught this! We should get 30,000,000 dollars in new funding to expand AI cameras across the area!

/s

I feel so sorry for this poor woman having to endure this, It is a terrible violation and tragedy.. but if it happened specifically because of her politics, then that opens a very very dark door for our future, and thats saying something considering rape is already a dark door in and of itself.

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[–] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 120 points 6 days ago (4 children)

This is horrific, and sounds like actual terrorism in that it is a violent act with an apparent political motive. I hope she is safe and gets justice for what was done to her.

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[–] UpperBroccoli@feddit.org 63 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Fellow men:

Believe women. Do not allow mysogyny in your circles. Don't even laugh at the jokes. Speak out. When you hear people talk about having harmed a woman or planning to, report it. Don't just go on the internet and say you're a feminist or support women - actually do it, every day.

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[–] LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world 69 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I understand the memory block the trauma of rape can cause. My ex drugged and raped me in my own home, in my own bedroom, during my own goddamn birthday party with family and friends just a shout away. Everyone thought I was just super fucking drunk, as I had turned 21 and was drinking heavily. I was drunk, but the drugs I was given in the last drinky ex gave me had me unable to stand within minutes. My ex told everyone he'd go tuck me in so I could rest and everyone thought the last of the alcohol I'd had hit me all at once. He essentially dragged me to my bed and tossed me onto it like a sack of potatoes. I didn't pass out as quickly as I would have liked. The drugs paralyzed me and I was very much aware of the things my ex was doing, but I couldn't do a damn thing about it. Thankfully I passed out before he started the penetrative part of the rape. I woke up naked and in awful pain all over, but especially down there. I often sleep nude or nearly nude because I get overheated easily, so I didn't think anything of it and figured the pain was just a hangover.

I blocked out all memory for five years as a survival mechanism and my mental health tanked when the memories came back. It took another three years for me to seek therapy. All of the evidence is circumstantial, as he wore protection or was just unable to cum. There were no witnesses and no concrete evidence other than my memories that resurfaced, me waking up naked, and the pain.

The mental healing has been so rough. I can't imagine what this woman is going through. Her experience sounds far more traumatic than mine was. I hope she can get the help she deserves and needs and that the bastards who hurt her get what's coming to them. I will never get justice for what happened to me, but I hope every other victim can.

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[–] lemmygarden@lemmy.today 25 points 5 days ago

I went to Fox News to read the comment section about this. It's as expected - vile and calling her a liar.

[–] Zier@fedia.io 84 points 6 days ago (39 children)

This is a horrific story. We need stronger laws surrounding rape. I guarantee you, that if republican men were being raped, we would have death penalty laws against rape.

[–] KeithD@lemmy.nz 38 points 5 days ago (2 children)

What's needed is not stronger laws so much as consistent and motivated enforcement of the existing laws. If nobody is bothering to investigate the crimes that are reported, fewer victims are going to report crimes, and the perpetrators are going to be emboldened.

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[–] ZC3rr0r@piefed.ca 25 points 5 days ago (2 children)

At the risk of being called a "not all men apologist" here, I, as a man, can't fathom how anyone could be motivated to rape someone. The mere thought of violating consent to such a degree is physically repulsive to me. And to then add physical assault to that and violate someone who is unconscious, I am at a loss for words. In fact, I can't even being to imagine how you can even go through with that act physically.

At some level it makes me think that the people perpetrating these acts aren't even human, but that's also a way too convenient excuse to let them off the hook. The really challenging part for me (and I suppose many other men) is accepting that they ARE human, and they walk among us. I have no idea how to deal with this, legitimately.

I always presume that everyone I meet is a reasonable, non-violent, "normal" person, and it's things like this (rape statistic numbers) that shatter that world view to the point of leaving me simultaneously feeling incredibly angry, powerless, and paranoid about my fellow humans.

I am so sorry for her and all other victims who've had to experience something so far beyond what I can even begin to imagine, and I know that nothing I say here will make a difference. I hope you're able to heal back to some semblance of yourself before this happened to you, and I will support both monetarily and vocally any effort to eradicate this behaviour from our societies.

Downvote me if you want for providing this personal perspective in a thread about a victim (and victims) of rape. I don't intend to grandstand here, take attention away from the victim(s), or make myself look like some sort of white knight. I just need a place to share my perspective and I hope Lemmy will allow me to do so.

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[–] QueenHawlSera@piefed.social 69 points 6 days ago (6 children)

I can already hear the Republicans making fucked up jokes about this.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 41 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Don't worry, we have proclaimed leftists claiming she's making this all up for attention right here.

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[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 58 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I hope she succeeds in life, and that those two men are killed. Rapists, just like unjustifiable killers, have no place among humanity.

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[–] Gpennyhigh@lemmy.world 21 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Another horrible crime, and makes me question how people become abusive and controlling criminals, and research points to the theory of "cycle of shitty people", punching down on others, taking their turn, and this is normalized as macho, but it's toxic. The abuse in homes, military, sports, frats, politics, it's all related. Yes, not all turn out abusive and help to break the dysfunctional cycle is needed. Some people will read this and let their egos flare up and insist the healthy ways are "woke". They'll vote for the violent types again, and their female loved ones are worse off for all this toxic pollution. This is not an excuse, but hurt people need therapy, healthy community and healthcare to recover.

When someone becomes controlling or abusive, the clearest drivers are childhood maltreatment and witnessing violence between caregivers. Research using ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores shows a dose-response pattern: people with higher ACE counts face dramatically elevated odds of perpetrating violence later in life. These experiences normalize coercion, damage emotional regulation, and create insecure attachment. The pathway is learned behavior and cumulative trauma.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 15 points 5 days ago (1 children)

We need better sex education in this country as well. We need to teach our youth what consent looks like and what lack of consent looks like. There's so much that goes into this that is ignored for the status quo.

[–] the_crotch@sh.itjust.works 28 points 5 days ago (11 children)

That would certainly help in some cases, but in this particular one there's a 0% chance these guys were confused about consent. They simply didn't care.

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[–] Avicenna@programming.dev 32 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (30 children)

wow, I don't think people like this can be repaired. They should be locked away for life (with minimal comforts, basically a monk like life) and that energy should be spent on their kids and younger generation. Except ofcourse we are talking about the Trump administration, Trump probably thinks she got what she deserved. So yeah, quite hopeless.

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[–] mfed1122@discuss.tchncs.de 21 points 5 days ago (10 children)

The comments on the site being 90% people saying the whole story is fake really takes the cake... Fuck this society oh my god

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[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 19 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Holy goddamned fuck. That's awful and also terrifying that someone would be so bold as to do this to someone running for congress. I sincerely hope the cops actually give a shit about sexual violence for once in this case.

ETA: I want to add in that while I hate calling every crime terrorism, this sure feels like an act of terrorism intended to scare women away from running for office as democrats.

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[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 42 points 5 days ago

Well, even if this was politically motivated, she's not a conservative and doesn't have the name Charlie Kirk, so Republicans won't give a flying fuck.

[–] f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyz 34 points 5 days ago

Wow. Top Ten Incels of Lemmy are all here, and I know I'm not even seeing all of the comments because some are already blocked.

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