One of the most dangerous and dismissive talking points circulating today is the claim that “men don’t need to be trans to rape women because men will
One of the most dangerous and dismissive talking points circulating today is the claim that “men don’t need to be trans to rape women because men will rape women anyway.” This argument attempts to downplay very real concerns about safeguarding women and girls by reframing the conversation as an attack on a specific group. But let’s take a deeper look at why this argument falls apart under scrutiny.
Men Have Always Positioned Themselves for Power Over Women
Men who seek to dominate and harm women will go wherever power, control, and access take them. History and lived reality show us that men infiltrate spaces of trust and authority with intentionality. They are teachers, doctors, coaches, clergy, therapists, caregivers, foster parents, scout leaders, sports officials, correctional officers, counselors, and more. Predatory men position themselves in places where they have access to women and children with as little resistance and scrutiny as possible.
Consider this:
- Men don’t need to be priests to molest children, yet many have become priests to do so.
- Men don’t need to be teachers to abuse students, yet many have become teachers to do so.
- Men don’t need to be foster parents to exploit children, yet many have become foster parents to do so.
- Men don’t need to be coaches, youth mentors, or camp counselors to groom children, yet many take those positions to do exactly that.
The pattern is clear: when men want access to victims with minimal obstacles, they position themselves accordingly.
Why Would This Be Any Different?
If predatory men seek out trusted roles like clergy or youth mentors to commit crimes against children, why wouldn’t they seek out opportunities in women’s shelters, domestic violence crisis centers, or even prisons under the guise of self-identifying as women? Why would we assume that men who are willing to commit unspeakable acts will suddenly develop boundaries and respect when it comes to exploiting gender identity policies?
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and various criminology studies confirm that predators go where the victims are—and where they are least likely to be challenged. Whether it’s a hospital, a dormitory, or a crisis center, men who want power over women will find ways to gain access.
Laws, Policies, and Ideological Cover Create New Opportunities
When systems make it easier for men to enter women’s protected spaces without question, some will take full advantage. We have already seen cases where men convicted of heinous crimes against women have been transferred into women’s prisons because of gender identity claims. Some have gone on to commit further assaults.
It is not about questioning anyone’s identity; it is about recognizing a pattern of predatory behavior and ensuring that safeguarding policies are not dismantled in the name of ideology.
Survivors’ Realities Must Take Precedence Over Political Talking Points
The most dangerous aspect of the “men don’t need to be trans to rape women” argument is that it dismisses women’s right to set boundaries in their own spaces. It implies that women should be silent about risks to their safety because men are already a threat in other ways. This is a silencing tactic—and one that Survivors know all too well.
Survivors have the right to say NO to anything that increases their risk of harm. We don’t accept this logic in any other area of life. We don’t tell victims of financial fraud, “Well, scammers will always find ways to steal money, so why have security measures?” We don’t tell victims of police brutality, “Well, bad cops will always exist, so why push for reforms?” Yet when women demand protections in their spaces, they are accused of fear-mongering.
The reality is simple: Predatory men go where the doors are open. The fewer barriers they face, the more harm they can do.
To protect women and girls, we must reject dismissive rhetoric that silences Survivors. Instead, we must continue demanding strong, reality-based safeguarding policies that prioritize the safety of women and children—not the political convenience of those who want us to look the other way.
