Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit Page

Critics argued that the thread provided a platform for rapists to achieve , allowing them to re-frame their crimes in a way that reduced their own shame and decreased the likelihood of them seeking help or changing their behaviour. Media outlets like HuffPost and The Independent highlighted how such public forums could have a "chilling effect" on victims' willingness to report crimes. Academic Legacy: A Study in Psychology

The thread began in July 2012 with a simple but provocative prompt: "Reddit’s had a few threads about sexual assault victims, but are there any redditors from the other side of the story? What were your motivations? Do you regret it?".

Victims were frequently described as sexual objects rather than human beings, a tactic used to distance the perpetrator from the emotional weight of the crime. The Fallout and Public Outcry Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit

Perpetrators often relied on societal myths, such as the belief that "no" actually means "yes" if the person doesn't physically fight back.

Some justified their actions by claiming a lack of control over their hormones, with one infamous commenter stating, "an erect dick has no conscience". Critics argued that the thread provided a platform

The thread became a repository for what advocates call "rape culture" in its most literal form. Researchers who later studied the thread identified several recurring narrative patterns used by perpetrators:

The study found that the majority of respondents did not view themselves as "rapists" because their actions did not fit the Hollywood trope of a "stranger in a dark alley". Instead, most knew their victims—as friends, wives, or acquaintances—and used that familiarity to minimize the severity of the assault. Current Status What were your motivations

Despite its toxicity, the thread provided a rare, unvarnished look at how perpetrators think without the filter of a legal or therapeutic setting. In 2015, researchers from Georgia State University published a study titled “I’m Not a Rapist, but…” which analyzed the thread's comments.