There are societies where rape is almost unknown. Two sets of researchers, forty years apart, found what separates them from ours: hierarchy. Male violence is a setting, not a fact.

Denmark tops the equality rankings AND Europe’s partner violence table at the same time. It’s called the Nordic Paradox, and it exposes the lie we were sold: that closing the pay gap would stop him hitting her.

We hand girls a faceless monster and point them at the shadows. We never tell them to look at the lanyard. On the myth that protects the trusted man, and the case that proves it.