Rape: crime against women


I'm sure like me, you were horrified by the terrible gang-rape in India recently and the subsequent death of the victim. Rape is a tragic crime against women that occurs across the world in unacceptable numbers. In India alone, the National Crime Records Bureau shows about 24,200 cases of rape and 228,650 cases of crimes against women have occurred in just 2011 alone - of course this does not count those who do not report their rapes or assaults, who keep quiet as they are simply too afraid or where the police refuse to do anything.

One rape, is one to many.  Rape is unacceptable. 

In the USA, 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18 and 88% are under the age of 30.  Sadly, 54% of rape victims will not report their rape and most rapists will never spend a night in jail. (source).  In 2010, 84 797 women were raped in the USA (27.3 women per 100 000 population, which compares to 1.8 per 100 000 in India).  Without getting bogged down with statistical methodology, it is difficult to compare rape numbers across countries as definitions of what constitutes a rape varies, for example Sweden has a very broad definitions compared to Australia. 

Whilst there is always the debate that some women bring this upon themselves by what they are wearing or by their provocative behaviour. Sadly, most rapes occur when women are just going about their everyday business. Everyday women, old and young, married or single, pretty or plain. Its all about power and pain over women. It isn't about sex.

Rape isn't new (its even mentioned and condemned in the Bible), it has occurred through the centuries and I can't tell you if it is any worse now than in times gone by. (Some) men see women as objects to take when they want and that, sadly, hasn't changed.  Men need to take control of their behaviour - rape is wrong no matter.

Many rapes are by men who know their victim.

However, I will admit that the attitude of the modern woman has changed and not for the better . . they are more likely to be wearing clothing that shows more flesh (provocative) and have a more flirtatious behave that some men read as "wanting sexual attention". Of course, that is precisely what some women are wanting . . . sex. These confusing signals make it very difficult for some men (in particular younger men) to "read" what a woman is wanting or asking for. This, however, never excuses any man from taking advantage of a women, even one that you know.

Some men though are just evil and rape women as a form of power and to conflict pain and terror onto someone else and it doesn't really matter the age of woman or what she is wearing.

As parents, we do need to teach our sons a few simple things: respect women (all women), men can't have everything they want or desire and must take control of themselves - women are not objects just to be taken even if they are sending out confusing messages.  Of course, for young Christian men this shouldn't be difficult at all, but sadly even Christian men can fall into this evil vice. But perhaps, don't go to those sorts of places where you are mostly likely to be tempted and see (witness) behaviour that is far from Christian . . . e.g. the nightclub scene.

My advice to women - and its here that I would like to say that women shouldn't have to do these things to prevent rape, it would be wonderful to be living in a world where men knew it was very wrong to rape a woman:
  • stay in groups if going out at night, even if going to a restaurant
  • know who you are with
  • don't walk down dark alleyways or streets that are empty of people
  • don't catch public transport late at night (better to ring home for a ride - have a plan)
  • be careful about taking an offer of a ride in a car if you don't know the person very well
  • be careful what you are drinking and how much - alcohol affects clarity of thought and behaviour 
  • be thoughtful about what you do wear as it does give off a sexual message whether you like that or not (and it doesn't mean you need to dress like a nun)
  • be particularly be careful how you do behave around men (e.g. being flirtatious) as the message you are giving out may be mis-interpreted or confused, even to men you do know.   
When I am at home alone, I always have the front door locked and I only talk to people through the screen door. I don't let strange men into the house unless I have the dogs close by or someone is at home with me.

This world is full of evil and we need to protect our girls and give them the skills they will need as women. We can't lock our girls up and we don't want to be lock up ourselves, but we do need to be careful (but not fearful) and watchful for other women.  Men need to learn that rape is WRONG.

And before stepping out, pray for your safety. The Lord is always with you.

Don't tell your daughter not to go out, tell your sons to behave properly
(quote from a newspaper reader)

Comments

  1. I was reading and article on this topic the other day.

    “Sexual assault” is the current legal term that replaced the narrow definition of rape, though some states (USA) use the terms interchangeably. One definition of sexual assault is: any type of sexual behaviour or contact where consent is not freely given or obtained and is accomplished through force, intimidation, violence, coercion, manipulation, threat, deception, or abuse of authority.

    Sexual assault affects millions of women, men, and children worldwide. Even with less than 40% of all sexual assaults being reported, the statistics are still overwhelmingly high: One in four women and one in six men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetimes. We often forget that men are assaulted as well.

    According to the Bureau of Justice (USA), women 16 to 19 years old have the highest rate of sexual victimization of any age group. Statistics show that 15 percent of sexual assault victims are under age 12 years old, 29 percent are ages 12 to 17, and 80 percent are under age 30. The highest risk years are ages 12 to 34, and girls ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual assault.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sexual assault is very broad and covers far more than rape and you are quite right, affects so many women, girls (and men) that its horrifying. Many of these assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows, a parents, sibling or other family member + partners and ex-partners. Its a terrible tragedy that we are likely to see an end to anytime soon.

      Delete
  2. (its even mentioned and condoned in the Bible),
    Did you mean to say condemned?

    ReplyDelete
  3. The statistics are horrible - and you are right, a lot of people wouldn't report it because they feel guilt about it even if it isn't their fault. A LOT of fear surrounds a rape victim and it truly changes their life completely; they are never the same person again after it has happened... It is a heinous abominable atrocious crime.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment