I have a piece up on Zelda Lily today that focuses on an accused rapist being brought to justice after 14 years. This is rare, since rape is a crime that exists under a veil of silence and shame.
The audience at Zelda Lily is far different from the readers of this blog, but I would really like to get a discussion going here as well about a subject that is, unfortunately, very near to my heart.
Why do you think there is an inherent disbelief of rape victims? Do cases such as the one referenced in my Zelda Lily piece change that? Is there anything that we as a society can do to change the horrors (and prevalence) of this evil crime?
The audience at Zelda Lily is far different from the readers of this blog, but I would really like to get a discussion going here as well about a subject that is, unfortunately, very near to my heart.
Why do you think there is an inherent disbelief of rape victims? Do cases such as the one referenced in my Zelda Lily piece change that? Is there anything that we as a society can do to change the horrors (and prevalence) of this evil crime?
.JPG)
I don't know why, but it is horrible that that is the case. Unfortunately, I know people who have been in that situation, and it is horrible, but it actually led to cutting off connections with immediate family. I have close friends who work in the psychology field, and am glad that they help those people who don't have anyone else to speak to about these horrors.
ReplyDeletevictims should definitely report it asap
ReplyDeleteThere's an inherent denial issue in admitting such things happen, both for victims and for people in general. It's hard to acknowledge that these horrible acts happen, and we don't want to think about them, so we push them away. This is unfortunate because it makes victims reluctant to report it and people reluctant to listen.
ReplyDeleteKudos for your article and being brave enough to share it openly and frankly with everyone. If more people handled these crimes with the same attitude, there would be less of it happening.
some victims find it embarrassing or shameful that they have been subjected to such an assault and dont want to admit to themselves that its happened....such a horrible and disrespectful thing to do to another human being....people found guilty of it shud b sentenced to death in my opinion....
ReplyDeleteI disagree on the prevalence, but some people start by disbelieving the claimant because our legal system calls for not considering a crime to be committed until it has been proven.
ReplyDeleteThe media, on the other hand, crucifies a rapist just on an accusation - no matter how unfounded.
I think giving no publicity to ongoing cases would help in many areas of justice. A real victim wouldn't have to worry about her history being paraded through the pages of the paper, and an accused man would not have his name publicized unless he were actually convicted.
The 'Slut Walk' came to L.A. last week, after a Toronto police officer’s suggestion that women could avoid being sexually assaulted simply by not dressing like “sluts". Rape is a crime born of anger towards women. It has NOTHING to do with the way a woman dresses. Therefore there should be no shame in coming forward. But, of course, some men have to put the blame on women to take the heat off of themselves.
ReplyDeleteSome men don't believe in rape, for whatever reason. They tell bad jokes (woman with skirt up can run faster than man with trousers down), and then pretend that the woman is either a liar or that she's trying to get her own back for something and making it up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a medieval attitude that needs to change. Sure, some women lie, but they are a small minority. However, some men also lie, claiming they didn't rape knowing that they did and they are the majority of rapists.