Rape. A word often flashed and spread on the news and social media. Just a little heads up, I am not a rape victim but I would like to share opinion on this matter. Some people might agree with me and some people might not. I might get hate for this but this is what I strongly believe in and have no intentions of changing it.
Go on any social media sites, awareness pertaining the demands of women equality is often the talk-about topic. Looking at feminism over the years, the then taboo label has definitely been shredded. The escape of feminism can never be done on any social media as everyone has an opinion to this - positive and negative. What is my opinion on this? Well for starters, I am a feminist. There I said it. I have always been an in-the-closet feminist as I was scared of the aftermath of me revealing it but guess what? I am no longer ashamed of being a feminist. I might get disagreements on this matter, but I stand strongly on this belief.
This post is rather not emphasizing on the fact that I am feminist but this is a post for all those people who have the audacity to victim-shame rape victims. Recently, I read a post made by a guy on Instagram where he wrote a message advising all females out there to cover up to avoid getting rape. He started off by admitting that males get sexually aroused rather easily. Because of this facile, we as females should cover up to prevent the happening of rape upon us. He then goes on saying that when we dress appropriately, we will earn the respect of guys as guys are not interested in girls who dress rather provocatively. He made a few statements here and there as well but I cannot recall word-by-word. The worst part to this case, that particular post got so many positive feedback from people. Comments on praises and their expression of gratitude to his advice were flocking on that post. A particular individual even made a comment thanking him for not conforming into society's standard of "beauty" and that person's faith in humanity is restored. Please do not get me started on that comment made, I am going nuts. Want to hear a joke? These supposedly internet netizens commenting are by.. wait for it - females.
It really mind boggles me about the fact that these comments being made are from females. My gender. How can any female out there even allow themselves to swallow this piece of advice and agree to this? This makes me honestly rather despondent knowing that females are not standing up for themselves. However to brighten up the situation, there were a few females who disagreed to this and voiced their opinion on that post. Kudos to them.
I would like to start off first by saying that rape is never the victim's fault. Females should be able to not feel insecure about their decision on their attire chose in any social settings. I am not saying that for just females, any individual as a matter including males and transsexuals should not need to feel insecure. Growing up, we as females were told to dress in a certain way to avoid any harmful situations upon ourselves. The question here is this, why do we as females need to dress to prevent? Not sure whether this applies for most females but growing up, I was constantly told not to go out in revealing clothes as apparently this gives an avenue for rape. Apparently wearing short shorts or tight clothes provides people the same exact message as walking around in the streets with a "rape me" cardboard.
Google rape prevention and you will be flooded with all sorts of illogical and logical ways for prevention. The common advice women receive are tips for “how not to get raped” – stay sober, don’t go anywhere alone at night – basically, to not put ourselves in a situation that might get us raped. This kind of strategy is wrong and preserves the power structures that perpetuate violence. Rape is not about sex, it’s about power; it’s about someone dominating someone else. When we blame sexual assault victims, we tell them it was their fault and that they should have known better. Rape has become downplayed at times in our society, and we aren’t shocked when it happens. It's always the same old questions. Was she drunk? Did she "lead him on''? What was she wearing? Why did she go out alone? . Victim blaming perpetuates the idea that rape is normal. So what if she is dressed in a tight dress? So what if she had a couple of drinks? So what if she lead him on but decided against it at the end? So what if she has slept with hundred of guys? Here is an example, if the statement "It was her fault for dressing provocative, she was asking for it" is true, then I guess I can go around hitting every individual's head with a hammer. I mean they are not wearing a helmet, they are kind of asking for it. These are not reasons to be used as triggers for rape. Victim blaming is telling a girl her rape didn’t mean anything because she was sexually active. Victim blaming is telling a girl she should expect to get raped if she dresses a certain way or tells someone she wants to have sex and then says “no” later. Victim blaming is an all too common response to sexual assault in our culture and it needs to stop, period.
Going back to my aforementioned post, I understand that the posting of that guy was written for prevention with good intentions. However I am sorry, but I have to disagree with every single statement he made in that posting. Rape happens to everyone, female, male, kids and even animals. When an individual is thirsty, all means and ways will be used to quench one's thirst. Contradicting his statement, I will say that our clothing choices are not the leading causes behind rape. Heck, I could be parading around with an astronaut suit and still get raped if I am surrounded by individuals who are sexually aroused. About the tendency of males getting sexually aroused easily, this is absolutely not an excuse. When I am hungry, do you see me running into a restaurant and just literally taking every plate off the counter like a crazy mad lady shoving them down my throat? No. Also, why is he emphasizing on the respect of males to be earned? I am sorry to burst your bubble but we females do not revolve around you males and the only respect we really need is self-respect.
After reading this post, I might sound like some man eater or hater, whatever. But I am not, I believe in gender equality and this is my opinion. I would like to end by saying that society need to stop blaming rape victims and start acknowledging the real issue – society does not tell men to not rape, it tells women to not get raped.
Cheers.
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