rape

Am disgusted today. Just read an article (http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=148&a=718154) about a 15 year old girl that was put in prison, for no apparent reason, in a cell together with 20 men for one month. And yes, she was raped. Several times and forced to perform sexual favours against food. Regretfully, I have to say that putting 1 girl together with 20 men in a prison cell one cannot really expect a different outcome. I'm scared that I think this way, but enough reports, books and experience have taught me that the outcome of the scenario is inevitable. However, it seems like the policemen in the Para region capital Abaetetuba in Brazil could not imagine this outcome, or even the risk of such action. Surprising, especially considering that this was the 2nd similar case in that region where the same thing happened to a 23-year old girl who was put in a cell with 70!!! men.

An extreme example perhaps. But the basic fact stands that many men for some reason believe that they have the right to do what they want with women. And this belief grows deeper the bigger the number of men you put together. Raping someone is one of the worst acts possible, gang rape is of course not better. However, neither seem to get the attention deserved as rapes become ever more frequent especially in times of armed conflicts but also between "lovers", in the homes of people living in countries in peace. Perhaps one of the misunderstandings is the look on women's bodies as objects, so common in the world. An object does not have feelings right? An object can be used as a weapon. The worst example here might be the recent situation in Saudi Arabia where a woman and a man were stopped by a gang of men and raped. And then, they, the two victims, where judged to get whipped. When the woman protested the number of beatings went up and a 6 months prison sentence was added. Because of world protests this sentance has now been cancelled. But the frightening part persists - how can a state condemn a rape victime to punishment???

On rape and the horrible effects it has one the victims and their surroundings the following materials might be of interest: "Rape: A love story" by Joyce Carol Oates, "Jenny" by Jonas Gardell, "Irréversible" à movie from 2002, and perhaps for some more facts: "Women in an insecure world - Violence against women", DCAF publication http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/kms/details.cfm?ord279=title&q279=women&lng=en&id=28582&nav1=4