EDUCATING TOWARDS A RAPE-FREE SOCIETY
Not long ago I met this young woman from an old europen nation that has a strong military tradition for both genders. Until recently, their young women were required to endure disfiguering adjustments to their bodies - a procedure aimed at curbing rapes. It was a moving notion, those young 12 year olds making a commitment to being 'less attractive' for the sake of preventing the attracting of the wrong type of attention.
It was not the first time I have come across these type of strategies: young girls, being disfigured to discourage rapists.
We are living in a society that seems to have embraced rape as an unavoidable part of life. It is not.
A society that encourages no-resistance to attacks as a safer alternative: ‘Let the attackers rather rape you that kill you’. Let us face it, there are no warranties – rape is a crime of violence.
I have even come across people claiming rape is used to discourage anti-social behavior in some cultures. Sadly, there are things that cannot be partially discouraged. There are other ways to discipline, ways that do not permeate in the overall community.
There are jobs, professions and organizations that encourage people to consider being raped as part of the job-description, sooner or later unavoidable. And the capacity of dealing with the eventuality as a sign of ‘maturity’. The very way in which people perceive themselves and their bodies is affected!
Where rape is concerned, most structures in place, , deal with the consequences of rape, rather than trying to address its roots. Years ago I attended a workshop of the South Africa Narcotics Organization (SANCA), where participants were encouraged to imagine an ideal future, as far as their jobs in dealing with drug problems was concerned. Some suggested centers where addicts could get the medication required free of charge; others hoped for the financial resources that would enable them to provide counseling to everyone in need of help; and so on, and on. Nobody conceived a drugs free future!! And when suggested, the idea caused major anxiety in people that have worked years towards specializations.
I think it is the same when it comes to rape. People that have specialized in assisting rape victims also need assistance towards moving on, conceptualizing even, the possibility of a rape-free society.
I would like to think of a project, or even an NGO, acknowledging rape as part of the cultures of nations around the world. Researching its roots, and manifestations, and developing educational frameworks to reverse this grotesque learning.
Women have a vital role to play in this regard, as the primary educators in every household.
