Rape, crime and violence

“It is a shame that our society sometimes treats victims of rape like dirt, and never ceases to point fingers at them, while being much more lenient to the culprits, who are not hounded out as they should be. In a traumatic experience, like rape, the victim needs support. Rape is perhaps, one of the most major crimes, as it invades a woman’s utmost privacy, and can cause a lifetime of damage.”
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by Kanthimala Ratnakara

(April 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Rape, crime and violence have reached alarming proportions in our country recently. It seems as if not a day passes without some horrific murder or rape taking place. What are we as citizens doing about it?

I think the time has come, for all religious leaders to appear together on the electronic media and make an appeal on this. It seems to me that this has happened with a decrease in spirituality and in religious values. Undoubtedly, years of war, and army deserters have also caused a deterioration in values, principles and all held sacred earlier. But can we go on blaming circumstances and do nothing about it?

The latest crime seems to be abduction. Those on the prowl seem to be on the lookout for rich youngsters; spoilt brats who have too much money, brag and swagger about on the strength of their parents bank balances, and make friends with them. But there are the innocent too, who are sometimes dragged into this through circumstances beyond their control.

It has come to a stage, when so many of us, devoid of large bank balances or business interests, are living in fear, whenever our children are out of our sight. We are all aware that the Prime Minister has more than enough on his plate to deal with, and it seems unfair to heap more burdens on him. But as he seems to be the only one in whom the people still have confidence, he will have to bring in some drastic measures to deal with this breakdown in law and order, with the help of religious leaders.

Let us first look at the recent spate of rape; schoolgirls, women in general and even grandmothers have not been spared. With the last category, one is aware that respect for elders is no longer present. Rape, is a most horrific crime; quite apart from the horrific nature of the deed, it usually causes irreparable damage, to the victim both mentally and physically.

In spite of penalties for rape although not stiff enough, we still hear of it happening, almost as a daily occurrence, although we still have a degree of unreported cases due to the shame factor. The problem is deep-rooted, particularly in the rural areas; if a girl is not virgin at the time of marriage, it is considered humiliating for her family.

Some rape victims complain of harassment and a lack of sympathy from the police and even in cross examination in court, where they are made to feel like the perpetrator and not the victim. This attitude has to change. Authorities must recognize and other acts of violence against women, are crimes against society.

Rape must be considered the most heinous crime against women. It is a ‘power’ crime. From time immemorial, women have been considered the weaker sex, so it is a case of the powerful overwhelming the powerless. Women, sadly are sometimes still considered as symbols of male ownership, and rape can sometimes be the result of wanting to insult a man and thus his honour. This perception must change, for the situation to do so.

Rape, crime

The consensus of opinion, seems to indicate a need for more programmes, via the media, to focus on the issue of rape. Schools should have lectures and conduct seminars, to make children aware of the dangers of rape. It is a sensitive issue, but we cannot continue to hide our heads in the sand, and refuse to face it. Awareness programmes, using case studies, would be an effective method of warning children and their parents, about rape: so as to show them how to deal with the situation legally, without bowing to social norms and ignoring the issue.

It is a shame that our society sometimes treats victims of rape like dirt, and never ceases to point fingers at them, while being much more lenient to the culprits, who are not hounded out as they should be. In a traumatic experience, like rape, the victim needs support. Rape is perhaps, one of the most major crimes, as it invades a woman’s utmost privacy, and can cause a lifetime of damage. This is increased by abuse from the community.

Social perceptions of gender rules, are a contributory factor, in violence against women. Stereotyping must be eradicated and gender biases changed. A victim of rape is often rejected by her family, who make her feel that they are soiled and degraded because of her. This is due to social perceptions of rape; to prevent this, it is imperative to target the younger generation, in order to tackle the problem at its source. Society must be taught, not to reject victims of rape. They need comfort, care and reassurance, so that they can make a contribution to society. What can be done about prevention an reduction of rape?

Where schoolgirls are concerned, I think this calls for joint action between the police and school authorities. Village elders, and priests should also get involved and the school PTA’s too. Between them all, they should be able to provide protection to innocent schoolgirls who have to travel long distances through long and lonely roads to schools. Parents in areas should get together and see that these schoolgirls travel in groups and not alone. Karate and other forms of self defence, should also be taught to schoolgirls.

Another method must be to increase the penalties for rape, murder etc. I think it is essential to reintroduce the death penalty, at least for a while. While we can argue till the end of time about this, murder and rape are carried on regardless. Can anyone who opposes the death penalty come up with a better solution?

True, no-one has the right to take another’s life, but what about the people who are continuing to commit horrific murder and rape at the drop of a hat. Have we thought about the feelings of the victims as they are brutally raped and killed?

Everyone I have discussed this with recently, wants the death penalty brought back as they are living in fear, for themselves, their children and for the country in general. I know I will not be the flavour of the month, with those who oppose the death penalty but I have been requested to do so, by many mothers like myself, who are living in fear; about the safety of everyone, of all ages and from all walks of life. I would appeal to all mothers to do what they can to bring back the death penalty.
- Sri Lanka Guardian