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Editorial
Rape - an issue of 'blame'
A survey titled ‘Wake up to Rape’ has sparked controversy after a majority of women have claimed that it is women themselves who sometimes hold the blame in rape cases. Factors such as drunkenness, provocative clothing and going home with a stranger at the end of the night stranger were cited as contributing factors.
I do think that all this heightens the chances of being raped, but the word ‘blame’ is a tricky one. On the one hand, it is stupid and dangerous to go off alone with someone you do not know when you are drunk. Even if nothing as awful as rape happens you are still leaving yourself vulnerable to robbery, assault or to being stranded. As an independent woman, I find it hard to accept I am at greater risk when walking alone after dark than a man, but I am beginning to realise it is better to be safe than sorry. Of course, the majority of times I walk alone nothing happens but there is always that one chance that I’d rather not risk.
Rape is a delicate and sensitive topic, a taboo in most conversations. It is a subject that many, myself included, are fairly ignorant about. Most rape cases that make the news are when the rapist is predatory, going after women in clubs or dark streets.
However, rape is more common than most think. A large amount of rape cases are not by random strangers, but often by someone the victim knows personally. Certainly then, the woman in question is not to blame, especially when the rape happens by someone she trusts. Non-consensual sex, even from a boyfriend, can be considered as rape. If there is no struggle, but it is still resisted verbally, then it is rape. This is often overlooked, no one generally thinks of rape from a supposed loved one but it affects so many. Indeed, possibly the most disturbing thing about rape is that whilst a woman can take precautions to protect herself from a stranger, ultimately there is no way of knowing when and from whom it can happen. Women have a responsibility to make sure that they have the minimum chance of being raped but even when they may carelessly put themselves at risk, they are not ‘asking for it’. Nobody has the right to force someone to have sex against their will.
It is surprising to see that women are so harsh towards victims. They may feel that the act of rape could have been stopped, and perhaps in some cases it could, but they are not taking into account how greatly rape affects a woman for the rest of her life. What remains is the hurt and the psychological damage from a traumatising ordeal that is not ok and never acceptable, whether it is from a stranger or a friend. In the end, no means no, no matter what the circumstance.