Women are obviously not to be blamed for sexual assault -- yet, this seems to be a popular opinion. How is it the victim’s fault when horrible crimes are committed against them?
For years, women were made to feel that if they were sexually assaulted, it was their fault. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, these thoughts linger. They were being too “fast,” dressed inappropriately, and “asking for it.” Men are rarely held accountable for their actions. It seems to be easier to blame women, rather than hold men, and the system of privilege that supports such behaviour accountable.
And of the men who are held accountable, statements akin to a slap on the wrist are given. Phrases like “boys will be boys,” “look at what she was wearing, she wanted it” are all too common. What does this say about the way society views women? As a society, how are we educating our sons and daughters about how women should be treated?
It starts with education and ends with accountability.
There are many instances of women and their experiences of abuse and violence being denied justice. A Vice documentary, A Crime Unpunished: Bangladeshi Gang Rape, sheds some much needed light on the experiences women face. In one instance, a woman is being interviewed and tells how she was pulled out of a car with her husband at night, dragged to a nearby school, and gang-raped by a group of men.
According to a UN study, Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of rape in the world. The victims of these rapes are not given the support they need -- instead, they are rejected and looked down upon by their communities. The perpetrators are rarely caught, because of unreported cases, and the cultural shaming of women.
The documentary shows a local police officer insist that there are no unreported rapes in the region. He claims that most of the time, the rapes are of a “romantic nature,” and are reported “as a way for women to save their reputation.” This is a perfect example of men not being held accountable, and the authorities contributing to rape culture and continuing the cycle of abuse against women.
The issue of consent, more importantly the lack thereof, is extremely concerning. Some men have the idea that it is OK to have sex with women who are unconscious, or women who blatantly say no. We are made aware of such issues on popular shows. If someone is unconscious, they cannot give consent. It is an automatic “no.”
Another thought process is that if a woman agrees to go home with a man, then the man is owed sex. Women have the right to change their minds, or say no at any given time. Men are owed nothing. A woman’s body is not theirs for the taking.
Too many people believe that women bring sexual assault upon themselves. Earlier this year we came upon the horrendous news of an 11-year-old girl being raped by a group of men in India. How does an 11-year-old girl bring rape upon herself? How can women be responsible for something they do not give consent for? It is always the perpetrator that is to blame. Plain and simple.
Education and accountability are necessary to combat rape culture. We cannot be content with a society where this abhorrent behaviour is tolerated or excused. Action needs to be taken. Regardless of what a woman is wearing or doing, rape is always a serious crime. We need to start re-educating the minds of the world, to get people to treat women as human beings who have rights and deserve respect.
It is the duty of each and every individual to have a “zero tolerance policy” towards sexual harassment and assault.
Khurshid Ahmed Khan is a graduate student at the City College of New York
