South African movie Tess raises important questions about rape culture
ABOUT a week ago, some Rock Girls went to watch Tess, a South African movie directed by Meg Rickards, which was based on the emotionally devastating story of a girl who had been raped at a young age.
As a result of not feeling able to tell anyone about her experience, Tess deals with feelings of uselessness and ends up in a situation that no one should ever find themselves in.
It is a brave film as it deals with topics which are not often spoken about because they are seen as inappropriate.
In talking about such topics, Tess highlights how difficult it is for people to talk about rape.
Growing up, whenever someone wronged us, whether it be pushing us down or taking something without asking, we told someone close to us, like a mom or a friend.
We felt comfortable because we looked up to these people, and we trusted them; even if we did not know what to do, they would.
Why is it that when rape happens, most girls cannot even utter a single word to the people closest to them, who they say they trust?
If this happens to or around you as a young child, you might think that it’s normal. As you grow up, you might begin to realise that rape is not normal but now the shame and fear could play a bigger part in your not coming forward and reporting it.
Unfortunately, even if you are brave enough to come forward, this is the kind of thing that people do not want to believe, and will make excuses for.
If the rapist is a person close to the family, in a position of authority or a family member, people would rather accuse you of lying than face the consequences of the act.
There are a lot of pressures that could silence you, one of which is guilt.
It’s weird how the burden of rape falls on the victim and their family instead of the rapist, especially when one has to lay charges, because the rapist’s family will beg you not to humiliate them in public. Sometimes it seems easier to stay silent.
Films like Tess, and organisations which provide a supportive space and a platform to learn how to use our voices, bring us a step closer to dealing with, and getting rid of, the burden on the victim and the unwritten rule of silence.
Brave film deals with topics not often spoken about because they are seen as inappropriate