Dispelling myths about rape
These are prejudicial, false and stereotyped beliefs about sexual assaults and the people involved
IN a recent court case, a man accused of rape was discharged because the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him. While we cannot dispute the wisdom of the judge in terms of the entirety of the case, there was one aspect which was sad to note — that the judge had dismissed the power of fear in the matter.
There are a number of myths which surround rape, and fear is just one such myth. Rape myths are prejudicial, false and often stereotyped beliefs about sexual assaults and the people involved, whether victim or perpetrator.
In the case in question, the judge had questioned whether rape had occurred because the victim, who was said to be a fit person, could have easily fought back. As mentioned, this is only one aspect of the case which the judge questioned, so the wisdom of the judge and her judgment is not what is being questioned.
But fear and the lack of physical evidence of an attack are part of the list of known rape myths, that a lack of physical evidence means that no rape occurred. In actual fact, rape is sex without consent. This is an important point.
There are a number of factors here, fear being one of them. And, fear can be experienced for a variety of reasons. The fear of physical injury is one reason, whether or not the victim is fit and/or strong, or whether or not the perpetrator is fitter or stronger.
Fear is a powerful emotion and can serve to incapacitate a person. Take, for instance, a soldier. Soldiers are trained for months, even years, for war. Special forces train even harder to face battle. Overcoming fear is one aspect of military training. Yet, even the most well-trained soldier or special forces operator can freeze when bullets start flying.
Other instances where consent could not have been given would be if the victim was incapacitated in some way, either via alcohol or drugs, or if the victim is too young to know as to what he or she is consent to.
This is just one of the rape myths which are often mentioned, and at times used as a defence. One other myth which seems to be popular here and in many countries, especially conservative ones, is what the victim was wearing at the time.
Let’s get it straight: no matter what a woman is wearing, or not wearing for that matter, she is not asking to be raped, nor does she deserve to be raped. Low-cut blouse? Long slit? See-through? So what? It’s her right. It’s not an invitation.
And to dispel that myth, many rape cases involve victims who are conservatively dressed and act according to acceptable social norms. Yet, they still end up being victims.
Let’s get it straight: no matter what a woman is wearing, or not wearing for that matter, she is not asking to be raped, nor does she deserve to be raped. Low-cut blouse? Long slit? See-through? So what? It’s her right. It’s not an invitation.