SUPP Central Wanita condemns ‘marry rapist’ statement
KUCHING: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party ( SUPP) Central Wanita chairwoman Datin Jennifer William has strongly condemned Tasik Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahya’s alleged statement that child rape victims can obtain a good life if they marry their rapist.
In her press statement yesterday, she disagreed with the statement, saying that it is insulting and disrespectful to women.
“Rape is the worst sexual abuse that can be inflicted on women and children. It is heinous and brutal. To say to have a good life by marrying your rapist is insulting and degrading,” she added.
Shealso said that suchastatement is against the government’s stand in protecting the rights of women and children in the country as SUPP Central Wanita urged the government to take a more proactive role in criminalising parties that disrespect women and children, be it individuals or groups.
On child marriages, Jennifer said child marriage is not the way to legitimise sexual assaults and claims on children or minors. She opined that individuals or groups like Shabudin should have a firm grasp on the concept (of child marriages) and context before issuing such a provocative and offensive statement.
“Looking into Shabudin’s context, I think that this insinuation is morally and ethically wrong if girls were to marry their rapists who are of their own family members, i.e. their father, brother, uncle and grandfather, let alone strangers.
“It disgusts me that rape occurs within the family circle and it disgusts me more if it is suggested that rape victims should marry their rapists in order to have a ‘good life’. This kind of marriage cannot be justified as it is not right at all,” she said.
Jennifer asserted that SUPP Central Wanita stands against sexual abuse/assault on women and children as she called on Shabudin to reflect and apologise publicly for such an offensive statement.