Enjoying Rape?
Tuesday May 25, 2004

 

I WRITE as an outraged human being. I am sickened and appalled after reading the article Furore over remark on rape (The Star, May 24). I was shocked to read two quotes about rape by Kota Kinabalu Umno pro tem chief Roselan Juhar, the first being "if you cannot fight rape, better lie down and enjoy it," and the second, "rape victims should be psychologically asessed as to whether they enjoyed the incident."

Earlier this year I was invited by Amnesty International London to attend the launch of their report and campaign Stop Violence Against Women. I was there as a representative of the Malaysian Amnesty International office.

Amnesty International has made Stop Violence Against Women their latest campaign, and this includes rape which is now finally being recognised as a form of torture.

Rape is violent, and it is a direct assault upon men, women and children who are subjected to it.
As a woman I am sickened by the rising incidences of rape in our society and how we are struggling with the enormity of this issue. I am also very aware that the cases that have come to light are only the tip of the iceberg.

Rape is prevalent within the home, in armed conflict, post-conflict, at school and just about everywhere you turn. It is a heinous act. It is torture, I cannot emphasise that enough.
In all forms of torture, abusers must be brought to justice. Rape must be condemned, not justified.

More than half of the rape cases that are reported in the newspapers involve children. Please explain to me how these innocents would have the strength to fight it, let alone stop it. How do you psychologically assess children whether they enjoyed being raped? It is disgusting and repugnant to think that anyone could enjoy being violated.

Rape is not about sex. It is about power, about the dehumanisation of another.
I am so livid at what I have read in The Star that no apology nor retraction from Roselan will ever negate the damage, pain and suffering as a result of his careless words. I also wonder if such a person should be allowed to stay in office.

Asha Gill, Kuala Lumpur
(From The Star newspaper. Asha Gill is a committed supporter of women's rights and WAO's work)

Relevant Articles:

• Press Statement - Comment on Rape
• Talking Points - Rape Talk