So, you are horrified by the “Roast Busters”, and want to make
a difference, but what can you do?
In my more frustrated moments, I would love to be that
person carrying a torch at the front of a baying mob, crying for justice and
making a difference to the outcome of a trial of people who have hurt someone
else.
But we don’t live in a village of 100 people. These young men are not the only people out there perpetrating sex crimes. And we HAVE
a justice system. It is flawed, but we need to use it so the flaws are SEEN,
and changed, and our system can evolve with our understanding of right and
wrong. An example of this is that rape used to be legal within marriage, and
the laws evolved for the better with our societal changes.
We can’t nor should we, start a mob of people, so here are
some ideas for how you can be brave, and carry your torch out into the community
and really make a difference.
Be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Volunteer. Work on help lines. Or just be a strong and vocal
voice for justice so that people see you as a safe refuge or support when they
need it. Advocate for friends who need a voice. Speak for those still too
traumatised to speak. Hold your friend’s hand when they decide they are brave
enough to speak up, or pursue justice.
Be the voice of reality.
This issue is raising the topic of “what could possibly make
young men behave this way.”
Remind people that 1 in 4 women are raped. This act is not a
rarity and we live in a rape culture.
It is raising the question of “how to avoid being a victim”
Remind people that: most victims know their rapist.
That the rapist drinking is of
more importance than the victim as far as causation.
Be the person brave enough to discuss “consent”.
People are often confused about what rape is. We need to
start talking about the fact that rape isn’t what the media tells us.
Its subtle, it’s discreet, it is friends, it is family. It
is quiet, it is dangerous, and it is under reported.
You can inform them
that in research when men are asked if they have “raped” most will say no. But
when men are asked if they have “forced a woman who was not your wife or
girlfriend at the time to have sex,” or if they had ever “had sex with a woman
who was too drunk or drugged to indicate whether she wanted it.”
That answer changes significantly.*
Be the person who knows the facts.
When talking about false reports, there are more false
reports for stolen cars than false reports for rape. As a crime it is
under reported and really badly dealt with.
This image from the USA is incredibly depressing, and NZ is
no better off.
Be the killjoy.
Be the person at your work, or social gatherings who when someone makes a rape joke, you look blankly at them and ask why it’s funny. If they have to explain it, it becomes apparent very quickly the rape culture we are living in.
Be the support person.
Be the person who listens without judgement, believes the person talking about abuse, and helps them with WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE TO DO.
Be the person advocating body autonomy for the children
and young people around you.
Ask before you hug or kiss friends, family or other people
you greet.
When kids don’t want to give you a kiss or hug hello or
goodbye, say “that’s ok, kisses and hugs are special and we can ALWAYS choose
when to give them.” Empower young people to understand that touch is a choice,
and their bodies are their own to control.
Be the person supporting those on the front line.
Donate, remind those around you to donate, and when there
are competitions for funding, support organisations who help.
Not everyone can carry every torch and they are ALL
important. Support the other torch bearers. Carry someone else’s for a while to
lighten their load. Accept that we will
all need to take a break sometimes.
But as long as we are casting light in our own communities, that
will spread, and other people will find the strength to start standing with us.
My love to everyone on the front lines.
X
*These quotes are from the WHO study, and are therefore gendered in this way.
We need to teach our sons that rape is not ok. We need to teach them what rape is.
ReplyDeleteWe need to teach our daughters the same. More importantly we need to teach them that its not their fault.
We need to change the way society thinks. Males particularly.
I want my daughters to be safe. Because when I was not much older than they are now, I wasn't.
:-(