Making Marital Rape a legal offence is the fastest way to make it clear that Rape means forced sex, not lost Virginity or Honor.
Some fresh examples showing how sexual assaults are seen by those who we expect to work towards controlling them.
Rapists are raised, encouraged, supported, justified and excused by mindsets like these.
1. Vibha Rao, chairperson of Chhattisgarh State Women Commission.
"Women display their bodies and indulge in various obscene activities. Women are unaware of the kind of message [their actions] generate,"… she believes excessive "display of body" by women influenced by western culture is the key. Ms. Rao, an advocate by profession and a prominent BJP leader in the State…
Regarding alleged rape of the tribal women by erstwhile vigilante gang members in south Chhattisgarh,
Ms. Rao said she cannot comment on 'sub judice' matters. [Link: 'Women equally responsible for crimes against them']
I agree with this comment below the news report, by Anita Badami:
After reading Ms Vibha Rao's ridiculous comments, it is not at all hard to understand why so many Indian males behave as atrociously as they do with women. Obviously they were brought up by women (like Ms Rao) who
inculcate ignorant and deeply misogynistic attitudes in their sons.
2. Education Minister T. Thiagarajan and college Principals in Puducherry
Separate buses for schoolboys and schoolgirls, overcoats for girls, ban on mobile phones on campuses and restricted interaction of girls and boys…
— these are the steps the Puducherry government has decided on to enforce to prevent harassment of girl students.
The measures came after a meeting between Education Minister T. Thiagarajan…
By reducing contact between boys and girls, it was possible to prevent basic misbehaviour and it would also reduce "temptation," said an Education Department official.
Instead of 'dupatta,' a student should wear an overcoat. Squads would be formed [IHM: Not to check sexual harassment but] to check use of mobile phones by students, Secretary of Education G. Ragesh Chandra told The Hindu. These guidelines were for both private and government schools and a similar meeting with college principals would be held next week, he said.
Principals' suggestions
During the meeting, the principals emphasised need for greater interaction [IHM: Not between students so male students see women students as humans, but] of parents and teachers, advanced intimation to parents if special classes were conducted and maintenance of a record of the mobile phones of parents and guardians so that they could be informed if their wards were not present.
The move for separate buses came after several principals voiced concern that "when boys and girls travel together, they often did not get off the bus even when their stop arrived," Mr. Chandra said.
"Many principals also observed that boys and girls sat inside the bus even before classes were over for the day, as the buses are parked on school premises. By having separate buses, these activities could be prevented."
The measures drew flak from academicians and activists. [Link:Puducherry prescription: separate buses, overcoats for girls]
Are they trying to prevent social interactions that could lead to 'love marriages' or consensual sex between young adults or are they trying to prevent sexual assaults against women, babies and girls?
Do they even know the difference?
Many Indians (including the Khaps) seem to see any sex outside marriage as Rape; and sex, forced or not within marriage, as 'consensual sex'. The fact that Marital Rape is not seen as a crime encourages this thinking. If Marital Rape was seen as a crime (that it is) – it would be difficult to excuse women's clothing and lifestyles for rapes.
Many Indians see rapes not as a violent crime, but as loss of honor, 'purity' and virginity of the victim. Making Marital Rapes a legal offence is the fastest way to make Indian women and men understand that Rape means forced sex, not lost virginity or honor. It would also become clearer that women actually own their bodies and men actually can (and a majority does, only a percentage of men are rapist despite the licences and impunity that Patriarchy gives to men) 'control their urges'.
3. RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwad
A husband and a wife are bound by a contract which says – you (woman) look after the household chores and satisfy me, I (man) will take care of your needs and will protect you. (RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwad)
Five questions worth asking here: 1.) So there would be no rapes, if women were not working earning? 2.) Non working married women do not get raped or husbands are to be blamed if they are raped? (This alleged rapist would like this) 3.) Marital Rape is not rape? 4.) Women are not sexual beings and sex is about women satisfying men and not a mutual experience?
Making Marital Rape a legal offence will address some of the above Rape Myths.
But is there any hope for that with mindsets like below?
Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh says there is a direct link between school and college education and murders and suicides, and students who study in English-medium institutions are especially vulnerable. [English education triggers suicides, murders, says Mumbai top cop Satyapal Singh]
Some of the above might like to discuss their conclusions with Haryana Khaps.
Jitender Chhataar, "Poverty and intoxication are the main reasons for rape as well as young people sitting together the wrong way. But also eating chowmein causes a hormonal imbalance which is a big reason for rapes." [The rape of reason]
Each of the above would find Marital Rape difficult to understand. They are unlikely to ask: "What purpose does protecting any rapist, married to the rape victim or not, serve?" But if the law recognises the crime, eventually the society would do too.
Do you agree?
http://indianhomemaker.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/making-marital-rape-a-legal-offence-is-the-fastest-way-to-make-it-clear-that-rape-means-forced-sex-not-lost-virginity-or-honor/
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