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Rape is no joke: Stop sexist, abusive remarks
Unless we speak up, people will eventually perceive sexist jokes as “normal” — as they also might with rape and other forms of sexual assault.
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Activist of Komite Aksi Perempuan light candles as a sign their protest during a vigil for teenage girl who was raped and muredered by 14 men in Bengkulu province, Sumatera, in front of the presidential palace, Jakarta on Wednesday 4 May 2016. (The Jakarta Post/Wienda Parwitasari)
I
was browsing the internet and a status update popped up on my screen, part of which said: “Takdir itu seperti perkosaan. Jika tidak sanggup melawan, cobalah untuk menikmati (Fate is like rape. If you can’t fight it, just try and enjoy it).”
I initially ignored the so-called joke while failing to find anything funny about it. I changed my mind after it had started circulating on various social media. It is neither the first nor only one of its kind.
Then I read a news article titled “Mulut disumpal, siswi SMP diperkosa puluhan pria di gubuk kebun (Mouth gagged, junior high school girl raped by dozens of men in a farm hut)” published Oct. 23 on kompas.com. This incident occurred in Luwu regency, South Sulawesi, in late June and was reported to the police on Oct. 11. According to the article, 21 perpetrators took turns raping the 13-year-old over two days.
The Luwu case reminds me of YY, a 14-year-old rape victim from Bengkulu, whose case made headlines last year. YY was walking home from school when 14 men and boys dragged her, gang-raped and murdered her. Her body was thrown into a nearby ravine and found days later.
