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IMO view: Rape is never a joke
“Insensitive” is not exactly how I would describe the sick joke about rape that potential Supreme Court appointee Daming Sunusi told during his fit-and-proper test at the House of Representatives
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“Insensitive” is not exactly how I would describe the sick joke about rape that potential Supreme Court appointee Daming Sunusi told during his fit-and-proper test at the House of Representatives. “Idiotic” is perhaps the right notion for his foolish move — one that he described as an “ice-breaker” to lighten up the tense atmosphere.
It shocked me to learn that public officials, authorities and politicians alike continue making unethical remarks on such a sensitive issue. Apparently, they have a pact to keep singing this hideous chorus that fits perfectly with the maxim “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.”
Responding to a question from members of House Commission III as to whether the death penalty in rape cases was a necessary change from the existing law, Daming said that “Both the victim of rape and the rapist might have enjoyed intercourse together, so we should think twice before handing down the death penalty.” The lawmakers shamelessly laughed at the revolting joke.
Daming’s comment was totally unethical and totally unacceptable. The victims of rape are no laughing stock, particularly within the so-called “respected” institution. Perhaps, the current judge at the Banjarmasin High Court should experience how it feels to be victimized. How would he feel if some brutish men snatched him out of his car, dragged him to shabby hamlet, gang-raped him and then left him bloodied and broken? I am curious whether he would stand his ground and once again put forward that bizarre assumption, and say timidly, “Oh, yes I took pleasure in the crime myself! So don’t blame them!” Duh!
Given his gender bias and insensitivity, I can’t help but thinking about how would justice be served in the face of such an attitude. Instead of dealing with the problem as a law and order issue, he converted the brutal crime against women as a sickening joke to break the ice. Along with many other public officials, he is still stuck in a mentality that looks to excuse the behavior of rapists as a result of the deeply ingrained patriarchy within our society.
These public servants have a warped mind-set of cultivating patriarchal beliefs to always point the finger of blame at a woman when she becomes a victim of rape. “It’s the way they dress! It’s the way they behave! It’s their fault! If women obey the men, such things will not happen!” No wonder shocking instances of rape continue to make headlines along with the tendency of authority figures and public administrators to blame the victim.
This victim-blaming approach explains why crimes against women continue to be on the rise. Worse, such attitudes are perpetuated by lenient punishments for this heinous crime, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment. Mostly, offenders of such crimes receive lighter sentences. If we keep on ascribing blame to women and issuing light sentences, the perpetrators will get away easily. The lenient law lacks a deterrent effect, and as a result, victimized women will be further exposed to ignominy and trauma and the monstrous crimes would continue to happen.
Unfortunate as it may seem, we are saved from the odds due to a growing sense of public awareness as championed through social media. A torrent of electronic wrath burst forward following Daming’s comment that went viral across social media sites. It has sparked widespread anger and condemnation. Public pressure has helped to build momentum for checks and balances that have often failed to be executed with grace by our legislation.
In spite of such public pressure, social media and women’s empowerment campaigns, retribution through harsher punishment for rapists can be an effective way to free our country from this horrifying offence against women. The fear of a strict and stern penalty will subdue the animal instinct in men whose minds are socially perverted.
Herlina
Jakarta
