Why speak out? it only scares people?
A comment which continues to fester in my mind was from sometime ago. "Why speak out...it only scares people...won't it stop victims from coming forward...why not have a more positive approach...". Firstly how ridiculous, what a 'keep in the closet' approach to change. If we don't tell people the horrible parts, the fact that 'Lady Justice' just isn't doing her job, it will make it all better, all go away...for who? Will it give victims faith in the justice system? Restore their faith in society?
Let's not forget not all crimes report to police which go onto trial have negative consequences for victims of sexual assault. There is of course the less than 2% of these cases which do gain convictions, although only a very, very small number of these offenders actually see the inside of a jail cell. Why not hide the truth? the reality about sexual assault crimes? Is it going to make our world a safer place? Will it stop offenders from raping? Will victims be able to safely go out at night, enjoy themselves, (heaven forbid) even walk themselves home? Leave their doors wide open because they are safe in knowing this doesn't happen in thei....r community?
Oh...please....give me a break. Control, it comes down to control. Controlling what the public hears, what they acknowledge, what the government wants people to know. Is it no wonder so many victims fear coming forward when we have this "ssshhh...don't talk about it" attitude. Let's break down these barriers, rip down isolation, hold up the banners loud and clear, "WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS INSANITY ANYMORE". 1 in 3 women, with an estimated 60,000 victims each year in our State, yet nearly 12,000 reports to Police, of these less than 2% conviction rate. A crime on the increase, a conviction rate on the decline and I have people telling me I should be quiet about this.
Victims in the court room, children, being asked 'but you really wanted to sit on his lap didn't you'....women 'why would you wear a dress like that?' 'don't you feel ashamed' 'wearing those boots...those *&^% me boots says you are asking for it'
Where is the evidence in this, any of it....come-on where is the legal significance of these comments. The law states sex without consent is a CRIME. Under the age of 16 years, a child CANNOT consent, whether they do or don't, legally they CANNOT, so who cares how this perp manipulated and groomed this vulernable person who placed their trust and faith, their innocence and childhood with this scum, who selfishly in an act of violence used their power to their own benefit. OF what legal relevance is it what a women wears when she has been raped? What if she was on the beach in a bikini? Hiking in bike shorts and a singlet? Home alone in bed in her P.J's? I cannot see the legal significance of this and how this can be considered as evidence.
Do we not live in a free, democratic society built on the principles of human rights? Dignity? Freedom? Justice? We only need to look at the fear instilled in people by the differences in what people wear for religious purpose, where this is being banned in France, criticised in our country...why, why do we need to be threatened by this?
A police officer I spoke with once said to me "if I wore my knickers and bra into a night club, no-one, absolutely no-one has the right to touch me without my consent".
Now if only we could get this message out to society. If only society could feel empowered enough to share this message with each other and stop trying to keep their skeletons in the closet.
Let's not forget not all crimes report to police which go onto trial have negative consequences for victims of sexual assault. There is of course the less than 2% of these cases which do gain convictions, although only a very, very small number of these offenders actually see the inside of a jail cell. Why not hide the truth? the reality about sexual assault crimes? Is it going to make our world a safer place? Will it stop offenders from raping? Will victims be able to safely go out at night, enjoy themselves, (heaven forbid) even walk themselves home? Leave their doors wide open because they are safe in knowing this doesn't happen in thei....r community?
Oh...please....give me a break. Control, it comes down to control. Controlling what the public hears, what they acknowledge, what the government wants people to know. Is it no wonder so many victims fear coming forward when we have this "ssshhh...don't talk about it" attitude. Let's break down these barriers, rip down isolation, hold up the banners loud and clear, "WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS INSANITY ANYMORE". 1 in 3 women, with an estimated 60,000 victims each year in our State, yet nearly 12,000 reports to Police, of these less than 2% conviction rate. A crime on the increase, a conviction rate on the decline and I have people telling me I should be quiet about this.
Victims in the court room, children, being asked 'but you really wanted to sit on his lap didn't you'....women 'why would you wear a dress like that?' 'don't you feel ashamed' 'wearing those boots...those *&^% me boots says you are asking for it'
Where is the evidence in this, any of it....come-on where is the legal significance of these comments. The law states sex without consent is a CRIME. Under the age of 16 years, a child CANNOT consent, whether they do or don't, legally they CANNOT, so who cares how this perp manipulated and groomed this vulernable person who placed their trust and faith, their innocence and childhood with this scum, who selfishly in an act of violence used their power to their own benefit. OF what legal relevance is it what a women wears when she has been raped? What if she was on the beach in a bikini? Hiking in bike shorts and a singlet? Home alone in bed in her P.J's? I cannot see the legal significance of this and how this can be considered as evidence.
Do we not live in a free, democratic society built on the principles of human rights? Dignity? Freedom? Justice? We only need to look at the fear instilled in people by the differences in what people wear for religious purpose, where this is being banned in France, criticised in our country...why, why do we need to be threatened by this?
A police officer I spoke with once said to me "if I wore my knickers and bra into a night club, no-one, absolutely no-one has the right to touch me without my consent".
Now if only we could get this message out to society. If only society could feel empowered enough to share this message with each other and stop trying to keep their skeletons in the closet.
posted by Surviving @ 2:26:00 pm
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