Daily Times

Sexual violence is not a new problem in the world. It is a common phenomenon and occurs worldwide and data available suggests that several countries are victims of this violence. The data revealed that in some countries, out of every five women, one was a victim of this brutality by an intimate partner while up to a third of girls report a vigorous sexual initiation. Sexual assault includes intimidated sex in marriage and dating relationships, rape by strangers, organized rape, sexual harassment (including the demands of sex for a job and school grades), rape of the children and forced exposure to pornography, etc. Sadly, a heartbreaking report publishes in a local newspaper on January 20, 2020. This report shows about only one city in three hospitals and data showed 2,500 rape cases and 593 sodomy cases had been reported from 2013 to 2019 in the city. The further analysis of the data revealed 325 rape cases were reported in 2013 and an upsurge showed in the cases of rape as 360 in 2016, 411 in 2018, and 407 rape cases were reported in 2019. You can estimate and project these figures to all over the country and understand how badly we are suffering from this problem. This is a tip of the iceberg and World Health Organization (WHO) explains that the majority cases even do not come to the notice even to the survivors’ close relatives until it became fatal or appeared out of the blue.

Researches illustrate that sexually violent men have been shown to be more likely to consider survivors or victims responsible and this thought is fully nurtured by the rape culture

However, here I might prefer to seize your attention to the term “Rape Culture”, which means that people false beliefs about rape that justify sexual aggression and trivialize the seriousness of sexual violence. This culture creates a negative impact on “survivors”, and hatches a culture of “Victim Blaming”. Where people are judged and perceived being to be responsible for what has happened to the victims themselves. Consequently, creates hindrance in giving any punishment to the accused because making it less likely for the survivors to come forward, share their stories, or report to law and enforcement forces for fear of being held responsible. There are many ways by which the victims or survivors are being blamed for example, “you wear the clothes in a way, no wonder you got raped”, or/and “you walked through a risky area alone, what did you expect?” etc. Regrettably, this culture seems to be predominated currently in our beloved country Pakistan. As a result, rape cases are not being reported, if survivors do report, the police might not investigate, if by chance these two steps have been successfully done, prosecutors often refuse to take up cases, if it is happening luckily that the case does go to trial, the survivors are often re-traumatized by the process and news in the media for this trail, and finally, the rapist gets released because not having evidence to prove him a rapist or if the rapist is convicted receive an unexpected light sentence. So far, we have heard a lot of slogans and claims which depict a political will on the day of incidence only, however, perusal in the right direction is still lacking. It is not being addressed to rectify the solutions on a large scale.

I wonder, how our policymakers can ignore the role of cognitive variables among a set of factors that can lead to rape. It is endorsed that being alone, young age, poverty, low level of education, and lack of understanding, etc., among all factors which heightened the vulnerability of women for rape. Researches illustrate that sexually violent men have been shown to be more likely to consider survivors or victims responsible and this thought is fully nurtured by the rape culture. Such men get a false impression from the women about cues given and consider it a kind of stimulation for the women in social situations. They are usually mentally sick men who may lack the inhibition that acts to suppress associations between sex and aggression. This inhibition is created by coercive sexual fantasies, generally encouraged by access to pornography and peer pressures for showing extraordinary masculinity. Another false belief also motivates the fellows that women are opponents to be challenged and conquered that could be related to their childhood environment. There are many factors, which purely related to the society, however, a vital societal reaction to rape cases that are blaming only women for this act from the family provides a fertile and free land of planting for the impunity. In fact, sometimes lead to the murder of the survivor for saving the honor of the family. Should I need to explain here further that in societies like Pakistan, where the ideology of male superiority is established and giving more importance to male dominance due to physical strength and honor, rape is more common? Generally, we have a myth that rape is associated with being outside the home, however, contradictory, a great majority of sexual violence actually occurs in the home of the survivors or the abuser.

Yet, this issue has been raised in many places as part of a component, and we heard many speeches about the judicial system and emphasizes on punishment, no one suggested taking up and trying this issue as a “Social Medicine” priority issue. Hence, we need to develop a tangible strategy starting with public enlightenment through print and electronic media clear up the myths about sexual assaults and prevention begins with addressing the cultural norms and values. It is a complex issue, so needing a contribution from all stakeholders such as the educational sector, health through primary health care, justice, government, and non-government organizations and need to demonstrate a zero-tolerance from the society. Additionally, besides, the debate about sex education, at least we can ensure an equal opportunity for access to a good educational system for the female too. The bottom line, prevention of sexual assaults will remain a mirage until society, as a whole understands and stand up against it. In the last but not the least, let us lead, promote and be a part of a slogan and campaign for our country:

“Eradication of Sexual Assaults by the end of 2025′

The writer is Public Health Specialist & Family Physician, and Head & Assistant Professor Family & Community Medicine Department,College of Medicine, King Faisal University