THIS RAPE SAGA

Can we talk?

Let us talk.

Let us discuss.

The rate at which rape cases keep springing up speaks volumes about the upbringing of the culprits.

What efforts are you making towards ensuring your kids turn out differently? What steps have you taken to ensure they make a positive difference? 

Do you know they can be the change agent society needs?

I'm very troubled at the rate of rape and sexual abuse in today's society. The average person, female and male inclusive, has experienced one form of sexual abuse or the other as a child. 

Some experience it even in adulthood. 

It's always either from a relative or an adult entrusted with caring for them. 

The elderly are not left out. Some people take advantage of the vulnerable and elderly. Laaaawwd!

What kind of hearts do these people have???

www.worldpopulationreview.com report states,  "Approximately 35% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime." 

As if that is not bad enough, it went further to say, "Men around the world also experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape every day. Women ages 16-19 are four times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault, and female college students ages 18-24 are three times more likely to experience sexual assault."

Then, "70% of rape is committed by someone the victim knows."

Now that is heartbreaking!

I don't want to go deep so it doesn't seem as if I'm over-flogging the matter on the ground. But...

I know several real-life cases and not just statistics. 

I have experienced inappropriate behaviour from trusted adults. It took a lot to get over the after-effects of their actions. 

I know a girl that was raped at age five by a relative and the matter was swept under the carpet by her parents to preserve the relationship between the families. 

He didn't stop there, but went on to rape another young relative of about the same age!

 I also know a boy who was raped for years right under his parent's nose by house helps! He only spoke out when he could no longer take it!

I know another boy that was raped by his big male cousins till he grew bold enough to stand up to them!

I know of yet another boy who was almost raped by a trusted male neighbour but for a timely intervention!

All these are people I know.

Or is it the lady that was working with a certain organisation, whose boss grabbed her from behind? She wasn't the only victim.

Some of these people are religious leaders, whom the victims should have been able to trust with their lives, but, TRUST WAS BREACHED!

When you trace the source of this problem, you'll find out that most of the perpetrators were also victims at one point or the other in their lives.

So, back to my question...

Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, Clergies and Clerics...

What did we do wrong?

What are we doing wrong? 

What should we do differently?

How do we protect our children from falling/becoming victims?

How do we help these victims of rape and abuse?

Is there any hope for the perpetrators?