Victimising Rape Victims

It has been reported that one of the men who raped then murdered a woman on a bus in Delhi, India blamed the woman for what happened. According to him, she would not have been killed if she hadn't resisted. It seems it doesn't even occur to him that the rape itself is a devastating violation. This is another example of how societal thinking is constantly leaning towards the outdated idea that the woman must be to blame for rape or sexual assault.

There are too many instances of male judges or legislators suggesting that the onus is on women not to invite their own rape. Talk of how women dress or drink have to be contributory factors to the likelihood that men might be inclined to commit rape. One judge in the UK actually stated that a teacher wasn't to blame for sleeping with a fifteen year old female pupil because the girl had aggressively "seduced" him. It seems that some men still feel that males are helplessly at the mercy of the sexual wiles of the female sex. 

There are too many countries where female sexuality is still treated like a disease or some form of demonic possession. Emily Nagoski has recently written a book questioning the concept behind the development of a female arousal pill. In her book, 'Come As You Are'; she questions the idea that females have to physically experience sexual arousal on demand. Her belief is that female arousal is linked to both enviromental and emotional factors she is experiencing. Therefore arousal is more likely to develop rather than just be turned on. This is a radical departure from the prevailing notion that females are objects of sexual desire who are meant to be readily available and instantly willing at all times. Especially when a handyman or pool boy is within close proximity. 

There is a need for society, and men in particular, to change the way that women and female sexuality are perceived. We cannot expect women to be empowered if the most complimentary societal view of them is degrading. More effort should be taken to understand and appreciate female sexuality rather than just define it.