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| Tuesday, 3 August 2004 |
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Spiralling cases of sexual abuse by Neetha S. Ratnapala There was a time when even the word 'sex' was taboo. Not so long ago was hardly heard the abusive word 'abuse' either. The word itself meant pollution to the minds. But now its almost a part of our daily life.
Every social problem has its history. This history stems from the causes and conditions that helped to perpetuate such anti-social beahviour. The history does not go back to centuries, not even many decades. As the victims toll rises, one is compelled to dwell into the background of events of the last two or three decades. Sri Lanka has experienced many changes. Changes in the social order, influx of written and electronic media, an open economy, open education system, influx of and trafficking of drugs, trafficking of women, war and its aftermath, army deserters, a deteriorating economy and joblessness, breach of law and order, political patronage of wrongdoers, harbouring of culprits, overcrowding in prisons, rise in thuggery, gambling, alcoholism, blue films and pervasion of sex, women migrant workers, general deterioration of moral standards at school and in society, place of work, false sense of riches - even low grade tourists etc. - all - one leading to the other or inter-connected, cause serious harm to society. This may be a trend worldwide and the wind is sweeping over the corners of Sri Lanka too. There are instances where some mad young women have requested they be raped, and gone to the extent of wearing T'shirts with such bold demands. But ours is a saner country and no woman would stoop to such insanity. Ours is a country that has had a civilised, educated, intelligent population. The awakening of the minds is the answer to most of these ills. Forming an Anti-Rape Club, Vigilant Committees representative of professional and other groups to demonstrate public opinion against outrageous crimes probably is the need of the hour. One cannot find prescriptions to curing these social ills - particularly sex abuse - the prescription is more oriented towards each individual that he may refrain from such violent behaviour as forced sex or rape. In our country as in many others, it's the female - the women who in 95% of cases fall victim to male barbarianism. There is no age bar if one were to examine the reported cases. Unreported may well exceed the limit. A child of four, or fourteen abused by one's own father is loathing to recount, and of step-fathers, few are fatherly and caring. A principal of a school who is the child's next guardian to the parents is equally worse. In certain instances justice is meted out, but pleas are made for the mercy of the culprit ignoring those of the victim. The victim suffers so much heartburn, loss of reputation, the future is at stake, for it's the very same male who'd look for proof of virginity in years to come. Managers of Homes for the destitutes, even the aged are at the mercy of these sex maniacs. Unreported cases of sexual harassment at places of work, for those not conniving with the wishes of the bosses remain under the carpet, which is not synonymous however with a situation of rape. It appears that trust and responsibility have waned to such a degree that not even a domestic help can be entrusted to look after a kid in the absence of a family elder. Drug addicts looking for easy money from their baits also look for easy prey to quench their wired desires. The case of Rita John still haunt us. Rounding up of drug addicts, producing them before courts or fining them, or detaining them has not reduced the numbers becoming customers of the drug pins. There's something wrong either in the manner the stuff is disposed of after a haul or in the manner the smaller traffickers are rounded up. Women too are no exception here. As drug addiction has a hand in city rapes the situation needs to be brought under control, through regular patrolling of day time busy, but night time deserted streets and by roads. Certain reputed areas are under regular police patrol but this needs a wider coverage especially in the wee hours of the morning. Sexual abuse is a trauma and leaves a terrible life long stigma for the victim for the sake of a culprit's momentary impulse. The media could through short and forceful program appeal to such minds; contemplating another attack on a helpless victim. The media could make such a party especially of unreported, and systematically carried out crimes of the flesh to feel guilty and ashamed, of one's own supremacy if that's what he wants to feel. Satisfaction through the use of weakling is nothing to be proud of; admission, guilt, shame are the weapons media should highlight upon, over publicity, sensation and sense of conquest to the victim. Imagine what a society we'd have to be a part of, if a little girl or even a boy does not feel safe at home, at school, at a Home for Children, at temple or church, and a woman doesn't feel safe to leave the home, live in the home or go to a hospital. True times have changed and women leave the hearth and the home in search of a better life, abroad. There too she may be subjected to untold misery and harassment or even rape - But she has the right to feel safe and secure in her own land, her own home and environment. Her children too have the same right, and these should be safe-guarded by none other than her partner in all spheres - the male. While appreciating those who are genuine towards the fair sex, it may be mentioned that it's time man became a true patriarch and not a seducer. |
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Produced by Lake House |
Before
it turns into an eruption of anti-social behaviour all citizens are duty
bound to contribute in whatever way they can to combat the ever rising
cases of sexual abuse occurring throughout the country.
