In July 2013, female member of parliament Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff blamed Malaysian women for the rising number of sex crimes in Malaysia. Blaming it on “indecent clothing”, Siti Zailah believes -and she isn’t the only one with this thought- that the victim is responsible for what has happened to her. Unfortunately, Siti Zailah’s comment is an important message we intend to spread around, and it’s something that Malaysians have come to adapt to – rape culture.
By definition, rape culture is the condoning and normalizing of physical, emotion and sexual terrorism against women. Rape culture is when society believes that sexual assault is normative and ultimately believe that rape is inevitable.
We’re not saying that Malaysia is glamorizing rape. Instead, it is being seen as “just the way things are”, and in turn, we start to feel that it’s understandable for a woman to be raped when she chooses to wear a skirt that runs a few inches over her knees, and that’s called victim-blaming.
According to co-editor of Yes Means Yes, Jessica Valenti : “Rape is a standard result of culture mired in misogyny”. Speaking for the American population, she explains that for whatever reason it takes place, “Americans bend over backwards to make excuses for male violence”. Sadly, it appears that the people with outdated ideas in Malaysia still believe that violent masculinity is not to be blamed.
In an effort to educate Malaysian women (and men, too) on rape culture, and to understand how to prevent violence against women, here are six ways for us to change how Malaysians see rape culture.
1. Sexual coercion and rape tactics
Sexual coercion takes place when a man disregards or overrides consent for sex. Apart from physical force or sending verbal threats, even manipulation, shaming and intoxication are also common rape tactics.
2. Pornography plays a part in rape culture
According to a study, results showed that pornography consumption may further the risk of sexual aggression among men. The analogues show that there’s a distinct relationship between rape and violent pornography with rape-themes.
3. Alcohol consumption among women is being blamed
Recently, a study showed that one of the many ways to prevent rape is to avoid getting drunk. Is this another excuse for us to blame the victim? It actually isn’t. Instead of asking whether what the victim did before she was raped, pose this question instead: “What makes the man think it’s acceptable?”
4. Not all masculine men are violent
Men use power to assert their dominance among others, however we need to understand that masculinity is not necessarily violent. Rape is not a normal or natural masculine urge, and there are men out there who aim to redefine the concept of masculinity and rape. Talk to your male friends about sexual coercion to further understand their point of view about rape culture.
5. Victim control isn’t enough
Victim control is when women are told to understand that they’re “rape-able” and that they must do everything they can to avoid getting raped. This is something we are reminded of each day, but sadly it’s not enough. Being mindful doesn’t really reduce our chances of getting raped since it cannot always be avoided no matter what precaution we take.
6. Acknowledge gender roles
Understanding gender roles is one of the keys methods to ending rape culture. Traditionally, it was believed that men are taught to be powerful, whereas women were taught to be victims who need saving. A strong relationship between men and women is what could potentially change the rising number of rape cases in our country – which is why gender equality is so important in society today. When women are seen as equals, there’s no excuse for men to see us as weaker targets.
By changing our perspectives on rape and the importance of gender roles, we can all end Malaysia’s battle against rape culture.
