This needs to Stop!

Recently, the horrific stories of rapes taking place in India have been all over the news and other media. It makes you think about the kind of world we are living in where men rape 2 year old girls!And its just not girls/women being raped, its boys/men who go through similar situations.

 

I can't imagine the horror, the fear that they have to live through. And to add to that the pressures of a judgmental society, uncooperative police officers, lenient laws and even unsupportive family - the torment that most victims go through, forces them to either keep mum about it or become suicidal. And these are just rape cases being highlighted - no one ever talks about the various cases of sexual assault. Yes, rape and assault are not the same - rape is a type of sexual assault. Let me elaborate on that:

 

Sexual Assault

It is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will, or any sexual touching of a person who has not consented. It includes rape, groping, forced kissing, sexual harassment, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, or torture in a sexual manner.

 

Rape

It is a type of sexual assault usually involving intercourse, without the victim's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or against a person who is incapable of valid consent (unconscious, incapacitated or below the legal age of consent).

Besides the problems faced by victims (as I mentioned above), I think a lot of them also have problems in facing the situation - they tend to block out the memories or live in denial, which is a major issue. I think that its because a lot of the times the "assaulter" is some one known to them - family, friends, neighbors. So it would be very hard to understand that why would that known person do that to them.

 

I came across this article on http://www.buzzfeed.com/ today, which actually triggered this whole post. It was about this initiative called "Project Unbreakable" started by Grace Brown in October 2011. The mission of Project Unbreakable is to increase awareness of the issues surrounding sexual assault and encourage the act of healing through art. It is a healing project for sexual assault survivors where they are photographed holding a poster with a quote from their attacker.

While, these women, girls, men and boys have shown incredible strength even through such adversities, the things said to them (and also who said it to them) will leave you feeling disgusted and immensely sad.

 

From strangers to neighbors to friends to relatives including fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, immediate family, teachers, boyfriends - these were their assaulters. Those were the people who assaulted them from tender ages like 2 or 3, when the child isn't even aware of what is right or wrong. Even boyfriends and husbands, forcing sex!??

 

Doesn't it make you wonder who can be trusted?!

 

Its just incredibly sad to see all of this and it leaves me feeling petrified about the kind of world I will be bringing my kids into.

 

Saying that, I would like to add that I truly admire these survivors for helping in spreading awareness.

I believe that a lack of awareness or fear of being the "the only one" in the situation, is what holds a lot of the victims back too. So that would be the best place to start - create awareness; be supportive; fight for stringent laws; educate kids earlier in life.

 

I think it has become extremely essential, that we know and we teach our kids or rather everyone in our lives how to deal with such situations and support them. These are few things I would like to pass on to everyone I know for their safety:

• Always be alert
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Choose your company wisely
• At a parties, always pour your own drink and never leave your drinks unattended (My parents always told me that)
• Remember that if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

You know when I read about all this, It just makes me grateful for the kind of people I have in my life - strong, gentle, caring, protective and supportive - My Family, My Relatives, My Friends! And I am specially thankful to all the men in my life- Dad, Brother, Cousins, Uncles, Friends and others (especially my Dad) for being such wonderful human beings - who always care for me and watch over me.

 

In conclusion, always remember that you are not alone! 

 

So be firm, be strong and don't worry God has placed Guardian Angels for us in this mean world, who will always be there for us!