Rape is No Joke

The Angono Municipal Police Station’s Facebook account recently published a post that had ten points on how women can avoid rape.

It was no surprise that Gabriela and other famous people known for their support of women’s rights would condemn such a list. It included admonitions against drinking while on a date, and wearing short skirts.
 
Days later, the police apologized for the anti-rape reminder, due to pressure from outside groups.

I have read the anti-rape list, and I only have one problem with it. A woman should have the freedom to wear skimpy attire, but she should be aware of her surroundings. Kahit pekpek shorts pa iyan, basta alisto siya, pwede iyan.
 
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind if rapists are given the death sentence. But as a father, I think the list is practical.

Image from http://preen.inquirer.net/78837/this-police-station-in-angono-rizal-just-gave-helpful-tips-to-avoid-rape

I feel that the advice given on the anti-rape list is not only practical, but well-meaning. It could have been written better, surely.

Gabriela could have done better as part of the process, instead of attacking it. It’s easier for them to come up with a well-written set of rules. They could have written one list for women, and one for men.
 
It was such a missed opportunity.

As for the Angono police, sad to say, mukhang wala silang bayag. They had an opportunity to explain themselves and stand their ground.

They meant well, but they needed a better-written list. They wasted their chance to make it better by caving in, and apologizing. Worse, they removed the list.
 
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This situation exposes the weaknesses of both. The police should be more careful about how they approach sensitive issues. But they should also remember that they are there to enforce the law and protect the people.
 
If they did their jobs well, the anti-rape list wouldn’t even be needed.

Gabriela, on the other hand, should think about offering solutions without being too aggressive. Huwag masyadong papansin, gawin na lang ng tama ang trabaho para matulungan ang lahat ng kababaihan.

Naiintindihan ko ang mga hinanakit ng kababaihan. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my staff of “angels” at Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo. We have been handling rape complaints for many years.

Again, this was a wasted opportunity to properly educate and help the Filipino people.
 
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And to be honest, it’s not always so clear. For example, we had a complainant, a wife. Hinalay daw siya ng tatlong security guard, matapos siyang lasingin ng mga ito.
 
Ang tanong: bakit siya nakipag inuman kasama ang tatlong lalaki na hindi niya kamag-anak? Alalahanin, may asawa pa siya.
 
Another news item I remember involved a woman who was the “asawa ng bayan” in her city in Mindanao, and it turns out she was fooling around with some American sailors. She was wearing tight-fitting jeans – hard to remove! A condom, too, was used. How can a rapist use a condom? That takes time to put on!
 
The US sailor was eventually acquitted by the Court of Appeals, after the “victim” retracted her complaint. It turned out, she just wanted to be an American citizen.
 
All I can say is, we should always think before we judge people.