Rape | Randomly Speaking Unorthodoxly

“Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused”.

Freda Adler

If I could die a thousand times, when I hear of someone who got raped, I would die a slow, yet painful death. Rape is not a joke and cannot be taken lightly. No one should be judged, nor stand a social trial for being a rape victim. You were not present when their soul was ripped apart by another; the cries at night and the paralyzing numbness. Rape; it takes a part of you that cannot be replaced, compelling you to hate the world as you know it. You struggle as a victim, try to protect others and retaliate in some way or form.

As I lay in bed, writing this piece, I think back on the many stories that I have heard, both directly and indirectly. The fact that someone would commit such devious acts and continue their lives like nothing happened, pains my heart. It also channels that part of me, to protect the people I know, and the wider society. My heart goes out to those who are still suffering.

Clearly this act has been around for decades, the research can be proven, which also goes for the cases that have not been reported. There may be cases where persons whom have been raped and were not able to report it, because they fear for their lives. What should they do? Who do they go to? What will they become? Who can they trust? These are some of the questions I’m compelled to think about. We watch the news everyday about persons who become killers, robbers, or any other demeaning status, committing vicious acts. We as a society automatically judge them as being a bane to society, when in fact we know nothing about their lives. No; it doesn’t constitute or make up for the act, but that is their reality, how can they know anything else when the soul is bent on retaliation, when we know that people deal with anger differently.

“Pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding”.

Kahlil Gibran

A lot of persons have become strangers to their own body because of being raped; the situation has made them become different people; some lesbians, gays and prostitutes can relay their story effortlessly. It’s not an excuse, but who am I to judge what they do with their lives? I applaud those who have been victims of rape and have decided to forgive the abuser, and move on with their lives. I will reiterate; rape is not a joke.

Father’s who Rape

In a home where fathers are dubbed the protectors of the household, why would they take the opportunity of robbing their children from their rights to live a wholesome life? Fathers how can you? I cannot fathom the reasoning behind a father raping his child. How do you face your child for the rest of your life? Do you think about the risks involve?

If a child has been raped, the behaviour of the child will change, and if you have day to day contact with children, something will become apparent for you to question that child. Parents, teachers and caretakers, observing the behaviour of a child is critical, it enables you to decipher over time if something is wrong with that child. Withdrawing into isolation, not speaking to friends and not participating in class are some of the signs. Take some time to speak to that child, not hurriedly coming to a conclusion, but take the time to gain trust. Hoping that child will open up to you.

I watched the news on World Aids Day and saw children from the tender age of 8 onwards populating the clinics because they have AIDS. Even though children do contract AIDS in the foetus from the mother, but very few survive past the first years of life. In any event, were questions raised? Where did this come from? How did it happen? Why wasn’t it reported prior to the findings?

People I implore you to educate your children, your Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. People; there can be a change, and the change is within us.