The anti-rape poster seen in the picture above started a debate not over how to better protect women or make them feel more comfortable reporting rape but whether or not it was an insult to God and too sexy.
“The poster poses the question: ‘Who Pays For Man’s Sins?’ and a caption which reads “Only four per cent of women who suffer sexual violence report their assailants.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to stop this poster going up,” said a city councillor, Maurizio Cadeo.
He and other right-wing councillors said the poster was “blasphemous” and would offend the religious beliefs of many Italians.
“We’re calling for the poster to be withdrawn because an important day like this should not be debased by such a sexual provocation,” said councillor Carlo Fidanza, a member of the right-wing National Alliance party.
Sexual provocation? Seriously?
The good councillor is not alone however,
A new poll has found that nearly half of Northern Ireland’s students believe that a woman is wholly or partially responsible for rape if she flirts.
The Amnesty International commissioned poll, published on 29 September, entitled Violence Against Women: The Perspective of Students in Northern Ireland, explores the “blame culture” found in attitudes towards women and sexual violence.
The research revealed that, of the 715 students surveyed at Ulster University, 46 per cent felt that a woman’s flirting would leave her bearing some of the blame in the case of rape.
30 per cent believed that women were partially or totally responsible for rape if she wears sexy or revealing clothing and one in ten reasoned that violence was acceptable against a girlfriend who nags, flirts with other men, or refuses to have sex.
Attitudes it seems have not changed overly much. Women are asking for it if friendly and sexually autonomous, and frigid bitches if they are not. At fault for abuse if they don’t protect themselves and nags if they defend their rights and beliefs. They are tarring all men as rapists if they cross the road or take other self defense measures and accused of having at least partial fault if they do not and an attack occurs.
Days such as today provide an opportunity to highlight the issues of violence, yet they will do nothing to stop it. Real change needs to come from all of us recognizing each others humanity, dignity and rights.
Jeebus. That photo couldn’t be more appropriate.
Am not surprised by the type of complaints it received. Religion is itself patriarchal and male-dominated. So is misogyny disguised as ‘mere’ sexism.