theSun | FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 2009
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Myths about rape and rape survivors
WITH reference to “Former NS coach’s
rape conviction overturned” (Oct 28),
All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
is alarmed by statements made by
the judge in making the decision to
set aside the rape conviction, which
perpetuate certain myths about rape.
First, the judge said that the delay
in the survivor’s lodging police re-
port was “not a reasonable excuse”.
We reiterate that only one out of ten
rapes are reported, and of those who
do report it, only a minority report it
promptly. In a 1999 Awam study, it
was found that the average time that
a survivor takes to lodge a report is
46.4 days. In short, the notion that if a
woman was raped she would report it
immediately is a fallacy.
There are many reasons why a
woman chooses to delay reporting,
including being incapacitated by the
ordeal and not wanting to recount the
Checks on old cars will be a burden
THE government’s intention to make
tests for old vehicles (ten years or
older) a mandatory requirement for
road-tax renewal does not reflect well
on the 1Malaysia, people-first spirit.
Who are those using those old
but still road-worthy vehicles? The
retirees, pensioners and the lower-
middle income groups, as the new or
newer cars are priced beyond their
reach. Besides the burden of time and
money expended on the maintenance
of their “old faithfuls” to keep them in
road-worthy condition, the mandatory
inspection would be an additional but
trauma to medical officers, the police,
etc, the fear of retribution by the per-
petrator, the stigma of being a rape
victim, the loss of privacy, and many
more. The delay in reporting does not
mean that a rape did not occur.
However, courts often infer the
latter, as in this particular case as the
judge’s statement would indicate.
In fact, the survivor had cited fear
of tarnishing her family’s reputation as
a reason for not reporting, which the
judge found “unacceptable”.
Second, the judge stated that the
lack of bruising or scratches on her
body further damaged her credibility.
Again, it is a myth that all rape victims
must suffer from external injuries. In
reality, the circumstances of rape are
incredibly varied. Rapists can scare
survivors into compliance through
use of weapons or threats, or survivors
have been so terrified as to completely
unnecessary financial and time-con-
suming burden to them.
Proton Edar Dealers Association
Malaysia said the mandatory inspec-
tion of old vehicles was a good move
and in line with developed countries.
He added that “the scrapping of old
cars is important for our automobile
industry”.
The bottom line, as we can foresee,
is that from the mandatory inspec-
tion of old vehicles to the eventual
permanent scrapping of same is but a
small step, the sole purpose of which
is to boost the sale and profits of the
TELLING IT AS IT IS
Managing Editor: Chong Cheng Hai
Consultant Editor: Zainon Ahmad
Executive Editor: Lee Boon Siew
General Manager, Advertising and Marketing: Charles Peters
Senior Manager, Production: Thomas Kang
Senior Manager, Distribution Channels: Joehari Abdul Jabbar
Deputy Editor: Patrick Choo (Production),
Editor: R. Nadeswaran (Special Reporting & Investiga-
tions)
freeze during the rape which would
result in lack of visible injuries. In any
case, the length of time between the
rape and the reporting often results in
these injuries healing.
Given Awam does not have the facts
of the case, we are not here to contest
the guilt of the alleged perpetrator.
What concerns us are the underlying
assumptions of the judge which per-
petuate misconceptions around rape
and rape survivors so entrenched in
the legal system. This is one of the
reasons why the number of rape cases
brought to trial are so few, never mind
conviction rates which are even lower.
As long as these myths and fallacies
continue, justice for many rape survi-
vors will not be served.
Sofia Lim Siu Ching
President
All Women’s Action Society
car industry at the expense of the an
affordable means of private transport
for the lower-income group.
The government should put in
place an efficient, reliable and afford-
able system of public transport (as in
line with developed countries) before
it endeavours to opt for policies that
will deprive the lower-income group
of an affordable means of transport,
in favour of larger profits for the car
industry.
Tam Yong Yuee
Muar
15
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thesun says
Table anti-war
resolutions
W
AR brings violence, destruction, personal injury and
above all death. War destroys homes, factories, offices
and even people’s lives. People lose loved ones and good
friends. The damage done by war cannot be quantified in dollars
and cents. No amount of money can bring the dead back to life;
families that have been separated by war are seldom re-united.
War is evil and a destructive force.
Therefore, the efforts by Malaysians, especially our former
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to criminalise war must
be supported by every citizen of this universe. His call to name
and shame those who cause wars
and commit atrocities on people is
The damage done a suggestion that the world should
by war cannot consider.
His call to ban entry into Malaysia
be quantified in of leaders who orchestrate, support
dollars and cents. or initiate wars is a starting point. All
Malaysians will agree that such people
No amount of do not deserve to be associated with
money can bring any individual or corporation and the
the dead back suggestion that they be ostracised is
to life; families
a meaningful start.
Authoritative reports published
that have been by international organisations like
Amnesty International on the atroci-
separated by ties committed by Israel on the Pal-
war are seldom estinian people are worth a re-visit.
Also documented are the killings of
re-united. War innocent people in northern Sri Lanka.
is evil and a While the United Nations and the Eu-
ropean Union have expressed their
destructive force. displeasure, it is not sufficient to act
as a deterrent.
Hence, Dr Mahathir’s suggestions should be taken a step
further – it should be tabled as a resolution at the UN General
Assembly where it can be debated and passed. That’s the least
the world can do to express its displeasure, disgust and contempt
of war and the criminals who support it.