Blaming The Victim For Rape

A REGIONAL Governor should not go to a briefing on Namibia’s rape crisis and talk about women coming home late from cuca shops as a cause of the problem.

To do so is to blame the victim, rather than the aggressor. Women, who are adults, have the right to stay out late and visit bars if they want to.Rather than making such negative remarks, leaders should do something positive, such as increasing police patrols or organising a civilian force to escort women, who think they might be in danger, to their homes.We should also remember that most rapes are not perpetrated by strangers in dirty raincoats hiding around a dark corner.Studies show that most rapists are family members, acquaintances, boyfriends, and husbands.Clearly, combating this kind of rape will require drastic changes in the attitudes of both men and women.It will also require improvements to the way politicians, schools, the media, and businesses approach issues of women’s rights in general.I write this letter in my personal capacity as a resident of Namibia.Hugh Ellis, WindhoekWomen, who are adults, have the right to stay out late and visit bars if they want to.Rather than making such negative remarks, leaders should do something positive, such as increasing police patrols or organising a civilian force to escort women, who think they might be in danger, to their homes.We should also remember that most rapes are not perpetrated by strangers in dirty raincoats hiding around a dark corner.Studies show that most rapists are family members, acquaintances, boyfriends, and husbands.Clearly, combating this kind of rape will require drastic changes in the attitudes of both men and women.It will also require improvements to the way politicians, schools, the media, and businesses approach issues of women’s rights in general.I write this letter in my personal capacity as a resident of Namibia.Hugh Ellis, Windhoek