No To Rape has now hit 1,000 signatures. Please keep up the good work of spreading the word!
Many signatures are accompanied by thoughtful and sometimes deeply personal comments. These messages unite voices from a range of perspectives and experiences, which together serve as a powerful testament to why the law must be changed to offer full protection from, and unqualified censure of, marital rape.
For example, consider the words accompanying the signature of former NMP and former President of AWARE Braema Mathi:
Often protecting persons in relationships is the most difficult task. Women prefer the silence to talking about being sexually assaulted by a husband, boyfriend, long-term partner. Having a law in place reassures women that they are not alone, they can talk about it, they can put an end to it, they can start the process of reclaiming themselves. This work by the organisers is yet another step to help women in Singapore get the protection they need under such circumstances.
This incisive account of how disempowered sexual violence can leave victims is borne out by another comment from someone who has experienced rape:
I was a rape victim. And rape is just something I feel NO woman should ever live with. Especially when the men aren’t penalised for that at all. It’s a scar that stays on with the victims for life. And why do women have to bear the dire consequences as a result of ignorant men’s reckless acts? Let’s all say no to rape.
This is the reality No To Rape and its supporters are working to address. Help us.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 6:41 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
[...] FAQ « United voices [...]
I cannot imagine the countless abuse of the amended penal code, if allowed to be passed, that a wife may unjustly to make her man pay, as a vengeance arising from other unrelated disputes. In a holy matrimony, both husband & wife need to hv mutual respect in order to keep the sanctity of a marriage, w/o which I would encourage that the union be nullified.
Dear Danny
We have responded to some of your concerns in the FAQ to this site.
No To Rape supports the full investigation of all rape allegations. There should be a thorough collection and impartial assessment of all evidence which may support or refute such allegations.
We ask you to consider that under the status quo, the criminal law has no recourse to rape law if – to use your words – a man may unjustly make his wife pay, as a vengeance arising from other unrelated disputes, by committing sexual violence against her.
Best regards
No To Rape team
[...] So far we have tended to highlight the words of those with first hand experience of abuse, or those who have worked with victims. But we receive so many heartening and considered responses, [...]