You cannot blame the victim
The issue is often downplayed by society. Many victims are treated as liars or as the ones to blame, instead of focusing on the perpetrators. How many times have people asked the victim if she was dressed provocatively or if she did anything to ‘provoke’ the abuser? In the case of Harvey Weinstein, he was a very powerful man who could make or break someone’s career. It was his word against the word of those women. He also had big names protecting him. Jokes are made about sexual assault all the time, by comedians and other people, but no one acknowledges that we don’t know many women who haven’t been assaulted by someone at some point in their lives. I honestly can’t say I know many people who haven’t been victimised in some way. When we stop victim blaming, more people will come forward with their horrifying stories. Harvey Weinstein got what he deserves. Actress Ashley Judd spoke up initially, and that gave others courage as well. Imagine if she never said a word? He could’ve gotten away with it forever. Now let that sink in and imagine just how many thousands or millions of women are afraid, waiting for someone like Judd to get the ball rolling. In some cultures, if a woman has been sexually abused, no one will want to marry her. Can you blame victims for not speaking out? Even if they spoke out, chances are that the perpetrator might not be jailed. Give women a guaranteed safe platform and they will bring down everyone.
From Ms Shipra Roma
Dubai
Need a safe platform
What the Harvey Weinstein scandal has exposed is the influence a person’s power can have in an industry, through victim blaming and sexual harassment. So many women, who have now come forward, said they didn’t speak up before because Weinstein had the ability to end their careers. No one should ever be placed in a situation where they are forced to stay silent because of one heinous individual. Thankfully, now that he has been expelled from the Academy and his own career is ruined, his influence has diminished. What we need is a safe platform, like Ms Shipra Roma mentioned, for women to express themselves without any fear, and not be blamed or shamed, or afraid they may lose their careers.
From Ms Divya Suri
Dubai
Accept the victim
I think the biggest factor that forces women into quiet submission is victim-blaming. When women make the decision to step into a public space and talk about the abuse they have faced, they are asked questions about what they were wearing, where they were, what time they were out and other questions that are equally invasive and disrespectful. It is very rarely that the spotlight is fixed on the man, and his motivations and intentions behind committing the horrible act. And that is why most cases of physical abuse go undocumented, and women live their lives in fear and shame. If we want more women to feel comfortable sharing their experiences of harassment, then we, as a society, need to hear them, and more importantly, accept them.
From Ms Farheen Hassan
Glasgow, Scotland
Editor’s note: Is there a debate topic that you feel strongly about? Something that you would like to see addressed in the community? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
