THE EDITOR, Sir:
UNFORTUNATELY, THE grim experience as reported in your Letter of the Day of April 8, 2005, is that of many rape cases today. Rape is an act of violence, an assault, in which one forces oneself on another to have sex against his/her will. Rape is no different from robbery. But the response to rape is frequently that it is the victim's fault.
It is because of the reaction of society in general that rape is so seriously under-reported. Many victims experience slow and sometimes judgmental police response, slow medical attention and unclear follow-up to medical examination, and slow and often embarrassing judicial processing. Furthermore, abortion is still unlawful, even in rape cases.
A proactive organisation, Woman Inc., operates The Crisis Centre which offers a 24-hour counselling service and short-term Crisis Shelter. Woman Inc. Hotline Volunteers at 929-2997/ 926-9398 in Kingston or 952-9533 / 952-9534 in Montego Bay have information at hand that is useful in emergencies involving rape, domestic violence, incest and sexual harassment at the workplace. Woman Inc., Kingston, also offers free walk-in counselling at the Crisis Centre at 7 Denehurst Avenue, Kingston 10.
In addition, police awareness of the needs of victims of rape and domestic violence has been a major focus of the organisation and Woman Inc. continues to participate in the Police Training Programme at Twickenham Park. Other activities include general public education and lobbying with other agencies for legal reform and law enforcement.
But we can sometimes prevent rape. Avoid dark places, short cuts. Lock doors when driving. Don't take rides from strangers. Don't drive even with acquaintances if they have been drinking. Try to act calm and unafraid to discourage assailant. Scream.
Though there is much legislation in place to provide guidelines, the most difficult task for any society to move forward is that of changing how it thinks and what it accepts. Asking ourselves a simple question such as, "Does my mother or sister ask to be raped?" may give us a simple answer. Above all, in the face of such a crisis, be there for the victim.
I am, etc.,
PATSY MAIR
pmair@cwjamaica.com
Public Relations Coordinator
Woman Inc., Kingston
