2008 Woodie Awards
No easy answers to sexual violence
Opinion Editorial
Laura Pedro - News Editor
Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Opinion
Gender violence has never been a more prevalent issue than it is today. In wake of the recent abduction and murder of Michelle Gardner-Quinn, which was seemingly if not undeniably sexually motivated, and recent headlining sexual assault cases, women have reason to be afraid.
Now women must become aware.
The gunman who took ten female hostages in an Amish schoolhouse, singled out the girls, aged six to 13, and forced all older women and males to leave the room. Press reports say that the attack was sexually motivated.
Several weeks earlier, a middle aged man took six girls hostage in a Colorado classroom, and in the same manner, hand picked "small girls, many with blond hair." Press reports confirm that the gunman "sexually assaulted and traumatized" some of the victims.
These attacks represent the consistent trend of young girls being targeted for sexual assault. Statistics from the National Violence Against Women survey found that 21.6 percent of women who survived rape were under the age of 12, and 32.4 percent were between the ages 12 to 17.
Now the problem that once loomed in the distance has hit home. Females in Burlington fear walking alone downtown, as well as on-campus. Friends of mine have refused to come over on school nights because they're afraid of having to walk home alone.
Over and over again the same solution is offered. Women are told not to walk by themselves; to find a male escort. Is this just a case of replacing one male with another?
Women are told not to walk home alone because of male predators in society. And yet, by asking a male to walk her home, a female faces the same threat.
The survey found that of the 17.6 percent of women who survived a rape or attempted rape, 64 percent were assaulted by spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend, or date. There is no guarantee that the male friend who offers to walk you home won't become the feared sexual assaulter, especially when alcohol is involved.
Now women must become aware.
The gunman who took ten female hostages in an Amish schoolhouse, singled out the girls, aged six to 13, and forced all older women and males to leave the room. Press reports say that the attack was sexually motivated.
Several weeks earlier, a middle aged man took six girls hostage in a Colorado classroom, and in the same manner, hand picked "small girls, many with blond hair." Press reports confirm that the gunman "sexually assaulted and traumatized" some of the victims.
These attacks represent the consistent trend of young girls being targeted for sexual assault. Statistics from the National Violence Against Women survey found that 21.6 percent of women who survived rape were under the age of 12, and 32.4 percent were between the ages 12 to 17.
Now the problem that once loomed in the distance has hit home. Females in Burlington fear walking alone downtown, as well as on-campus. Friends of mine have refused to come over on school nights because they're afraid of having to walk home alone.
Over and over again the same solution is offered. Women are told not to walk by themselves; to find a male escort. Is this just a case of replacing one male with another?
Women are told not to walk home alone because of male predators in society. And yet, by asking a male to walk her home, a female faces the same threat.
The survey found that of the 17.6 percent of women who survived a rape or attempted rape, 64 percent were assaulted by spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend, or date. There is no guarantee that the male friend who offers to walk you home won't become the feared sexual assaulter, especially when alcohol is involved.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Quizzle
posted 11/07/06 @ 12:39 AM EST
This article is well-written, provoking, and insightful. Laura is basically an amazing writer and I love her.
Post a Comment