Men, what are you going to do to stop rape?

Press, 14 November 1985, Page 13

Men, what are you going to do to stop rape?

It is 8 a.m. I have just farewelled my husband for the day. In the warmer weather I enjoy throwing open the French doors connected to the living area, but I no longer feel free to do that. Instead, all doors and windows are firmly locked, and even at night only the most inaccessible bedroom window is left ajar. Why? After a steady stream of atrocious rapes, violence, and murder, I am no longer prepared to take the risk of being a victim. This is New Zealand 1985 version. I have studied newspaper reports on the matter, watched television documentaries, and listened to radio talk-back where the host became upset at the many calls advocating harsh cure-alls and a male criminologist was recruited to convince people that their suggestions for a quick solution would not be effective.

But, like other women in New Zealand, I have had enough. I want something effective done now. In my view, the crime of violating someone’s body must be kept apart and treated much more seriously than crime involving material possessions. Nothing can wipe from the mind the devastating experience of being raped or sexually assaulted. While more than half the population in New Zealand is female, the

unhappy fact is that New Zealand’s highest governing body is made up of a majority of white middle-aged, middle-class males. They also dominate local bodies, civil service, Government boards and commissions, as well as business, education, and religious groups. Most of these respectable men would register concern, even though statistically it can be shown that a percentage of them will be guilty of sexual violence. We have no choice, in the short term at least, but to turn to these men to deal with the problem. Only men really know what and how men think. Do they subconsciously admire their violent male counterparts? For example, what logic is there when a mother is sentenced to four years jail for manslaughter in an attempt to protect her young daughter from sexual attack, but a man who sexually assaults a girl of 12 years is only fined $lOOO for a second offence?

Why do men play sport and socialise with clubmates who are known to be convicted child molesters or wife abusers? Yet many would sign the petition against homosexual law reform among consenting males. From a woman’s point of view it is difficult to comprehend the logic of these actions, but at present we are stuck with men to find a

solution to this problem and a solution they must hasten to find. Women can offer some assistance: encourage men to read the constant reports of sexual abuse before they turn to their favourite reading — sports and finance,encourage a bit of good oldfashioned boycott in the sports clubs, lodges, and Rotary, or any other place where men congregate. Meanwhile, the ever-increasing number of academic experts may advocate education, neighbourhood support, and increased understanding of the offender’s motives — all long-term potential solutions. But in the short term more severe penalties appear to be the only solution to protect New Zealand women. The argument that prison sentences will only incur more expense to the taxpayer is not valid. First, expense should not be spared regarding this issue; and second, in the event of a short-term solution not being found, women, like the mother mentioned earlier, will take the law into their own hands. If a lengthy prison sentence does nothing else, it will keep the sexual abuser out of circulation. So tally ho, gentlemen — forget about the overseas deficit and the latest cricket socre for a while. Gather your famous old boys’ network about you, for the ball is in your court.