They all thought it was funny, pointing fingers at me saying it was all my fault. Since when did it become my fault, since when did it become a woman's fault to get raped.
No one's talking, no one is fighting, so I got tired of hoping, waiting, wishing and praying. Maybe they are right after all, it's all my fault. It's my fault I got raped on purpose, it all my doing.
What was I thinking, taking a walk wearing a tank-top on shorts, of course wearing that will get me raped. So I joined the crowd. I couldn't beat them so I kept mute.
Parents were afraid to speak up, telling anyone your daughter or teen got raped means you have been a bad parent, and has failed in parenting.
And then rumours started spreading that another girl got raped, yet another and then parents started getting bigger locks, laid bigger rules for their girls.
"no going out in the evening "
" no walking alone"
"always wear long skirts or pants "
"whenever a guy approach you, run away, don't play smart. Run!"
"trust no one, especially the opposite sex"
And then every girl became afraid. We were no longer safe with our male friends.
The boys started to sit separately in class and the girls did the same. The teachers frowned at any form of discussion between the opposite sex in class. And the church was not left out.
Our parents took our makeups, bought us oversized dresses. Kept us before their watchful eyes, we were no longer free. But all these didn't stop the molestation, rather it made it a norm.
The sight of men frightened us.
Yet no one spoke... Why were we girls been raped? Why the molestation? The mutilation, why the abuse? Why were the men loosing control? Why were they turning into animals? No one asked or may be they got tired of asking when no response or help came.
And then one day the officer's son got rushed to the hospital, we all thought it must be malaria as it is common in my country.
We waited to see him come home, but he never did. And no one told me why.
And a few months after another boy got molested and yet another... And then the tongues started to wag, questions were being asked, voices were rising in accord "stop the molestation, abuse and mutilation"
And then I got thinking, why did it take this long for them to act? Why should the boys be treated differently from the girls? Is it a crime am female? Why should the rules be firmer on us? Why didn't anyone speak for those who had lost pride and dignity, honour and innocence. Why were they all silent?
Why should you keep shut if your child suffers a molestation. Let the police know, visit the hospital, let your child see a counselor. We admit we have animals in human skin among us. But let's rid ourselves of them, report them, have the law deal with them. Lock them up and save a girl or boy from becoming a victim.
It's time we stop folding our hands and start acting. Let's save the coming generation from becoming emotional mess.
Teach your boys to respect the girls and teach your girls same. Discipline the boys as you would your girls. And together we will build a better generation which is morally and psychologically balanced.
JOO
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