Dear Editor,
“Rape culture covers everything from victim-blaming to the prevailing notion of rapists as menacing strangers who attack from bushes — not friends, confidants, mentors or spouses. Rape culture teaches women to rearrange their lives to avoid being raped (by not walking alone at night, by not wearing certain clothing, by carrying pepper spray and so on) rather than simply teaching men not to rape. In rape culture, there are few consequences for rapists — even fewer if they are rich, famous or powerful. Feminists believe rape culture discourages women who are raped from reporting it because there are so many disincentives for doing so, such as having their credibility trashed, especially if the perpetrator is well-liked” (Washington Post, November 25, 2014).
This is a quote taken from a report on the rape allegations being made against American comedian Bill Cosby. I would say that we have a rape culture in Guyana. And it is not just errant or misguided policemen who subscribe to it.
Yours faithfully,
Ryhaan Shah
