Rape is a heinous crime that has devastating effects on survivors, their families, and communities. Despite its severity, rape remains a pervasive issue worldwide, with cases often going unreported, unpunished, or trivialized. It’s crucial to ask ourselves: when will we start taking rape cases seriously or will we shut our mouths to this inhumane act because ‘Beta, Izzat ka sawal hai’. Just for the sake of ‘Izzat’ of the men in the family, women are forced to stay quiet and endure her pain within.
The Alarming Reality
Rape is a global epidemic, with millions of cases reported annually. In Pakistan, according to the country’s official data, a woman is raped every two hours and the culprit is not always a stranger but could be the well known men to the family. The actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. The trauma and stigma associated with rape often lead survivors to remain silent.
The Need for Collective Action
We must recognize that rape is not just a personal issue but a societal problem that requires collective action. We need to:
- Break the Silence: Encourage open conversations about rape, creating a safe space for survivors to share their stories.
- Educate and Raise Awareness: Teach consent, healthy relationships, and gender equality to prevent rape.
- Support Survivors: Provide resources, counselling, and legal aid to help survivors heal and seek justice.
- Hold Perpetrators Accountable: Ensure swift and fair punishment for rapists, sending a strong message that rape will not be tolerated, eg; publicly hanged to death.
We Can Be Next
The harsh reality is that anyone can be a victim of rape. It’s crucial to recognize that we or someone we know could be next. Empathy and understanding are essential in building a supportive community that takes rape seriously. Are we waiting to be next? but do we think that being next will bring any change in the society? Instead we’ll be remembered on social media for a day or two and everyone will forget and move on with their lives that’s the harsh reality, we cannot expect betterment from the authorities and law and order and we’ll also be a file to their long untouched pile.
Taking rape seriously requires a fundamental shift in our mindset and actions. We must work together to create a culture of consent, empathy, and accountability. Only then can we hope to eradicate this scourge and ensure a safer future for all.
Let’s make a conscious effort to start taking rape cases seriously – today.
