Confronting sexual violence: Punishment alone won’t solve the crisis

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In the wake of several assaults on women, sexual abuse and a disquieting rise of violations, including the abuse of an 8-year old by members of the family, society in general has erupted in rage and disbelief.

The last incident, where an 8-year old was sexually abused by those who are supposed to be her guardians, leaves us shocked.

At the same time, we are face to face with a very deviant trait in society, which seems to have spread insidiously.

The perpetrators who violated the child are in custody while the demand of the nation is for a swift resolution of the case and an exemplary punishment.

The general feeling of swift punishment will act as a deterrent.

In the last one month, there have been several cases where women became the targets, from being violated inside a bus to being lured into a sex-trap and a savage death, following friendship via social media platforms.

PERVERSION HAS CREPT IN

Obviously, we feel outraged and indignant because these incidents threaten the safety of women both in rural and urban areas.

What is more disconcerting is the nature of the crimes and the deviant dimension to them.

A month ago, a 15-year old girl was brutally raped and killed when she went to meet a 22-year old whom she had befriended via social media.

The guy in question took her to an empty flat and then, with several others, violated her viciously until the girl lost her life.

We now have the 8-year old who was attacked by none other than those who are related to her.

The fact that a young man and his father-in-law were involved in violating the minor underlines a clearly marked line of perversion.

If we recall, several years ago, a photographer of some repute was arrested by police when it was discovered that he was luring children from low income families and those living on the streets to pose for explicit images, which were later sold overseas to paedophile websites in the dark net.

For obvious reasons, this provoked an uproar but like all such incidents, they lost the shelf life and we forgot about it.

There is no news as to the whereabouts of this photographer: is he in prison or was he quietly given release on bail?

Sexual crime forms a bulk of criminal acts in modern cities and we all need to accept that!

Eradicating this scourge is impossible although with the right measures, the damage can be minimised.

The current call is for immediate punishment, which is justified, given the savagery of the recent crimes.

At the same time, there needs to be an in depth assessment as to how such depravity has entered the social structure.

The answer may lie in centuries of demonising sexual intimacy as shameful and suppressing all sex-related topics.

A natural urge like many other human desires, sexual intimacy has either been treated as taboo or vehemently denounced as “Akaam” or a “misdeed”.

Consequently, due to lack of open discussion within the family and at the academic sphere, wrong notions layered with a sense of guilt has resulted in the development of horribly warped concepts.

At a certain time, families must bring out the male-female intimacy issue for candid talks, which not only clears plenty of misconceptions but also makes a person aware of what has to be done to protect oneself.

Let’s take the girl who went to meet the boy she had befriended on social media as an example.

If she had shared the information about meeting a male friend, either with senior family members or with her teacher or friend, then, for her own safety, the family or the teacher or friend would have ensured she kept the location on her phone open to track her movements.

Deviant sexual fantasies stem from a social creed where even husband-wife intimacy is often frowned upon because from childhood, the physical urge was labelled “unholy”.

A large part of society still has pronounced hesitation to openly state that the purpose of intimacy is not just for procreation but also for pleasure!

PREDATORS IN THE FAMILY

Punishment of the perpetrators of recent physical abuse will take place since there is so much pressure from all sides.

But let’s not be content with only the punishment of one group of criminals.

This will hardly address the issue of deviant sexual proclivities.

The question of the moment: where should a girl feel safe if not within her familiar circle?

That brings us to another despicable culture – the inappropriate touching of minors!

Unfortunately, much of this abominable act is carried out within family spheres where the victim is often forced to remain silent in case she is blamed.

Not surprisingly, these acts are camouflaged under a social creed, which allows or expects us to be tactile.

What is perceived as an affectionate touch may not appear that caring to the person whose body is being touched.

The slight, almost imperceptible distinction between a harmless loving touch and the vile caress of a predator, is often not noticed or, simply dismissed.

While several schools have begun classes focusing on biological changes during adolescence, a more open approach is needed with a nationwide multi-media drive with ten simple rules to stay safe and spot the abuser.

Several newspaper editorials have repeatedly called for the introduction of women police officers to run special cells at all city stations with support from psychologists and youth counsellors who will go to every school and college in a specific ward, holding open discussions and individual counselling sessions.

One of the reforms of the police force has to include a special cell for women, run by women and supported by specialists.

If necessary, the government can seek international support from development partners, either in the form of funds or through training and capacity building. Large business conglomerates should come forward to associate with these campaigns as part of CSR.

Such a cell may begin in rural areas too with support and active participation from the local educated youth.

CAN LICENSED BROTHELS CURB SEXUAL CRIME?

We now wade into contentious territory.

Prostitution is supposed to be legal and regulated in Bangladesh although red light areas such as Taan Bazaar in Narayanganj and English Road in Old Dhaka were demolished on morality grounds more than two decades ago.

The rather elaborate rationale used at that time for the eviction of sex workers from the centuries-old red light areas was that their presence was eroding moral values, leading to decadence.

Many will contend, with reason, that sex work is a vice, whereas others will maintain that this is a necessary evil, essential to keep a check on sexual abuse and rape.

Without doubt, this argument as to whether brothels should be given the green light or not will provoke strong reactions from puritans and those who abide by social norms.

Although, instead of looking at this from a very black and white angle, the complex imponderables have to be taken into account.

A state-overseen licensed red light zone will provide security to sex workers, health care service, education to their children and, over time, a way out for those who seek to be rehabilitated into the general life.

On the contrary, the smoke and dagger dominated sex industry where everything is clandestine is a bane for sex workers who become victims of exploitative practices, leading to a life of degradation marked by drug abuse, depravity, and sometimes, suicide.

A properly run brothel where workers are regularly screened with focus on hygiene, security, and protection may be a practical need of the time.

Instead of using vacuous exhortations like society must learn to adhere to strict moral code, reality along with its not-too-savoury intricacies have to be grasped.

In conclusion, let’s deviate a bit: in Dhaka, there are often midnight raids at low-cost hotels, which lead to the busting of sex work, catering to the working class people.

Many TV stations also run stories with salacious details of women offering services at budget hotels.

On the other hand, countless high-end escorts who offer services at swanky establishments to wealthy clients are immune to such legal raids.

Instead, these five-star entities are guarded by men and women in uniform and those who revel in them do so with impunity.

A line from Oscar Wilde captures this double standard: The real tragedy of the poor is that they cannot afford anything but self-denial. Beautiful things, like beautiful sins, are the privilege of the rich!

[Towheed Feroze is a former journalist who now plies his trade as a communication specialist.]