END VICTIM-BLAMING NOW
The Issue
The world is not a safe place, not for a woman. Women experience violence that is different from what men experienced. They are continuously exposed to abuse and rape in different kinds of environments.
According to the Philippine National Police, there were 3,016 rape cases nationwide since the start of enhanced quarantine on March 17 until August of 2020; daily average of 18 rape cases every day. Moreover, during this quarantine, inappropriate comments on women's pictures are often seen on social media.
Yet, those who dare speak up about their sexual harassment experiences are often criticized by many. They are being bombarded with questions about their testimony. They are being blamed for the harassment that they never wanted to happen in the first place.
Victim-blaming is not a new issue in our country. Victims are often attacked with comments such as “Bakit kasi napaka revealing mo manamit?”, “Bakit hindi ka sumigaw?”, and the most common of them all, “Natural sa lalaki ang ganon kaya dapat ikaw na lang ang mag adjust.” Victims are being criticized for not doing something to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. But with all the time people spend condemning the victim, are they not also giving perpetrators an excuse for their wrongdoings? People tend to forget that victims are not the ones to blame; they are not the ones who committed a crime.
This petition aims to raise awareness about rape culture and victim-blaming; this needs to end. Blaming the victims can cause emotional distress. It causes them to stop reporting the awful things happening to them. And if awful experiences are not said, then how are we going to prevent it from reoccurring?
Furthermore, this petition also aims for government officials, especially those in the legislative department, to restrict and prohibit victim-blaming to ensure that such stigma on rape culture ceases to exploit women and their experiences for sexual harassment.
Victims of sexual harassment have suffered a lot. Negative judgments only put salt on their wounds. Instead of placing the blame on them, we need to work with each other in bringing their perpetrators to justice. Let us end the rape culture and make the world a safer place for everyone.
DISCLAIMER:
No copyright infringement intended.
I do not own the photo in this petition. They belong to its rightful owners.
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The Issue
The world is not a safe place, not for a woman. Women experience violence that is different from what men experienced. They are continuously exposed to abuse and rape in different kinds of environments.
According to the Philippine National Police, there were 3,016 rape cases nationwide since the start of enhanced quarantine on March 17 until August of 2020; daily average of 18 rape cases every day. Moreover, during this quarantine, inappropriate comments on women's pictures are often seen on social media.
Yet, those who dare speak up about their sexual harassment experiences are often criticized by many. They are being bombarded with questions about their testimony. They are being blamed for the harassment that they never wanted to happen in the first place.
Victim-blaming is not a new issue in our country. Victims are often attacked with comments such as “Bakit kasi napaka revealing mo manamit?”, “Bakit hindi ka sumigaw?”, and the most common of them all, “Natural sa lalaki ang ganon kaya dapat ikaw na lang ang mag adjust.” Victims are being criticized for not doing something to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. But with all the time people spend condemning the victim, are they not also giving perpetrators an excuse for their wrongdoings? People tend to forget that victims are not the ones to blame; they are not the ones who committed a crime.
This petition aims to raise awareness about rape culture and victim-blaming; this needs to end. Blaming the victims can cause emotional distress. It causes them to stop reporting the awful things happening to them. And if awful experiences are not said, then how are we going to prevent it from reoccurring?
Furthermore, this petition also aims for government officials, especially those in the legislative department, to restrict and prohibit victim-blaming to ensure that such stigma on rape culture ceases to exploit women and their experiences for sexual harassment.
Victims of sexual harassment have suffered a lot. Negative judgments only put salt on their wounds. Instead of placing the blame on them, we need to work with each other in bringing their perpetrators to justice. Let us end the rape culture and make the world a safer place for everyone.
DISCLAIMER:
No copyright infringement intended.
I do not own the photo in this petition. They belong to its rightful owners.
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Petition created on November 28, 2020