Khidmat ADUN and AWAM launch 'No Excuse to Rape' digital campaign

PETALING JAYA: On an average, every 35 minutes there is one girl or woman being raped in the country.
Every year there are some 3,000 rape cases reported which many feel could be just the tip of the iceberg as studies show only two out of every 10 cases are reported to the authorities with many of the victims being below the age of 16-years.
In 2013, there were 2,122 rape cases involving minors.
In disclosing these details, Khidmat ADUN Damansara Utama and All Women's Action Society (AWAM) said they viewed the matter seriously and felt there was a need to create awareness among children and women on the need to safeguard themselves against rapists.
A digital campaign – No Excuse to Rape Campaign with the slogan "Rogol adalah rogol. Tiada Alasan" was launched today by Damansara Utama State Assemblywoman Yeo Bee Yin together with AWAM with aim to break the gender victim blaming culture in the country and raise awareness about statutory rape, substance-related rape and marital rape.
Yeo said rape cases can be reduced if there was greater awareness besides addressing the taboos, myths and mindsets that exacerbate rape culture.
"One fact that should be understood clearly is that the act of rape is never the fault of the victims but the rapists. Hence, this digital campaign's main target audience is the men," added Yeo.
Yeo also added that various social studies have shown that woman attire is not a significant factor of rape.
"Women are often seen as an object, a possession or somewhat inferior than men in eastern culture and women's attire is often cited as a reason to rape. Various social studies have shown that woman's attire is not a significant factor of rape. They found that instead of sexual attractiveness, rapists actually looked for signs of passiveness and submissiveness," she added.
The campaign is also to highlight low success rate in charging rapists as according to the Home Ministry, 28,471 rape cases were reported from 2005 to July 2014 and only 16% of them (4,514 cases) were brought to court with 2.7% of them (765 cases) were found guilty.
Yeo said the result in rapists being acquitted or given lesser sentences is due to delay in making police reporters, victims withdrawing their reports, lack of cooperation, commitment of victims and witnesses (willing party), lack of criminal evidence, documentation difficulties, identifying and arresting suspects and no supporting statements from witnesses, medical reports and chemical reports to support victim's statement.
AWAM Project Director Betty Yeoh said rape is a form of violence against woman and many girls and women did not know or unaware of what to do when they are faced with rape.
"Many do not know if they are afraid to go to the police station, they can go to One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) in all government hospitals. They will get medical attention, support by social workers and the police will be called to take a report.
"We hope this initiative will educate women on rape and what they should do if they are victims of it," she added.
Selangor state government has allocated some RM20,000 for this digital campaign on social medias.
Rape victims who need help can call AWAM at 03-78770224.