Fighting back against violence and cuts

One in three women around the world will be raped or beaten in her lifetime….that’s one BILLION women!

The figures in Scotland bring little comfort.  In 2012/13, 1372 rapes, 90 attempted rapes and 7,693 sexual offices were reported to the police in Scotland. This represents a 16% rise compared to the previous year.

The recent high profile cases of actors and celebrities such as William Roach, Ian Watkins, Jimmy Saville, Stuart Hall, Ralph Harris, Michael Souter, Paul Gambaccini, Clifford Luton and some others demonstrate not just how wide spread an issue it is but also how difficult it has and continues to be for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and childhood sexual abuse to come forward.

One of the main reasons for this is the fear of not being believed and the amount of victim blaming, even with young girls, that exists within society.  Rape Crisis Scotland reported that less than a fifth of survivors in touch with Rape Crisis Centres have reported their experiences to the police. Focus on what women wear, the amount they drank and their behaviours or sexual history all receive far more attention than the actions and behaviours of the perpetrators.

There was outrage when a judge described a 13-year-old as a “sexual predator” and let a 41-year-old paedophile, Neil Wilson walk free from court, with a suspended sentence!  Even more shocking was the comments from the QC for the Crown Prosecution Service, Robert Colover, “The girl is predatory in all her actions and she is sexually experienced.” Rightly this case is being reviewed.

However, these views and attitudes are being increasingly challenged.  Last year the rape and murder of a young student in India provoked mass demonstrations not just across India but the world.

growing protests

There has been growing anger and protests in Western Kenya against the leniency of the court sentencing of 5 men for the brutal gang rape of a 16 year old young women in June last year.

They walked free with a sentence of cutting the grass!! There have been regular protest and they have managed to collect 1.2 million signatures to demand changes in the law.

The development of the Slutwalk movements and campaigns within many universities challenging rape culture show the increasing confidence and willingness of women to take up these important issues.

More needs to be done, not just in challenging sexism rape, sexual and domestic abuse, but in fighting to defend key services.

Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre announced last month that they face closing their support service in May of this year due to losing their funding.

They are not alone, with most Rape Crisis Centre’s underfunded and dependent on short term funding.  There are also whole parts of Scotland with no support services at all.

With the growing attacks on jobs and services, these vital services will come under increasing pressure to survive.

We will continue to challenge sexism and the growing rape culture, but will ensure that we link these struggles to the trade union and community campaigns fighting austerity and defending jobs and services.