28 March, 2024

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Practical Solutions To Curb The Rate Of Rape

By Muhammed Fazl

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Muhammed Fazl

Muhammed Fazl

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” – Martin Luther King

Having met with a barrage of flak for my article”Are Women To Be Blamed For Rape?” from a section of the online readers, as much as I take it all on a positive stride for the awareness created, I believe the burning issue of rape is yet to be taken seriously… let alone be addressed.

Unfortunately, more than the plight of victims itself, the absence of a practical solution coupled with the lack of will makes the situation look even more poignant. To make matters worse, the moment sensible suggestions are put forward, the supposedly ‘learned’ ones tend to blow a fuse when they realize of a possible requirement to make ‘lifestyle’ adjustments for the greater good of the not-so-fortunate living amongst us.

Clarifying any misconceptions one might have based on my last article, AT NO STAGE have I justified rape, blamed the rape victim or made an indication of being an apologist for the perpetrator. Readers need to understand the difference between blaming a victim and blaming probable and/or negative external influences behind such crimes. Readers also need to understand the fact that this is not about a struggle between them women and us males. Belonging to a right-thinking humane society, we as a nation should be united against a common enemy… an unknown enemy at that who does not even have an established profile.

It is also unfortunate that to date, there exist not an effective judicial system nor a pilot plan to contain the menace. Having read comments on my Facebook page by ill-informed feminist voices about the need to teach boys not to rape, about the need to teach sex-education at schools and for insisting on being oblivious to possible indecent behavior of the very same creature that rapists gets attracted to, I was quite surprised by their limited knowledge of ground realities. Also of their failure to understand the minority status of the abnormal minds living amongst us men.

Interestingly, as per this site, the highest case of rape seems to occur mostly in highly developed countries with equally high literate populations. So in essence, the age-old myth of focusing on uneducated characters when identifying rapists seems to be far-fetched.

Woman dancing in a clubFurthermore, with prostitution being legal in most of the countries in the list above, discount one must to a certain extent the possibility of sexual frustration being a factor. Paradoxically, forced sex can take place when there is a need for sexual gratifications as well. In this context, though I cannot be certain of rapists experiencing a feeling of pleasure while at it, it is possible for the act to be some sort of a fulfilment of a sick craving, if not purely a physical one… or even a combination of both.

While I reiterate the fact that rapists have NO EXCUSES WHATSOEVER for their actions, however bitter it may be, for the sake of containing this menace, it becomes important for us to acknowledge truths that are clear and cut. When discussing my previous article on social media, it was indeed amusing when hell broke loose the moment I touched the subject of suggestive and sexually arousing dress codes of women. I could have lived with that. But what irked me most was when the focus of discussion was shifted in a flash from the plight of rape victims to in defense of the need to wear tiny bits and pieces of clothing (obviously to attract the opposite sex) by the Senoritas of Colombo. Saddened I was indeed.

As much as wisdom dictates that there cannot be a correlation between the act of rape and dress codes of women in general, I am forced to think otherwise considering the lowest number of rape cases in countries where strict laws are enforced as against rape figures in countries having extremely liberal policies. While the security of women may come at the expense of reduced freedom of movement should there be a higher emphasis on modesty (in behavior & in dress codes), I believe further research needs to be made in favor of striking a balance for the greater good.

They say it takes two to tango and having lived in the USA where women get drunk and end up with strangers for ‘one night stands’, occurrences are so regular that even though it can be considered technically as rape, seldom complaints are lodged. Based on my analysis, while promiscuous women rarely find themselves in positions of distress soon after being sexually victimized, I find a stark contrast when victims belong to conservative societies. Interestingly, both types are contributory factors for unreported cases to outnumber reported ones. Hence, the need to discuss the subject of rape more openly and to set up a conducive backdrop for victims to come forward with their cases. Silence on the part of the victim may encourage the rapist to repeat his crimes and probably take an innocent life while at it.

Yes, it is true that some of the Arabs rape our maids. But what about maids working within our own shores? Do they escape the radar since the employers are not exclusively Muslim? Instead of blaming the Arabs on whom we have no jurisdictions, let us plead with our Sinhalese/Buddhist leadership to put a stop to the ‘flesh trade’ that we rely so much on.

Women are NEVER equal to men. Both are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses. Had women been equals, I believe the need for women to be protected by men does not arise. Women are weak in physical strength, they are creations of beauty, they bring so much joy to this world and they can be extremely intelligent. But with all due respect to their personal freedom and their politically correct notions, if women do not wish to make compromises when dealing with an unknown enemy, apart from the delayed justice of the law enforcement types, I guess we can only pray for God’s direct intervention when in search of justice. Feminist activist and critics may insist for a change of attitude on the part of men, but what they fail to understand is that while women in general are vulnerable, it is impossible to identify possible perpetrators who are extremely small in numbers. Besides, education and capital punishments are never assurances for a sick mind not to strike. Hence, the need to avoid possible situations among others. I hope the following factors may draw the attention of the concerned officials;

  1. Separate seating arrangements in buses and trains. The left or right aisle being reserved exclusively for women.
  2. Total ban of pornography, including proxy sites. (Now I understand why there were so many male critics for my previous article).
  3. Introduction of the death penalty for murderers and life sentences for rapists.
  4. Establishment of DNA labs in each district and the compilation of a data base (with photos, DNA samples, thumb-prints) of convicted and suspected criminals. Usually there is a tendency for criminals to repeat their crimes.
  5. Punishment for individuals for actions of but not limited to ‘cat calling’, teasing, groping and improper touching etc. Public flogging is my personal choice (as in Singapore).
  6. Segregation of sexes in schools where it is possible. Failing which, to make arrangements to seat students separately.
  7. Outright bans on ragging at universities. Once again public flogging based on information received from informants.
  8. Encouragement for locals to wear knee length swimming attire when in public places of bathing and modest dress codes when around men who are not related by blood.
  9. Reduction of the number of outlets selling liquor nationwide.
  10. The raising of the minimum age of drinking to 21. (I consider older as maturity)
  11. Encouragement of parents or male family members to accompany as much their female siblings/offspring when there is a need for them to travel on lonely stretches… especially after the sun sets in.
  12. Encouragement of school going girls in remote parts of the country to travel in groups (especially in the North).
  13. Establishment of a system where a male who moves into a village or to locality for the purpose of residence or work to be registered with the local police.
  14. Setting up of a system where construction workers, plumbers, electricians etc. should be allowed inside houses only if they are registered with a respective regulatory body (as in developed countries). If there is no mechanism in existence at present, it may be about time the authorities looked in to the matter of entering details of manual laborers in to a streamlined system.
  15. Establishment of a system where important details of every citizen (including criminal history) can be obtained by the police in seconds by entering the identity card number on a portable machine (as in Malaysia)
  16. Closure of brothels, Karaoke pubs with female hostesses and massage parlors that doubles as brothels. Let men appreciate and live by making adjustments with the women in their lives (of course there exist a last resort, but let it be the very last resort). Closure of places of ill fame may also prevent men from considering women as objects.
  17. Establishment of counselling centers with staff making regular house visits.
  18. Enforcement of laws criminalizing the employment of household help below the age of 16 and laws concerning the need to register details of maids.
  19. Regular house visits by employees from the Department of social services and the need to empower them to make enquiries individually on all female residents.
  20. Enactment of laws making it compulsory to have counsellors in all schools attended by girls

The list goes on, but in a country where at least eight girls/women are raped on a daily basis as per official reports, instead of the ‘high society’ and the ‘half-learned’ of Colombo playing Russian Roulette just by criticizing messengers on social media, I hope they put their resources together and start analyzing practical and preventive measures while lobbying for stricter punishments at the same time.

*The writer is an independent social/political activist and can be contacted at muhammedfazl@msn.com and through FB (Fazl Muhammed Nizar).

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Latest comments

  • 19
    5

    Dear Fazl,

    Why don’t you cut the crap?

    We know where you are heading. All your solutions are inspired by the book you believe in. Good for you. But, we don’t believe in that book. And will never do. Thanks!

    Fazl has a right to express his ideas. Though rooted in primitive religious dogma. Therefore I welcome him to the debate. We aspire to be a free, open society. We can handle Fazl’s medieval thoughts.

    Rape is terrible crime Sri Lanka must tackle at once. I believe we can do it while we embrace modernity and individual freedom.

    Cheers!

    PS: I am seriously worried about Fazl’s spouse. Apparently, the guy believes women are so weak. Therefore they need his protection 24/7. Ha..ha!

  • 4
    6

    your comments are good, but most liberal type will take it as a offence you stating the obvious, as most Sri Lanken women want to follow the west in dress even by going naked.

  • 4
    0

    Muhammed Fazl

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    RE: Practical Solutions To Curb The Rate Of Rape

    Talk to Saudi Arabians and Indians. They have innovative ways.

  • 4
    1

    Don’t you guys amputate the hand for stealing?…

    • 1
      1

      K.A Sumanasekera

      “Don’t you guys amputate the hand for stealing?… “

      If they have it in Sri Lanka, Mahinda RAjapaksa, his family, shills and cronies would not have any hands left…

  • 6
    2

    .
    Did you get this list from LTTE? because they had all these implemented.

    :-)

  • 12
    1

    Oh dear. You should have just stopped with that last article. You’re digging yourself into a deeper hole.

    And hahahahahahahaha at “they can be extremely intelligent.”. How kind of you.

  • 2
    2

    There is no practical solution for rapes on Tamils as it is a Plan Promotion.

  • 12
    4

    Muhammed Fazl

, have you gone carzy?

    Today’s world is definitely not Arabia 1000 years ago.

  • 4
    1

    Muhammed Fazl,
    I have read some of your earlier articles with interest and learned from you but you should accept that you are not expert in sex, nature or women. Pl refrain from publishing solution to this complex issue which you don’t have good grasp.
    If I tell you women are in general sexually superior to men, do you have any idea what I say here? How much money young, mature and older males spent on drugs to be able to satisfy their woman. Pfizer share market value reached the moon after the invention of Vigra
    Anyway, Raping is a crime, it has differences to other crimes, but it has to be dealt legally, probably much stricter rules and also minimize it with enhancing human social values. But you can’t suggest to behead them or hang them. Or segregate women in public places, you must be insane.. </b.
    Different theory…. We know some birds are stick to pairs but lot of types of birds fish, animals live as groups. By nature, which category human animals belong too? It is said that powerful leaders of ancient civilization imposed those strict marital rules on their peasants with the help of religious (Christian) leaders in order to control their peasants easier. If humans are sexually free (Osho suggests) humans become very relax and calm and not easier to find good murderous soldiers.. (One may like to examine Ghota’s sexuality)

  • 13
    2

    It is sad that all the feedback still has not addressed the root cause, you need to fundamentally examine your thinking. Even your new article is based on the premise of being an apologist to the rapist. Let’s discuss an analogous situation. If there is a man in shorts or a sarong and another man castrates him because his balls were easy to reach, is the man who was castrated at fault for wearing shorts? In the first article you implied it was… in this one you suggest solutions such as wearing two pairs of underwear, wearing ball guards, wearing pants to make the balls less reachable… The problem here is NOT if the balls are easily reachable or not. The problem is the man committing the crime… you need to address the crime and punishment not curtail the freedom of the person to wear shorts… since you don’t seem to understand equal rights, maybe this example will help communicate where you are missing the mark..

  • 12
    1

    Dear Mr.Fazil, please contact a mental health professional, i agree and respect your right to opinion and expression, but this is insane

  • 2
    3

    Muhammed Fazl.

    The list that you came up with is a good one. Rosy should have thought of it first, and implemented it.

    However, don’t worry about the “Senoritas” of Colombo too much – their culture is a more copy of the Western urban cultural landscape. And Western urban culture is clever at incorporating the more carnal nature of society and taking it to a different and more sophisticated level. So, while e.g. call-women operate in reality on the sidelines, the average woman, not to be outdone, merely develops it as a cultural-façade rather than an actual-act. And in places like Sri Lanka it is even more purely a culture of “keeping-up-with-the-sophisticated-Western-look.”

    If the picture in your article is of the young girl dancing invokes lust in anyone, it is not lust, but meanness. It is meanness to see another being, free and happy with life and movement, song and dance. If women are doing so to attract the opposite sex, the attraction of opposite sex is one of an innocent carefree one. Never should such spontaneity of life and zest be dampened down for a few who have darker issues. If the culture of women decided to go into nakedness, it would very soon become one of commonality for men, as women go about naked in certain cultures, and even if another unknown tribe is visiting.

    It is good for men to be attracted and keep feeling attracted. Compare that with the Hijabed society where there’s nothing to ponder on, and sexuality reaches such crazed heights that the need to have 4 wives is overbearing. On top of that, the hijabed men are also known to go on rampages to the city brothels, or if brothels are prohibited, then onto the foreign maids and slaves of Isis. In the Western way, even if some go the bad way, all these obsessions are tempered by the average women themselves who play the part to even it all out.

    You mentioned that liberal places with strong deterrents, and with public floggings (e.g. Singapore), do not have much rape. However, it is not the public floggings that deter rape, but the fact that Singapore is liberal, and so obsessions are more tempered. Also is the fact that it has a whole lot more of money and good education and employment system. There are lot more options for people to think on, and if someone would be a rapist in Saudi for example, all that would evaporate in the more unconstrained and multifarious society of Singapore. Therefore it is very sick for Singapore to incorporate liberality with medieval torture for men.

  • 3
    3

    Nice work trying to make Sri Lanka into a fundamental Muslim country. Btw have you read this? [Edited out]

  • 4
    3

    hi Fazill – all u write is absolutely true- but sadly its time for u to join a greater cause- please goto Syria/Iraq/anywhere to fight for I..IS. we’ll miss you(like the plague) – but what can I say its what u deserve… meanwhile remember to restrain yrself if u see a bikini- millions have done it before!

  • 11
    1

    I thought this author could not get any worse, and here it is! He is now completely advocating for women to be treated as subordinates of men, with no agency of their own.
    I refuse to address this guy as Mr.- it’s too respectful for such an outdated, anti-women opinion holding individual. So, I say this sarcastically. Mr. Muhammad, can you address the issue of UNDER REPORTED RAPE STATISTICS in countries? Also, since when were one night stands, rape??? There is a small difference between sex and rape, but you clearly don’t get it.
    Rape: without consent! Hence illegal. Never blame the victim for the actions of the rapist.
    Sex: With consent! No one needs to file or report it, hence one night stands are not reported…
    Wow, this guy is a disgrace to Sri Lanka and to Islam.
    Islam is a religion that respects women and their choices, and here this individual is advocating for policing of women’s bodies. Now, it’s knee length, next it will be ankle length. The issue is that either way, victims are not to be blamed and women should not be policed, for a crime committed by men.
    Also, about your suggestion for women to dress modestly except when around their relatives, what about rape cases where the crime was perpetrated by their father or brother?
    Dude, go take a basic class in Logic and Statistics. And maybe while you are at it, talk to anyone other than yourself and maybe you will learn that what you are saying is completely offensive and hugely problematic and honestly a disgrace to CT, Islam, and Sri Lanka.

  • 5
    3

    I think Muhammed Fazl has now become the Mad Mullah. Who better a person than he to introduce Sahria law into the country.Ban sex and all forms of sexual activity whether between man and woman or man and man/woman and woman. Next, he will advocate banning of sex between animals on the road. Perhaps, he may advocate Sharia type cutting off of vital organs of dogs mating on the roads. Bah, what a mad, Mad Mullah he is.Idiot!

  • 1
    0

    Hello Fazi,

    What do you have to say about this? [Edited out]

  • 6
    1

    MF

    You are discredited writer. Your last article just showed what a warped and frustrated mind you have. Your advice worth nothing. Get lost in a hole somewhere!

  • 5
    1

    MF

    Your quote “Women are NEVER equal to men…”. and go on to say “both are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses.” Get your thinking right buffoon. With your argument if you say women are not equal to men. The vice verse is also true. MEN are never equal to women. So what is your point? Get into your head neither is below the other – period. Both are EQUAL.

  • 2
    1

    Alright. Solutions or No solutions, another BLOOMING innocent girl in her youth 16 y/o from Killinochchi has been abducted today.

    Swiss Kumar ALLEGED TO HAVE videoed late Vithya’s toroso, was it for overseas consumption at the expense robbing an innocent life OR was it for the consumption of MARAWAN and Trevor Grant or Emmanuel?
    Mr. President, Lets have a quick and thorough Investigation to get to the bottom as promised and have those involved punished.

    When the war was sponsored or supported by GTF and diaspora. Velu & LTTE sacrificed an entire future generations of Tamil Youth & Children who otherwise would have had aspirations of becoming Professionals like any other hard working Tamil.
    Then, they were denied.

    Today, once again Northern tamils have commenced to prey on their ‘Blooming flowers”. WHY ????????????????????????
    Is it TAMIL KARMA/RETRIBUTION or TNA KARMA OR YAHAPALANAYA KARMA??

    MR. SIRISENA, LETS HAVE THAT INQUIRY REPORT IMMEDIATELY.
    WHERE ARE OUR NORTHERN POLITICIANS & ANANTHI ect., HAPPILY dwelling IN COLOMBO?

  • 3
    3

    Very Good suggestions which can be practically implemented! Ministry of Women and Children Affairs should take note of it and try to design action plans at least for some.

    ‘Establishment of a system where important details of every citizen (including criminal history) can be obtained by the police in seconds by entering the identity card number on a portable machine (as in Malaysia)’

    This practice is available in most of the Scandinavian countries as well, perhaps our new regime of government should begin with this?

    I thank CT for bringing this sort of article to the public instead just describing the event of rape or blaming the systems etc.

    Thanks.

  • 0
    2

    “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” – Martin Luther King

    Dear Mr Muhammed Fazl, you have quoted a most relevant. There is a lot of silence:

    Parents stay silent.
    Schoolteachers stay silent.
    Victim students stay silent.
    Judges stay silent.
    Witnesses say silent.

    As you can see there is a lot of silence.

    Most of all the women stay silent. Men are not so like this: a recent example is how in Parliament a certain minister refused to say silent when he was harassed by the a certain Prime Minister.

    Women need to be taught how to respond and how to defend themselves when the need arises. This may be through complaints, pepper sprays, martial arts, whatever it takes.

    You make several good suggestions, but I think that dress has very little to do with it.

  • 5
    2

    Muhammed Fazl has now become a Mad Mullah. Who better a person than he to introduce Sharia law into the country.Ban sex and all forms of sexual activity whether between man and woman or man and man/woman and woman. Next, he will advocate banning of free sex between animals anywhere. Perhaps, he may even advocate Sharia type cutting off of vital organs of dogs mating on the roads. Bah, what a mad, Mad Mullah he is.Idiot!

  • 15
    2

    I would like your opinion on the rape of male children and men by other men? Are you blaming that on short dresses and unsegregated public transport and schools as well?

    • 8
      1

      Kumudini,

      Excellent point.

      Fazl’s solution will be to segregate men from other men on public transport.

      Cheers!

      • 3
        0

        Ben Hurling

        How about men wearing chastity belt to protect themselves and women from being raped?

        Mothers/Mother in laws should retain the keys.

    • 2
      0

      Kumudini

      Well said Kumudini. Great point!!

  • 4
    1

    All your “solutions” to the problem at hand are laughable to say the least.

  • 5
    1

    “Women are NEVER equal to men. Both are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses. Had women been equals, I believe the need for women to be protected by men does not arise. Women are weak in physical strength, they are creations of beauty, they bring so much joy to this world and they can be extremely intelligent. But with all due respect to their personal freedom and their politically correct notions, if women do not wish to make compromises when dealing with an unknown enemy, apart from the delayed justice of the law enforcement types, I guess we can only pray for God’s direct intervention when in search of justice ”

    Is this writer still stuck in middle ages ?

  • 11
    1

    Dear writer,

    Do you realize, in your statistics, that almost all the rape victims are not the “short dress wearing, probably deserving it, had it coming, one party to tango” group of females that you point the finger at?

    Was Divya, a school girl from Jaffna, by any means provocative?

    Majority of the rape victims are confined to relatively underdeveloped areas of Sri Lanka. Do you still hold them partly at fault for inciting rape when they have, by all means, adhered to your levels of acceptable clothing? (I believe the knee length skirt, the mal-mal frock are acceptable attire?)

    Can you possibly BE any more wrong?

    Clearly you have no idea of what the actual problem is. Lack of sexual education and the inherent uber-patriarchal believes is just the tip of the ice burg.

    I understand that you need to write a make a living. But please, is it too much to ask for responsible journalism? Do you even try?

    Stop making a moron out of yourself.

  • 2
    0

    If you view the World through the Koran, all you will see is the Koran.

    http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/quran/index.htm

  • 3
    3

    paul

    “If you view the World through the Koran, all you will see is the Koran.”

    Isn’t it similar to Mahawamsa?

    • 3
      1

      How does this Mahavamsa even fit to this? You just hate mahavamsa because it impedes your illegal political aims in the sinhala native land.. (SL is the nijaboom of the Sinhala) You want to erase it and mahavamsa makes it difficult…Is that why you hate it?

      Between Hindu mythology contain far more stories of incest and exploitation of women even more than Koran

  • 9
    0

    Dear Mr. Fazl,

    It is embarrassing to watch you dig yourself deeper into a hole of ill informed opinion in an attempt to finding solutions to stem rape. I would suggest you first inform yourself on the nature/causes of rape before proposing solutions. This statement is an indication that you have not done your basic research: “an unknown enemy at that who does not even have an established profile”. There’s a whole body of scholarly work done on this that provides a pretty good profile and explanation on the causes of rape. I’ve yet to come across a reference identifying women’s “immodest” clothing as being a cause.

    Seeking sexual gratification is only one cause (according to some researchers a minor cause) of rape; it has more to do with wielding power, sadism, lack of empathy and yes, the attitudes towards victims, among others. The solutions thus have to take into consideration the multifaceted nature of rape. Simplistic solutions such as segregation of sexes and clothing regulations are not the solution and are a diversion from a more meaningful discussion.

    In response to your first post I commented as follows: “Mr. Fazl, Your argument is akin to blaming the Muslim people of Aluthgama for the fate that befell them when a bunch of rabid racist Buddhist priests incited people to go attack, kill and destroy property. Do you realize that your argument that “women have a part to play in their being targeted for rape” is the same ignorant argument that many Buddhists make to justify the BBS’s campaign of hate against Muslims? “The Muslims asked for it”. Regards GTBP”. I would like to elaborate on this.

    Are the solutions to the anti-Muslim hate campaign the following:
    1) segregation of Muslims from the rest of the Sri Lankan community
    2) stop wearing the hijab/abaya/dishadasha/skullcap and males shave their beards (avoid being identified as a target)
    3) request Buddhist friends to accompany Muslim people as they move around or alternatively have Muslims travel around in groups

    I trust you get the point…..

    Regards
    GTBP

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