Fixing misperceptions about the mass rapes<\/p>\n
By Saparinah Sadli<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Reactions in the mass media casting doubt on the
\ntruth of mass rapes during the May riots have taken the
\ndiscussion to a level that is bound to have a negative social
\nimpact. The opinions suggest a systematic effort and vested
\npolitical interest behind the widespread media coverage of the
\nrapes, targeted at tarnishing the image of Indonesia abroad.
\nComments of this kind are dangerous as they tend to shy away from
\nthe horrifying reality of rape itself.<\/p>\n
Countering them requires our joint efforts to heal the wounds
\nhurting a nation that has otherwise highly respected the
\nprinciple of social justice. Given the grave implications this
\ncould have on our already vulnerable society, immediate action by
\nthe government is a must.<\/p>\n
Social observer Eddy Noor -- quoted in Antara news agency
\nreporter Sri Muryono's article Did the Mass Rapes Really Happen
\nin Republika daily on Aug. 2 -- said he found the mass rape
\nreports hard to believe because they were illogical. He suggested
\nthe stories could be slanted accounts spread by activists of non-
\ngovernmental organizations, who were not brave enough to produce
\nvictims or report to the police.<\/p>\n
His skepticism is founded on two prevailing stereotypes,
\nnamely the supposed impossibility of men to achieve erection and
\nhave sexual intercourse in front of others, and that rape is
\ninduced by sexual drives. It seems Noor is neither a student of
\nhistory nor of relevant theory on human behavior.<\/p>\n
His views, which are unfortunately shared by others, reflect a
\nconventional way of thinking in terms of stereotypes. These do
\nnot represent the latest developments in understanding just what
\ncreates hatred and how people can be motivated to act in an
\notherwise seemingly irrational manner.<\/p>\n
There are numerous examples of mass rape, such as those which
\noccurred in China (the so-called \"Rape of Nanking\" in 1937),
\nPakistan and more recently in Bosnia and Rwanda, which happened
\nin public and in the absence of apparent overriding \"sexual
\ndrive\" on the part of the perpetrators. Noor should explain why
\nIndonesia is different, particularly in the face of a past
\nhistory of violence against ethnic minorities.<\/p>\n
There is also ample evidence of the power of hate and
\nprejudice in motivating human behavior. Equally important is the
\nevidence of the ability to instill such prejudice through
\nconditioning or brainwashing.<\/p>\n
The latest theory, based on psychological behaviorism, tells
\nus that with sufficient effort, virtually anyone can be trained
\nto act on the will imposed by another.<\/p>\n
In short, people can be conditioned to believe that mass rapes
\nagainst a particular group or community is acceptable behavior,
\neven to the point of having no feelings of guilt or remorse after
\nthe act.<\/p>\n
Noor and others' skepticism is based on the conventional usage
\nof proof as evidence, something absolutely obsolete in the modern
\nworld of handling cases of mass rape.<\/p>\n
International authorities dealing with war crimes in Bosnia
\nand Rwanda explicitly allow victims to bear witness anonymously
\nto protect their own safety. Such protection is critical in the
\ncase of Indonesia, where victims have been directly threatened
\nwith further harm if they \"go public\" with their stories.<\/p>\n
The testimony accumulated so far by various NGOs, along with
\nthe evidence presented by doctors who treated victims, should be
\nsufficient for agreement that the crimes have occurred.<\/p>\n
With this in mind, we must put a stop to further debate and
\ncontroversy on whether mass rapes are conceivable, as well as
\nwhether they occurred in conjunction with the May riots. To not
\ndo so will inevitably have a damaging effect on all parties and
\nmay well induce international intervention.<\/p>\n
We should not lose sight of the fact that our own Law No. 7\/84
\nincluded ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of
\nAll Forms of Discrimination Toward Women. If we do not take a
\nclear and credible stand on this issue, a visit by the UN Special
\nRapporteur on Violence Against Women might not be out of the
\nquestion.<\/p>\n
We, the members of Civil Society on Violence Against Women,
\nurge the authorities to bring immediate clarity on the issue of
\nmass rapes and shift the debate from one of authenticating the
\nevents themselves to finding those responsible.<\/p>\n
We need clear and conclusive answers to the following
\nquestions:<\/p>\n
1. Why was there not a single security officer in the various
\nlocalities of riots?<\/p>\n
2. If security had been present, would the mass rapes have
\nbeen possible?<\/p>\n
3. Why is it that when Jakarta was \"burning\", the otherwise
\nquite effective fire-fighting service was nowhere to be seen,
\nand;<\/p>\n
4. Just who was responsible for the mass rapes which represent
\nthe use of those abhorrent mechanisms, similar to ones used in
\nBosnia and Rwanda, that select a woman's body as the target of
\nattack?<\/p>\n
As a nation, Indonesia has been severely hit and physical
\n(economic) and psychological wounds are deep. We now need to join
\nforces to pursue an optimal recovery from the impact of the May
\nriots. Articles like Sri Muryono's do nothing to contribute to
\nthis effort.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto, who is also
\nchief of the Armed Forces, made a commitment in a meeting with
\nour organization on July 31. We urge him to confirm the
\ncommitment of the Armed Forces to guarantee the security of each
\nand every member of society, whomever he or she may be.<\/p>\n
Dr. Saparinah Sadli is from the Civil Society on Violence
\nAgainst Women. She is also a member of the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights. This article is based on an open letter to Gen.
\nWiranto.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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