Gender Violence

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Gender Violence

Violent Stranger Myth

In most gender crimes, especially sexual violence ones, members of the public usually think that the acts are committed by unknown people who lurk in alleyways or bushes. However, this myth is a fallacy because most cases have proven that victims are assaulted by people they are familiar. Such instances are well documented and illustrate that family members, coworkers and even friends are the culprits. Moreover, it is shocking that these crimes also happen in familiar places.

Scenario

Jane is on her way from work when she stops by a convenient store to buy grocery shopping. On her way to her car, she is violently attacked by a stranger who leads her into a secluded section of the parking lot and defiles her. Upon getting assistance from first time responders an hour later, she is hospitalized for medical care and investigations are launched. Initially, the case drags without a lead due to a lack of a suspect as everyone thinks it was a stranger. However, CCTV footage of the store reveals that Mark, her coworker was the attacker.

Blame and Believability Factors

In every sexual assault case, people form their own opinions on who is to blame for the offence. Accordingly, it is common for some to blame the victim for her manner of dress as provocative hence triggering the act. Furthermore, they consider her complicit in the action due to their penchant for turning a mutually consented action into a rape case. Consequently, they doubt her vulnerability.

Scenario

Nancy had attended a family reunion in her native Colorado during her teen. The presence of an extended family provided an illusion of plurality, which helped to create a false sense of security. In the evening, while being tucked into bed, her uncle inappropriately groped her under the guise of giving her candy for her silence. She was not able to report the matter due to the lack of believability in the society.

Benevolent Sexist Beliefs

The above depiction refers to the belief that women are weak and need protection from men as well as care aimed at teaching them certain skills.

Scenario

Brook is a young and attractive blonde-haired secretary who works at a large printing firm in New York. During office meetings, she is often interrupted in her speech by Jack, a supervisor especially during heated debates. In most instances, these scenarios occur when senior management officials are assessing the employees’ performance. Moreover, his interjections are laden with a lot of praise for her. One day she confronts him about it and he reassures her that she is a pretty woman who needs a man in an authoritative position to vouch for her in order for her to avoid being fired for blunders.

Dual Arrest

The report of a gender crime to the relevant authorities may result in the arrest of both partners in suspicion of having violated the rights of each other. As such, it is a reflection of the conflicting interpretations of the events during a violent domestic dispute.

Scenario

Bill and Rose are a normal couple with three children living in a middle-income neighborhood. Having undergone many financial challenges recently, Bill confronts his wife over extravagant purchases and a row ensues. An agitated Bill hits her several times when issues of infidelity also crop up. In fact, he threatens to kill her as well. However, manages to dial for emergency services and uses a nearby baseball bat to immobilize Bill who was on his way to retrieving a gun from a nearby shelf. Therefore, when the police arrive, they arrest the two based on the visible injuries suffered by each other.

Court Talk

Judicial jurisdictions have certain terms used when prosecuting crimes that are committed while targeting a person’s gender. They are used to distinguish different types of crimes.

Scenario

In an ongoing court case, Kelly is called to testify against her husband Tom. Upon taking the witness stand, she informs the court that Tom was the instigator of marital rape during their short-lived 2-year marriage. Consequently, she goes on to describe his use of force in seeking sexual her to meet his sexual advances especially whenever he was drunk. Accordingly, the trial is enlightened on the use of the term as referring to the forceful engagement in sexual activities without the consent of the spouse.