(Newswire.net — November 26, 2015) — It seems that people are still largely unaware of major problems in their society and need constant reminder they should do something about it. Does this mean that UN officials should always organise huge campaigns, because people are not interested enough to put a stop to the most tolerated crime in the world today? It seems so.
Data shows that one in three women worldwide suffers either physical or domestic violence, is a victim of trafficking, solicitation, rape or genital mutilation. Many girls are forced to marry young, to have many children or simply turned into slaves. Many are even killed just because they are girls. Even though it is disgusting, horrifying and goes beyond imagination in many people’s minds, it is still widely spread and tolerated.
It is not yet clear what makes people tick when it comes to hurting another human being. Is it a gene, an unhappy childhood or is a person just born as a future bully? Is there a list of signs that show that a person is a potential sex-offender, a rapist or similar? If we see a child molesting animals or other children, is this a positive sign that requires quick reaction? This is just one of the examples of turning a blind eye to the problem that remains and becomes complex in the future.
But even if we deal with bullies, what of the victims? In a majority of cases, victims stay victims forever. Even if they are sure that their abuser cannot hurt them any more, they are insecure, they feel inexplicable guilt, they think they deserved it by being bad and brought it on themselves. Very few of them find strength to stand up for themselves, report the crime and run away from their abuser. Not even after long-lasting therapy sessions are they able to heal, not to mention have a healthy relationship or lead a completely normal life. If you think of a girl whose genitals were mutilated, who suffered abuse most of her life, it is quite clear that she is just barely alive, without any positive attitude towards life.
Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, UN Women executive director said that “there are only 125 countries in the world that have laws against sexual harassment, 119 have laws against domestic violence, but only 52 that have laws on marital rape.” Too few in each category, but she firmly believes that all these kinds of violence can be prevented and eradicated. Let’s trust her on that and contribute to the cause.