Do not wear a bikini on vacation, lest you get raped
Posted at 2:05 PM Feb 02, 2010
By Andrea Grimes
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At least, that's the schpiel coming out of the Goa tourism department, according to GlobalPost:
Once upon a time, the beaches of Goa were known for free love. But as a string of high-profile sexual assaults on tourists culminated in the alleged rape of a 9-year-old Russian girl last week, the idyllic strip of sand along the Arabian Sea is fast gaining a fearful reputation.That's right, if you're a 9-year-old in a swimsuit, you're responsible not only for "titillating," but by extension for being violently sexually violated. The mens, they can't help themselves!
The answer? According to the state's ministry of tourism, those cute pre-teens in two-pieces are asking for it.
"You can't blame the locals; they have never seen such women. Foreign tourists must maintain a certain degree of modesty in their clothing. Walking on the beaches half-naked is bound to titillate the senses," New Delhi's Mail Today newspaper quoted Pamela Mascarhenas, Goa's deputy director of tourism, as saying Friday.
Until victim-blaming is seen as being so incredibly preposterous as to seem nigh unthinkable, I am happy to continue bringing our Doll readers more and varied examples of the ways in which women are seen as being responsible for their own rapes.
Some recent victim-blamings of note:
- Advice columnist Amy Dickinson is all, hey, don't get drunk, because then you'll get raped and it's your fault.
- Worse, presumably, than getting raped because you're drunk, is getting gang-raped by upwards of 15 men because you're drunk. Again, seriously, the mens can't help themselves!
- Also, wearing provocative clothing is clearly asking to be sexually harassed at work.
- And, just in case, don't get a job--because then you might get raped, and, I can't believe I have to spell this out for you, it will be no one's fault but yours.
- I MEAN IF YOU RAPE A HOOKER IS THAT STEALING? HAHAHAHAHA. No, idiot, it's rape.
- And just for fun: daylight rape, the hilarious punchline.
Comments
Would you kiss a rattlesnake?
Do you wear your seat belt?
Do you go night jogging in a park alone?
Do you study the sexual politics and dress code of the unfamiliar territory you plan to be a "tourist" in?
Awareness is key. Education is all. And as long as we find ourselves living in a world of victim blaming, we might also focus on ways to keep our heads from going through the windshield.
Posted 02/02/2010 at 02:23:18 PMLauren,
Your comment is more why women should learn self-defense, and less about how we should cover up.
I don't care how women dress, and yes, all women should be aware. A 9 year old shouldn't be sexualized, sure, but part of that is her NOT BEING RAPED.
Pointing out the victim-blaming when it occurs is a great way to keep it from happening. It may not keep women from being raped in the first place, but it sure as hell is going to help protect their psyches once they are.
Posted 02/02/2010 at 05:51:03 PMI think it's fairly obvious that a 9 year old should be able to walk a beach in a bikini without being raped.
Posted 02/03/2010 at 06:54:22 AMThat said, I also think it's basic common sense that strutting around a beach in a bikini (if you're a teenager or adult) in a foreign country where women are expected to maintain a certain standard of modesty is foolish and disrespectful. I would be hard pressed to have much sympathy for a grown woman who chose to vacation in such a country, wore a bikini in public and was subsequently raped. Learn about where you're going! It's no different than tourists getting caned for breaking the law in other parts of the world; you have a responsibility to get in line with the customs and laws of wherever you choose to vacation.
Hard pressed to have sympathy for a rape victim because of what she was wearing? My God, the very SOUND of the point being missed is deafening.
Posted 02/05/2010 at 02:17:25 PMEveryone has the independence for what he or she doing.Many sea beaches like Miami,Bangkok sea beach,Florida Sea beach, Bahamas Beach the girls wear bikini in swimming and enjoying their appearance.But Rape is a totally different case.
Posted 07/02/2010 at 11:29:38 AM