Women Tweeting #ThisIsNotConsent; But We Are Not Living In A Perfect World

            Women around the world are tweeting pictures of their underwear with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent as an expression of their outrage against the acquittal of a 27-year old rapist in Ireland. The rapist’s lawyer told the jurors that the victim had worn lacy underwear. Thus the lawyer argued that the 17-year old girl consented to sex.¹ 

            Mary Crilly, director of the Cork Sexual Violence Center, said, “What a woman wears…is her business and does not indicate interest or consent. “It’s never her fault…We’re allowing the perpetrators to get away.””²

            You may be appalled and the Irish legal system may be ridiculed over this decision. The victim cannot be blamed for being raped. You are right in thinking that the young girl’s outfit does not matter in rape. A rape is a crime regardless of victim’s outfit.

            But this incident once again prompts us to contemplate two significant aspects:

            1. Evil could be curtailed. But it is impossible to eliminate evil from our world.

            2. #ThisIsNotConsent hashtag is a product of sound reasoning. However, evil such as rape is not predicated on either sound reasoning or sensible moral judgment. Sound reasoning and sensible moral judgment cannot usher a good sense into the mind of the rapist. Hence, it is incumbent upon those who are vulnerable to evil to primarily protect themselves.

Impossible To Eliminate Evil

            Be mindful that evil cannot be eliminated once and for all.

            For evil to be eliminated once and for all, God should judge Satan and annihilate him (cf. Revelation 20:7-10). Subsequently, the new heaven and a new earth should replace the current heaven and earth. The new earth will be free from all evil, suffering, sickness, and death.

            But as long as we live on this earth, evil will continue to prevail (Ephesians 2:1-2). 

            No two ways about it!

Protect Yourself

            In a perfect world without evil, even a scantily clad or a nude person will not be raped. But such goodness is possible only in a perfect world (sans evil).

            It is impossible to eliminate evil from our world. Hence, primarily, we need to protect ourselves to the best of our abilities.

            If we live in a location known for robbery and theft, then we’d do well to protect our possessions. We cannot expect the police to protect our home when we are diligently careless about our own protection.

            This is a no-brainer.

            Leaving our door unlocked or advertising on social media about our vacation (implying that our home would be uninhabited for a while) would be an open invitation for evildoers to plot an attack against our home.

            Similarly, anyone, let alone women, who are vulnerable to evil, should primarily take care of themselves. You may as well heed to good counsel such as, ‘do not meet a stranger,’ ‘do not travel alone, but if you are to travel alone, take the most appropriate precautions’ etc.

            Likewise, dress in such a manner that you will not be the center of any attraction - be it good or bad.

            This is for your own good! 

Endnotes:

¹https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/15/world/europe/ireland-underwear-rape-case-protest.html

²Ibid.

Website last accessed on 20^th November 2018.