Page 275: Another Note About Rape and Victim Blaming

It was my first visit to that building when law should punish the guilty ones and defend those who have been wronged. It was my first attempt to attend a court, to support a person I’ve never met but breaks my heart with her story. She’s a gang rape victim (read the full story here). And just like any victims, she wants justice. Although it doesn’t take a genius to see that justice can’t cure the wounds that they felt because of the rape. The pains linger; in their bodies, their mind, and their souls.

I don’t know about other countries (still doing some research), but in my country, Indonesia, the system is just..bad. Not only that we still use old law with maximum of (only) seven years' criminal imprisonment for perpetrators (if you ask me, I think we should consider to cut their dicks off), but the process to bring the case to the court is long and exhausting and torturing the victim.

I can’t imagine how it feels to be in the same room with people; who have violated your rights, who tainted your body – your sacred place, who ruined your future and dreams, who will be the master of your nightmare. I can’t imagine how it feels to see a place where all bad memories and pains collide when someone forced you and used your body to please the evil urge inside their filthy minds.

And victim blaming! Ah! That fucking monster that still punishes all victims and survivor who have broken already! I wrote about victim blaming two years ago. It’s obnoxious how society could prolong a stupid culture like that. Blame the outfit, blame the situation, blame the victim, but never the system, and just ignore the importance of educate people to punish the perpetrators.

Gah! Wish I could do something other than writing this.
I’m sad. And jaded.

image courtesy: http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2012/10/26/as-victim-and-survivor-rape-i-am-appalled-and-disgusted/

Page 133: Last Lullaby

Perhaps there were intricate words in her head. Floating in abstract movement and left her no choices except mumbling and said discreetly in her head, in her heart; because perhaps that was all she could do. For kept screaming but no one listened. For being tormented soul that sang lullaby to accompanied her through nightmares, even when she awakened. The lullaby and prayers couldn’t expel the pain. Perhaps…

So she lost her appetite to choose path for her own life. The burdens in her chest were too much to handle. So she chose death, through rat poison which she swallowed to end all suffers. What’s the different between suicide and obligation to face your rapist every day, as husband; the despicable and abusive ones?

This story is real. It’s not a movie, novel, or crazy plot inside someone’s mind. “She” is real. Her name is Amina Filali. This 16-year-old girl, killed herself on March 10, after being severely beaten during a forced marriage to her rapist.

Zohra Filali the mother of rape victim, Amina Filali who committed suicide on March 10, shows a picture of her daughter

According to Avaaz, Article 475, in Morocco’s penal code allows a rapist to avoid prosecution and a long prison sentence by marrying his victim if she is a minor. Since 2006, the government has promised to strike this down and pass legislation prohibiting violence against women, but it hasn't happened. When Amina was brutally raped, her family reported it to officials in their town of Larache. Instead of prosecuting the rapist, the court allowed him the option of marrying his victim-- and Amina's family agreed to the proposal.

Sometimes such insanity makes me wonder what kind of monster that dancing upon a throne inside their hearts; those rapists and that society that embrace such a sick culture. Marrying your own rapist? Honor killing? And still blaming woman? What kind of law is that? Islam? Oh, please, I'm so tired of hearing about people using religion to justify the terrible things they do. Cut it off, fraud!

No more words to spill in this writing. This case is another sadness that represents how rot human souls can be.

Dear God, I know most of the people say that suicide is an unforgivable sin. But I know You are the fairest, the Almighty. Please keep her soul safe.

Rest in peace, dear Amina. I hope all prays for you are your last lullaby. Amen.

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If you want to take action to bring justice for rape victims and protections for women and children, sign the petition here.
More News:
Jezebel - Moroccan Women Rally Against Horrible Rape-Marry Law
BBC - Morocco Protest After Raped Amina Filali Kills Herself
Huffingtonpost - Amina Filali, Morocco Rape Victim, Commits Suicide After Forced Marriage To Rapist 

Page 67: Sometimes... * (part 6)

Sometimes,
Revenge is the other name for justice.

Some people must play God on the gray area.
Some wept and mourn.
Some took action in the name of human rights.
While others, can only kept their sympathy and expressed their condolences, somewhere, inside their chest...

***

*Remembering Ruyati. Whatever your reason were, I hope you rest in peace now...