Thursday, July 26, 2018

Lualhati Bautista spins



Dateline: 21 July 2018, Pasay City

The weekend had the police of Angono, Rizal become an overnight SocMed sensation. They promoted online a tip sheet that advises women on how to prevent themselves from getting raped. It was victim-blaming, plain as day. The controversy was covered in a television news program, where I learned that: (1) the list was based on a consultation with members of the community; (2) the news program's vox populi effort showed common folk agreeing to the idea that women bring upon themselves the tragedy of rape; (3) the police concerned will not apologize for this misogynous effort because they allegedly are genuinely concerned; and (4) but because of the negative reactions they have already withdrawn the material.

I have a friend who was quite blunt at his reaction: for zero rape, there should be zero rapists. But award-winning novelist Lualhati Bautista's spin on rape prevention is best.

(Pinoy Ako Blog still has resibo of the Angono Police notorious advisory.)

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