Click here to read this article
The important role of the internet in this case intrigues me. The fact that such a public avenue made possible the delivery of justice (on such a personal issue) gives me hope that other such cases can be aired, drawing attention to similar situations.
However, the teacher (whose name is never given) should not have needed to pursue such action. She went to the people you’re told to in such cases but was pushed aside, no one was going to prosecute a government official for rape so why bother ruffling hairs by helping her? But once she spoke out and her story, originally dispersed online, was printed in a paper then action was taken and the official who attacked her was arrested. Justice was served.
However, the point is that no one was willing to help is disturbing and that many women do not come forward at all with such cases. There is mention that one man raped a hundred women and not one of them came forward. First of all, if none of them came forward, how do we know it happened? Were there witnesses that did nothing? How could someone be aware of the violation of another human being and do nothing? Maybe I’m just a little worried about what this says about society and our interactions with each other.
The fact that this case is a published story in the New York Times indicates the significance of the outcome and the case. It is “A Rarity in Chinese Justice System”. In other words, “that’s not how we do it in America so it’s double-plus good that China has dealt with the situation and we hope that it will provide precedent for other cases.” There is a cultural commentary as well as a moral one.
-Rosie Limburg
This article brings to light a truly frightening "axiom of the Chinese justice system: [that] Rape victims face extremely long odds if they accuse officials or others of special social status."
ReplyDeleteHowever, I wonder how much this story is limited to a country like China. Yes, it might be easier to find support if you are in a country like the United States or Canada, but it would be my guess that if you are accusing some high official you will still have plenty of people trying to persuade you to keep your mouth shut.
It's a sad state of affairs, but as the article points out, the teacher who was raped has stopped talking to the media because she and her family have been threatened by those in power. This is discouraging in trying to get other victims to come forward.
It is my opinion that this is probably a global issue and as long as there are imbalances in power there will be injustices such as this.
- Danielle Foster
All too true. However, what do you mean precisely by "imbalances in power"? Do you mean between the sexes or countries?
ReplyDelete