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Rape is fault of the rapist, not of women’s clothing — Hontiveros


Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday expressed extreme disappointment with the Angono police’s list of reminders on how to "avoid" rape, saying that it blames the victim.

“While the intention of the information material may be good, it promotes victim-blaming by asking women to conform to a particular way of dressing in order to be respected and avoid being raped,” Hontiveros said in a press statement.

She said that the list lays unwarranted blame on victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence, and also sends the wrong signal that women are raped because of their actions or preferences.

“May I remind our police force that a woman's clothing choice doesn't cause rape. Clothes don't cause rape, rapists do,” the senator said.

Education needed

Hontiveros said instead of "teaching" women how to dress "appropriately," the police force should help in educating the public, especially men, that forcing themselves upon women is unacceptable.

She said she is willing to help the police train their personnel and produce better materials to prevent rape.

“My office is willing to extend any help to the Angono police force in training their personnel, producing gender-sensitive information materials and implementing programs to help educate the public on how to recognize and prevent rape and other forms of sexual violence against women,” she said.

The list, released by the Angono police on Tuesday, consists of 10 reminders that include "Huwag magsuot ng maikling damit" and "Kung makikipagdate, huwag uminom ng alak."

The list sparked outrage online, with netizens calling out the Angono police for telling women what they must do to prevent rape instead of telling men that rape is wrong.

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas urged the Angono police to take down the post.

"This is a classic case of victim-blaming and gross misinformation on rape," Brosas said in a statement.

"This rotten mindset being perpetrated by the state authorities themselves certainly emboldens perpetrators to commit rape and further puts women in a difficult situation. And the President's machismo and misogyny feeds into this rape culture," she added.

Superintendent Ruben Piquero of the Police Community Relations section of Angono Municipal Police Station said they only wanted to contribute for the common good. He added they had done “research on social media, consulted with the community, accounts of victims, and observations.” — BM, GMA News

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