Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 9. May 4 1981

A Result of our Society

A Result of our Society

Rape in today's society is a crime produced by the desire to be part of a group scene, something to do if your bored, depressed or angry. The following two interviews are an example of these attitudes:

James 33: "I think that gang rape happens in people's teens, when it does happen, because at that age its very important to belong to a group; you do anything to stay in with the group. You screw someone because you don't want to lose face.

"The woman and what she wants doesn't come into it. Right from the cradle we're taught that women are inferior and to be used. So many men in prison believe women are just possessions to be taken when and as often as they are needed."

Charlie 26: "I've never been charged with rape. There've been three incidents. Everytime it happened I was depressed, or pissed off or bored.

"One time we were at a bikie party and we - me and three other guys - decided it was time for us to go. The bikies offered us this chick to take with us. On the way home she wouldn't come across so we punched her in the head and screwed her.

"It's wrong to hurt people. It was wrong what I did. But I'll probably do it again if I'm bored or depressed or pissed off and the circumstances arise. Half the time it's the girl messing around. She won't come across so he gets angry and hits her and rapes her."

These two interviews show the attitudes that some men have towards rape today. As long as these attitudes exist the crime of rape will continue.