The Rape Epidemic in Malaysia

Introduction

Sexual crimes, especially rape, are on the rise these days. So much so that on some days, this heinous offence is all you read about on the newspaper. Few weeks ago, an incident whereby a ten-year-old school girl was being forced upon by her van driver, in front of her friends and schoolmates no less, came into light much to the public’s horror. Unfortunately, it is not the first nor will it be the last case that we will hear of and this proved to be true when two men were arrested a fortnight ago for stalking and raping more than five teenage girls living in their neighbourhood (Azizan 2010).

According to the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, the number of rape cases reported nationwide increased from 1217 cases in 2001 to 3626 cases in 2009.

That means that in less than a decade, the number of rape cases in Malaysia had almost tripled itself. This goes to show just how much this issue requires an immediate action to prevent it from escalating even further.

Causes of Rape

One of the reasons rape occurs is due to the presence of inequality between genders. All the years of men being treated as the dominant gender have led to the belief that they are more powerful than women. This is why, when there are changes to women’s status in society as men’s equals, there is a power struggle in reasserting the prevailing sex.

The flawed justice system is another contributing factor to the occurrence of rape. The ease of which rapists get off the hook with such low level punishments imposed on them contributes to rapists believing that they are untouchable. It is also hard to prove rape in court even with the presence of modern technology (Nazlina Abd. Ghani).

Besides that, rape...

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...tely is how most folks are currently living: in constant fear. And unless this social ill can be solved, this will be how your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren will be living. Don’t subject your loved ones to this kind of fate, resolve this issue before it becomes too late.

Works Cited

Abd. Ghani, N. 2014. The Perception of Women as Second Class Citizens (Sexism, Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse). Interviewed by Hannah Joyce Jonas [in person] 15, Jalan 14/28, Seksyen 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, 28/2/2014.

Azizan, H 2010, ‘Rape, a growing statistic’, Star, 1 August, viewed 24 February 2014, < http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?file=%2f2010%2f8%2f1%2fnation%2f6775682&sec=nation>.

Fisher, E 2013, Living Life By A Rape Schedule, Feminspire, viewed 24 February 2014, < http://feminspire.com/living-life-by-a-rape-schedule/>.