Reporting police rape - Why bother?
In Otautahi's Catherdral Square today, passersby had the opportunity to experience what it is like reporting police rape.
The response they got from Officer Pervert was similiar to how John Dewar responded to Louise Nicholas's complaint in the early 1990s. He didn't bother investigating the rapes properly, but just screwed up any reports he received and throw them away.
Luckily a group of staunch anti-rape activists (who happened to be in the square handing out info on the John Dewar trial that starts today) were nearby to pick up the screwed up reports, and air the police's dirty washing where everyone could see it. They demanded justice for rape survivors and NO MORE RAPE!
The street theatre went on for an hour, with lots of info handed out and people taking part. Officer Pervert did such a great job covering up for his rapist collegues, he has almost been offered a job at the Rotorua police station. He is just waiting for them to get in touch.
More on John Dewar here:
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/73376/index.php
Photos to come...
Comments
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
dumb article, if you want people to listen why don't you explain in clear English what actually happened?
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
nice work Otautahi wahine! wouldn't it be nice if anti-sexist men started organising anti-rape actions (not that this is a blatant suggestion or anything) Shouldn't it be their responsibility A? Enough navel gazing men! A world without rape starts with you!
Re: Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
I take direct action against rape every day by not raping people. If I ever had the opportunity to prevent a rape or any kind of abuse from taking place I would not hesitate.
I do not appreciate being emotional blackmailed because I have other demands on my time that mean I can't go to a protest or street theatre about every issue I care about.
A male.
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
If you want to be taken seriously then at least write something serious. Why would you trivialise something so serious and hideous? Give the victims the respect they deserve and treat the subject properly, That way we might get some action.
Pics from Otautahi Demo
more pics
One more womyn saying ...
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
Wonderful work. Shame we didn't get a better turnout in Tamaki Makarau.
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
hahah that is fantastic! Good work guys and gals
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
Hi. Wonderful work. You rock.
To a male you say "If I ever had the opportunity to prevent a rape or any kind of abuse from taking place I would not hesitate." You have that opportunity get out there and help rape prevention programs.
You also say that you are being "emotional blackmailed" bullshit. If you couldn't make it to this demo and you DO really care then organize one on your own time. And stop whining.
x m
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
is that "A" short for arsehole? (how else could such shit come out of your mouth?)
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
sorry, that comment was intended for "A male".
link: http:/katipo.net.nz/stanselen
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
sorry, that comment was intended for "A male".
link: http://katipo.net.nz/stanselen
Re: Reporting police rape - Why bother?
Interesting that my comment has prompted verbal abuse, calling me an "arsehole" and dismissing what I have to say as "shit". Seems strange that such abusive comments comes so easily to you if you're so serious about preventing abuse.
"You have that opportunity get out there and help rape prevention programs."
Actually I was quite literally talking about preventing an act of rape, either by physically intervening or perhaps by talking someone out of going off to have sex with a drunk person.
In theory I have the opportunity to help 'prevention programs' for a million terrible things that happen in this world. I do not have enough hours in the day to support all of them effectively so I must decide what use of my time contributes most to making the world a better place.
"If you couldn't make it to this demo and you DO really care then organize one on your own time."
See above. I'm not convinced that attending or organising such demos is the best use of my time. That shouldn't be taken as a criticism of this demo or its organisers, all power to them for taking action that feels empowering to them. I especially like the satirical and theatrical aspects of this action.
"And stop whining."
Isn't this what the cops say to rape victims? Isn't thing what we are supposed to be against?
The comment to which I was responding implied that I should feel responsible in some way for the existence of rape in society, simply because I don't have time to organise or attend anti-rape protests. This is emotional blackmail, a subtle and incredibly destructive form of abuse which ought to be challenged like any other kind.
It's a classic case of attacking your allies out of frustration that you can't clearly identify and target your real opponents. It's poor strategy. It drives wedges between people who could be working together to make the world better. It cripples the social justice movement and weakens people's motivation to work for social change. Worst of all it's just plain hurtful and unnecessary.
The first step towards a world without abuse is to challenge your own behaviour/ words and stop abusing people.
A male.