‘Rape’ should be called ‘rape’

Staff Reporter :

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Sunday said they would prefer to say ‘rape’ instead of other words.

In protest of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali’s request to the media to use other words instead of the word ‘rape’ the NGO’s expressed such reactions.

On Saturday the DMP commissioner urged the media to refrain from using the word ‘rape’ in their reports, suggesting alternatives like ‘violence against women’ or ‘repression of women’.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the DMP commissioner’s statement regarding the use of the word “rape” should be withdrawn.

“The law enforcement agency, which has the greatest responsibility to ensure women’s rights and prevent violations against them, has a senior official requesting the media not to use the term ‘rape.’

This is shocking,” said Iftekharuzzaman during a human chain event titled “Stop Violence Against Women and Children, Now!” organised by TIB this morning in front of the National Parliament building on Manik Mia Avenue.

Besides, in a joint press briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity this afternoon, officials of Save the Children, Plan International Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain O Salish Kendra and Breaking the Silence said ‘rape’ should be called ‘rape’.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, “Yesterday, it was said it is better not to say rape because the word is unpleasant, but the act itself is unpleasant.

We were very surprised to hear this. ‘Repression of women’, ‘oppression’, or ‘assault’ – no matter what you say, sexual violence and collective oppression do not reflect on these words.

“Shunning the word ‘rape’, the issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment get diluted. We cannot accept this [DMP commissioner’s request], we do not want the word to be excluded.”

Abdulla Al Mamun, director of Child Protection and Child Rights Governance at Save the Children International, said, “Violence against women is a big umbrella term and rape is one of the most heinous crimes. If all crimes are generalised, the implementation of the law will not be proper.

“Rape and violence against women are interrelated. Rape should be called rape.”