Quote:
Originally Posted by Good_ol_JR
^ Actually rape statistics show that rape is least common in Muslim countries relative to the rest of the world. Not that it doesn't happen though, because some people come from cultural families where they really don't care what a guy does
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large part of it has to do with reporting rape. (I'm not arguing there is less or more rape there, because we don't know)
a raped woman in a Muslim country is likely to be stigmatized (like her counterpart in the West), at times killed by relatives, there is lack of counseling, woman is more likely to get blamed for inviting rape or putting herself in that position, "she asked for it", etc.
a raped woman in a family = a black eye... so it's safe to assume that often, it won't be reported because it would bring scorn from outsiders and possible cutoffs & alienation. The allegations are also held back because of the fear that offender may further damage her reputation. A reported rape can also incite violence and killings within the families - a girl may stay quiet for that reason as well because she doesn't want anyone else to suffer.
you also have to take the judicial system into account. a rich boy raping a poor girl, there's not much use in reporting than to invite more suffering.
whether her family sympathizes with her is a different matter but the culture is less likely to do the same. on the surface, the community may forgive, but people have their own personal opinions, rumors, and doubts. in poor communities and those who can't relocate, who is going to marry a raped girl?
how is it different from the west?
even though 'blaming the victim' and stigmatization are also experienced by western women, but there is more education in the west on this matter; we also have counseling available. back in the East, many communities are close-knitted and have extended families - unfortunately, this doesn't favor the victim as the news is likely to spread & everyone will have their personal opinion on the matter (mostly based on lack of education & ignorance).
so, it's better to keep quiet --at least that's how the victim and the family would feel in the East.
In the west, our lifestyle and residential settings allow us to reach out with confidentiality & the backlash isn't as severe..
edit: sorry, didn't read nooni's post before...so this is pretty much elaboration on what she said