UN Human Rights Counsel on Rape Culture and Legislation
Rape Culture and Legislation
Markus Sherman
UN Human Rights Counsel opened committee with a vote to pass the topic of rape culture and legislation to help stop the occurrence of rape throughout the world. One of the main concerns of the committee was simply how to define the term rape. Delegates from Argentina, Luxembourg, Peru, and other countries were in favor of including sexual assault in to the definition of rape. Lichtenstein, India, Portugal, and others were in favor of separating rape, domestic violence, and sexual assault into three separate categories with different punishments.
This morning Resolution paper 1.1 was presented by delegates from Argentina, Luxembourg, and Peru. In the Resolution 1.1 there is a call for a UN designed protocol following rape including post exposure prophylaxis, a rape kit upon request, emotional counseling, immediate STI testing, and emergency contraceptives. One of the main points of this Resolution was creating a center to be run by NGO’s that would provide a safe haven for victims in every country. During the question and answer period the concern that arose was whether or not men were included in any of the plans set by Resolution 1.1. Statistics show that in the US alone 65% of women have faced verbal or physical sexual harassment, 50% of whom experienced those offenses before the age of 18. It is reported that 25% of men in the US experience similar harassment. Global statistics also show that in marriages, 40% of all domestic violence is committed by women. With these statistics presented, the sponsors of Resolution 1.1 changed their clause to establish a place where victims can seek temporary shelter.
Resolution 1.2 had many of the same clauses as Resolution 1.1, but they separated sexual assault and rape. The Resolution also included a penal code that Resolution 1.1 did not include. The sponsors of Resolution 1.1 said that if they included a penal clause, it would infringe on national sovereignty. They believed that letting the state decide on how to punish criminals who have committed rape would be a more effective solution to deal with rape globally.
The committee had not yet voted before the break, but the delegates were split almost evenly between the two resolutions. In the end Resolution 1.2 will probably be voted for. It makes a stronger effort to include men, underprivileged, and even wealthy people when making plans for centers, temporary shelters, and counseling.
Although there were differing views on how to address the global status of sexual violence, there was a general consensus that these crimes affect everyone in every country, and that they need to be dealt with swiftly. Because of this broad spectrum of victims and situations, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There is a need for an individualized approach to helping these rape victims in every environment and culture.
With the help of these Resolutions and a community striving to end rape, scenes like this will not have to occur again and again. However it is a process that will take time, and the global community should be aware that rape culture will not end as quickly as everyone would like.
Markus Sherman
UN Human Rights Counsel opened committee with a vote to pass the topic of rape culture and legislation to help stop the occurrence of rape throughout the world. One of the main concerns of the committee was simply how to define the term rape. Delegates from Argentina, Luxembourg, Peru, and other countries were in favor of including sexual assault in to the definition of rape. Lichtenstein, India, Portugal, and others were in favor of separating rape, domestic violence, and sexual assault into three separate categories with different punishments.
This morning Resolution paper 1.1 was presented by delegates from Argentina, Luxembourg, and Peru. In the Resolution 1.1 there is a call for a UN designed protocol following rape including post exposure prophylaxis, a rape kit upon request, emotional counseling, immediate STI testing, and emergency contraceptives. One of the main points of this Resolution was creating a center to be run by NGO’s that would provide a safe haven for victims in every country. During the question and answer period the concern that arose was whether or not men were included in any of the plans set by Resolution 1.1. Statistics show that in the US alone 65% of women have faced verbal or physical sexual harassment, 50% of whom experienced those offenses before the age of 18. It is reported that 25% of men in the US experience similar harassment. Global statistics also show that in marriages, 40% of all domestic violence is committed by women. With these statistics presented, the sponsors of Resolution 1.1 changed their clause to establish a place where victims can seek temporary shelter.
Resolution 1.2 had many of the same clauses as Resolution 1.1, but they separated sexual assault and rape. The Resolution also included a penal code that Resolution 1.1 did not include. The sponsors of Resolution 1.1 said that if they included a penal clause, it would infringe on national sovereignty. They believed that letting the state decide on how to punish criminals who have committed rape would be a more effective solution to deal with rape globally.
The committee had not yet voted before the break, but the delegates were split almost evenly between the two resolutions. In the end Resolution 1.2 will probably be voted for. It makes a stronger effort to include men, underprivileged, and even wealthy people when making plans for centers, temporary shelters, and counseling.
Although there were differing views on how to address the global status of sexual violence, there was a general consensus that these crimes affect everyone in every country, and that they need to be dealt with swiftly. Because of this broad spectrum of victims and situations, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There is a need for an individualized approach to helping these rape victims in every environment and culture.
With the help of these Resolutions and a community striving to end rape, scenes like this will not have to occur again and again. However it is a process that will take time, and the global community should be aware that rape culture will not end as quickly as everyone would like.