TV segment showing ‘amusing rape’ callous

RAPE IS never fun, neither is it pleasurable. This is in reaction to GMA7’s “Bubble Gang” segment shown last April 1, which depicted rape as a funny and amusing experience.

Rape is an act of violence perpetrated against a powerless victim. It subjects the victim to the whims, caprices and control of the assailant. In a patriarchal society, women are the usual victims of rape and other forms of violence, from sexual, psychological, physical, social and economic. Rape is the exercise of power over the weak, and it dominates, humiliates and punishes its victim.

“Bubble Gang,” in projecting rape as a funny experience, was not only insensitive to and inconsiderate of the feelings and status of the victims of rape, it further promoted violence against women. It trivialized the suffering and pain of rape victims.

Must the producer, director, script writer, and even the actors and actresses, and the whole management of the show be reminded of the  agonies that rape victims go through? Did they even consider the feelings of a health worker gang raped in Mindanao? Of Nicole who was dumped like a pig in a dark corner of a pier with her pants down and referred to by a companion of her rapist as a “bitch? Of Sarah Balabagan who had to defend herself from the sexual advances of her employer? Of the comfort women of World War II? Of the women who were imprisoned and raped during the martial law days? Of the Filipino women raped during the Gulf War in 1991? Of OFW women who are being sexually abused by their masters and treated like slaves?

Broadcast media are a very influential medium, and they can teach their viewers the value of social responsibility. Television programs should promote and develop critical minds instead of a decadent culture.

The violence of rape is no joke.

—NORMA P. DOLLAGA,

Kapatirang Simbahan Para sa Bayan,

Kasimbayan Women’s Collective,

kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph