The politics of disclosing female sexual abuse: a case study of Palestinian society
Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, School of Social Work, Institute of Criminology, Faculty of Law, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
1999
Abstract
Introduction: This paper argues that, by understanding the socio-cultural and political context within which disclosure or non-disclosure of sexual abuse takes place, we are better able to develop an analytical framework that might shape culturally sensitive social policy towards sexual abuse and thereby reduce it.
Method: The data for the study were extracted from records available on 38 cases of sexually abused Palestinian girls, as well as interviews conducted with victims and their parents whenever possible. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 professionals who dealt with these 38 cases.
Findings: Contextual analysis of the data revealed that acknowledgment of sexual abuse took place only in situations where the abuse was extremely traumatic, publically apparent, and the victim absolved of blame. Disclosure resulted in approximately 10% of the cases in the killing of the victim. Responses involving measures such as hymen reconstruction, marriage to the rapist, and abortion were used by family and society to “nullify” sexual abuse. The intricacies bearing on the decision to disclose or not disclose sexual abuse were discussed within a socio-cultural and political frame of reference. A paradigm of analysis is provided to clarify this complex relationship.
and
Commodifying Honor in Female Sexuality: Honor Killings in Palestine, by Suzanne Ruggi, 1998
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17 comments:
If you are so concern with sexual abuse of women why don't you bring up stories and studies from Israel ? Don't Israeli women suffer sexual and other abuse? Is your purpose of this to bring an awareness to the issue? Or is this just to single out and demonize Arabs?
Galia, you keep missing the point. There is a difference between sexual abuse and honor killings. If you cannot comprehend this, or worse, refuse to do so, that's too bad.
In your post you bring up both sexual abuse and honor killing in Palestinian society. There is a difference between these kinds of abuses, definetely, i don't dispute that. So, the whole purpose of your attention on this topic is to investigate this difference? Why don't you compare a sexual abuse to mental or to prostitution in Israel in stead?
Galia, you're "abusing" me.
These two articles, if you looked over the summaries, make these points: (a) there is a lot of abuse; (b) it is part of the culture (if you want to add religion, go ahead); (c) it is mainly condoned by the society and family; d(d) there is a major probelm with lawa enforcement agencies.
Regarding Israel, since I have provdied you with articles on "your" focus of interest, please, you provide me with mine.
Your outline for the article is just an old sad news.
And unfortunately it's not in Palestine only, it's EVERYWHERE in the world that women get sexually, physically, mentally abused by men who are naturally physically stronger. And there are many problems with the ways how it's handled by law enforcement and families. It's more complicated than you think, lots of women (regardless of background) prefer not to disclose they were raped as they feel ashamed. It's not any different in Israel, Russia, US, Venezuela, Nigeria or anywhere else.Millions of women get killed and raped, and Millions of rapists are walking free today.
What is your focus of interest? And how exactly it fits in your overall agenda on this blog?
we're discussing at cross-purposes here.
How?
I have always been curteous and friendly to all the Arab women with whom I worked in the Knesset, even Nidal Rafa, Bishara's aide.
With Arab women with whom I have shared learning experiences through the offices of the American Cultural Center, I have cooperated and carefully listened to their ideas.
I have never beaten or shot any Arab woman.
There is a problem with Islamic religious and cultural frameworks which are bad for women. Pointing that out is my contribution.
Because if that's the way they treat their own women, how do you think they'll treat the "Jewish Zionist enemy"?
See, was that too difficult to disagree and argue without resorting to flame words?
Now, "Single incidents of honor killing don't make all Arabs murderers", is true but there are too many incidents like this, and I did bring many academic papers which stated things worse than I did.
And i am not arguing that it's not a big deal, on the contrary i would support any possible measures to help to fight this and any other abuse of women.
All I am asking you is are you posting on the topic of honor killing because:
a. you are deeply concerned with wellbeing of Palestinian women
b. You simply want to show the rest of the world how evil Arabs are or as you stated it "Because if that's the way they treat their own women, how do you think they'll treat the "Jewish Zionist enemy""
c. other (explain)
yes to all three. ;-O
actions can relate to the individuals involved, to those close to them, to those farther away and those even unrelated. men/women carry a heavy responsibility for society as a whole.
Then why don't you post anything ever about the burdens and abuse of Israeli women? Do you care for them less than you care for Palestinian women?
Indian women
one aspect of child abuse in Israel
global
I know how to google. what i meant is you never post anything on your blog about alarming statistics of increasing number of sexual abuses of women in Israel or any other issues concerning Israel, neither do you comment on that. Dont the Israeli men and their evil deeds deserve condemnation? If you bring up Palestinians, it's only fair to do the same with Israelis, no? Otherwise, your blog is nothing more than islamophobic Zionist propaganda.
I just can't wait to see your blog.
In your opinion, can you be loyal to Israel and your faith and be critical of some of its actions at the same time? Or to take it further shouldn't we be loyal to principles in stead of countries and people?
I have a full time job and family commitments, but maybe one day i will have time for blogging. You are wellcome to critic me then.
"can you be loyal to Israel and your faith and be critical of some of its actions at the same time?"
Most certainly. I do that occasionally here, too.
Hmmm. Do you mind reminding me of these occasions.
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