Castration and Rape

I am pleased that Supervisor Pete Schabarum has taken an active interest in rape prevention. I refer to his article (Editorial Pages, April 27, “Is Castration Extreme? Perhaps, But Existing Laws Are Far Too Lenient.”

As a man actively engaged in doing prevention work, it is heartening to see more men become aware of the tremendous magnitude and scope of this destructive and horrible experience.

However, I do have some questions for Schabarum. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors is rightly outraged by the rape of a 10-year-old girl by a man with a mental illness and rape history. But how about the many thousands of women who are raped yearly? The women who are raped not by a mentally disordered sex offender, but by the all-American guy next door, not by a convicted rapist out on parole, but by a “normal” boyfriend (husband) while on a date, not by a man who is sick or psychotic, but by a “regular guy” who is simply playing out the role that society has told him is his. Or is he, perhaps, simply taking charge, reacting to his “animal instincts,” which he has been convinced he can’t control, or is he only doing what movie heroes and other “real” men do? What about these men who rape? Will we be castrating all of them?

Will we work toward changing our criminal justice system so that it is easier (safer) for a woman or man to report, charge and prosecute rape cases? Will we (Pete Schabarum & Co.) begin to break down the sex role stereotype barriers that encourage, aid and abet men who rape? That’s “men who rape,” not “rapists.”

The word “rapist” still conjures up images of the mentally disordered type of man when in reality he is not all that different from the rest of us.

If Schabarum would consult with the Laguna Beach Community Clinic’s Sexual Assault Prevention Program he may get some real information on what is happening out here on the front lines.

Men are raping women. When men like Schabarum start doing (or at least supporting and funding) sexual assault education, prevention and protection programs aimed at young men (and women) before they start committing acts of sexual violence and power, then we will see a decrease in this type of crime.

Unfortunately, there will always be “crazy” people committing crimes of violence against others, but with a great deal of educational effort by many people, the great majority of these crimes, committed by the average man, will stop.

I urge everyone who has an interest in stopping rape and sexual assault to support and fund rape prevention, education and crisis intervention centers.

DAN ANDREWS

Community Educator

Sexual Assault

Prevention Program

Laguna Beach Community Clinic

Laguna Beach