The Feminist Movement of La Rioja – composed of Kirké: Feminists in Action; Murillo de Río Leza Feminist Association; Horizonte Violeta-Alfaro; Calahorra Feminist Cafe; Luz Ultravioleta Arnedo Feminists from La Rioja – have expressed, in a statement, their repudiation of the sexual assault on a young woman in Valencia, for which three young men from Calahorra and one from Andosilla have been arrested as alleged perpetrators.
Although, from the very beginning, we want to emphasize that «the origin is not relevant, because, despite their differences, one thing that sexual aggressors from any part of the world have in common is that they are men.» Last Sunday, the Valencia Local Police arrested the four young men aged between 18 and 20 years old for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman near the Akuarela Playa nightclub.
Therefore, they have shown «their rejection of the facts, clarify some terms that are being highlighted, and, of course, show our support to the victim, to that young woman who is once again being questioned and re-victimized.» We have read in numerous media outlets how the young men have tried to defend themselves by saying that the «touching» was consensual by the victim.
First of all, we would not be talking about «touching,» since, according to the victim’s account, they had inserted fingers into her genitals, which indicates that we would be dealing with a case of rape. Furthermore, «they insist that it was consensual by the girl, even though she denies it and was in a state of drunkenness that prevented her from reacting.»
«We want to emphasize the perverse concept of consent, as the terms access and consent are conveniently used as a defense mechanism in situations of sexual violence. And the fact that these days they have been used is not a coincidence and is particularly grotesque when the woman was alone with four men and in a state of drunkenness,» they added.
Surely, «for them, to consent is to not oppose any resistance. But how can a woman in those circumstances not consent? It’s called fear and helplessness. And here we reach a key point.» «It is essential to make clear the difference between consent and desire,» they added.
A sexual practice «should be desired, not just consented to, as consent can be given for many reasons (fear, economic need, etc.). And men should start learning this and the fact that it is not normal for them to be aroused in a situation where the woman does not desire, even if she consents.»
When they are so young, «there is no doubt about the enormous influence of pornography, which teaches them from a young age to dehumanize and not consider the desires of women.» On the other hand, the social judgment and exposure that has started for the young woman is another reason why many of us do not report. «Because the stigma to which they subject us, the re-victimization we face, and the lack of legal guarantees create a state of impunity for the aggressors that favors only 7 percent of sexual freedom-related crimes being reported.
In conclusion, «this is another fact that reflects the alarming increase in sexual violence among young people, caused, among other things, by pornography and early access to it, but also by the absence of a real sexual education, with a feminist perspective, that places desire and mutual pleasure at the center of relationships and discards tainted and self-interested terms like ‘consent,’ which are based on the pursuit of unilateral pleasure – that of the man – and always place the woman in a position of subordination where she is not a subject who desires, only an object who consents.»
Therefore, from the Feminist Movement of La Rioja, «we reiterate our repudiation of this sexual assault, demand justice, and send all our love and support to the victim. No assault will go unanswered,» they concluded.
FUENTE
