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I just watched the '60 minutes' episode about the raping of the women in Congo. I was so disturbed by the stories and video, I had to leave the room to gather control of my emotions.
90% of the women have been raped? Some as young as 3?!!! And some are left so horribly mutilated they have no control over bodily functions- and need colostomy bags and numerous surgeries.
Raped by soldiers, who use the rape as a means to show their complete power and domination over the area and its inhabitants. There are apparently no repercussions to the violators, and it happens every day, many times, to many women.
I guess I knew there are things that happen in other countries that I'd rather not think about... mostly cos my first instinct is to hop a plane and go kick some ass! Which logically I know would be suicide, but I hate to feel so helpless, to help them.
So what astonished me in a gratifying way at the end of the program, was the focus on the incredible inner strength of these women. Their faith is strong, their belief in God and the heaven that awaits them, regardless of the hell here on earth they have suffered.
I don't really have a question to pose to you, but encourage your thoughts about the issue. I just needed to vent, get it out in text, part of understanding it, I guess.
I did wonder at one point, since it wasn't mentioned- if men are also raped there? They did say the village men are unarmed and can do nothing to help, and many abandon their wives after the rape has occurred. But I'm thinking, if its about power and domination, surely the soldiers would humiliate the men in some way as well?
Its just so enraging that it occurs.
90% of the women have been raped? Some as young as 3?!!! And some are left so horribly mutilated they have no control over bodily functions- and need colostomy bags and numerous surgeries.
Raped by soldiers, who use the rape as a means to show their complete power and domination over the area and its inhabitants. There are apparently no repercussions to the violators, and it happens every day, many times, to many women.
I guess I knew there are things that happen in other countries that I'd rather not think about... mostly cos my first instinct is to hop a plane and go kick some ass! Which logically I know would be suicide, but I hate to feel so helpless, to help them.
So what astonished me in a gratifying way at the end of the program, was the focus on the incredible inner strength of these women. Their faith is strong, their belief in God and the heaven that awaits them, regardless of the hell here on earth they have suffered.
I don't really have a question to pose to you, but encourage your thoughts about the issue. I just needed to vent, get it out in text, part of understanding it, I guess.
I did wonder at one point, since it wasn't mentioned- if men are also raped there? They did say the village men are unarmed and can do nothing to help, and many abandon their wives after the rape has occurred. But I'm thinking, if its about power and domination, surely the soldiers would humiliate the men in some way as well?
Its just so enraging that it occurs.