Why Cullen’s use of ‘rape’ term is helpful

I LISTENED with interest as Martin Cullen likened his treatment by the media to “waking up every morning and being raped”.

I knew there would be trouble. However, as the furore raged around this man daring to use the word “rape” to describe his experiences, I found myself welcoming it.

I have worked with rape and sexual abuse victims for 16 years and for all our progress in this country, we are still woefully ignorant about the horrific effects of this crime on any victim.

Fifty men lined up and supported a sex attacker in Listowel in front of the victim and saw nothing wrong with it a few weeks ago.

How can that be? Perhaps it is because when people think of rape, they only think of the sexual act of rape. They have no idea what rape does to the person, their family and friends, and the implications for that victim in their local community and beyond, especially where a case is taken. I feel this is where Martin Cullen is useful.

Whatever one thinks of him as a politician, one cannot but be shocked and moved at his personal account of suffering at the hands of the media.

As the definition of rape goes, he has the right to say he felt he was “plundered” and “abused in an extreme manner”. He has the right to say he felt there were attempts to “seize by force wrongfully” from him.

Many of my clients would definitely concur that their recovery process was one of reclaiming what was taken from them.

They would also concur that the horrendous powerlessness they felt in the rape continued for years afterwards, as they were at the mercy of what others believed about them and said about them.

They were often ridiculed, lied about and scorned for having spoken up. And they were at the mercy of a legal system that is antiquated and incapable of giving them the full justice they deserve. If Martin Cullen’s use of the word “rape” can bring home to this country the other aspects of rape, then it is sadly very much needed.

Anna Dowling

Charlemont Road

Clontarf

Dublin 3