Moroccan society unmoved by the plight of rape victims
2008-02-08
Rape victims in Morocco continue to face blame and rejection for their misfortune. Experts say Moroccan culture, not Islam, is at the source of this double standard.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat -- 08/02/08
 [Sarah Touahri] Fearing rejection and accusations from Moroccan society, most women who are raped never tell anyone what happened to them. |
Rape remains a taboo subject within Moroccan society, despite increased media coverage in recent years. Instead of receiving moral support and encouragement from their families, rape victims are often rejected. Parents see the rape of a daughter as a dishonour which must be concealed at all costs.
Samira tells the story of her aunt Malika, who disappeared five years ago when she was just 16. Malika, raped by a stranger in the countryside near Khénifra, could not tell what had happened because she was afraid of her parents’ angry reaction. She was right to fear the response of her nearest and dearest. When her mother learned about the rape several weeks after it occurred, she beat Malika severely and threw her out of the house.
"Five years on, we're looking for her. My grandmother regrets what she did. But I think it's too late. What's become of my aunt? That's the question tormenting the whole family. We can't be at peace."
Malika's case is not unique. Many rape victims like Malika suffer in silence and cannot share their unhappiness because they know perfectly well the fate that Moroccan society has in store for them.
Hind was 18 when her best friend's father drugged and abused her. In her distraught state, she was unable to decide what to do. She preferred to keep quiet and not say a word to anyone. Now 36, she has been unable to find a husband. Each time she confesses her guilty secret to a fiancé, she never sees him again.
"Whenever someone asked for my hand in marriage, I couldn't hide the dreadful truth," she says, "because virginity is very important for Moroccan men." She continues, "None of the six people who asked for my hand understood. One of them even beat me," she exclaims with tears in her eyes. Her family still does not understand why men leave her after they have been engaged for a few weeks. After years of suffering, Hind has finally decided to consult a psychologist so that she can live her life without nightmares. She no longer dreams of setting up a home and living happily like any "normal" woman.
The exact number of women who have been raped in Morocco is unknown, for the simple reason that few of them tell anyone about their ordeal. "Counselling centres are there," says Amale Safi from the Women and Development association, "But those who dare to talk find it very difficult in front of social workers."
To help women who have been the victims of rape, more and more women's associations in Morocco are offering support, particularly legal and psychological services. Insaf director Nabila Tbeur explains that while her institution primarily assists unmarried mothers, rape victims also seek its assistance. "We point them in the direction of the counselling centre, which has been set up under the judicial code," she says.
However, Safi points out that when a woman dares to accuse a man of rape, judges and police officers regard the allegation with scepticism. "Moroccan society holds the woman who has been raped largely, if not completely, responsible for what has happened to her," she says.
 [Sarah Touarhi] "I felt as if I was the guilty one," said one rape victim. "I had to take back my accusation so that I wouldn't endure any more hurtful comments or questions." |
Safi speaks from first-hand experience. When she went to the local police station to report her own attack, officers asked her numerous, sometimes "provocative" questions. "I felt as if I was the guilty one. They wanted to be absolutely sure that I was telling the truth, but my state, both physically and psychologically, was an obvious sign. I needed support, and I was faced with a wall of ice," she remembers bitterly with a lump in her throat. Her life has never returned to what it was. The man who raped her was sentenced to a five-year prison sentence.
The Moroccan penal code defines rape as being "the act by which a man has sexual relations with a woman against her wishes". The crime is punishable by a custodial sentence of 5 to 10 years. If it is committed to a minor under 15, the sentence is imprisonment for 10 to 20 years. If the guilty party is a family member, guardian or servant of the woman who is raped or if they are a state official or religious leader, the offence is considered aggravated, and imprisonment is extended from 10 to 20 years in the first case and 20 to 30 in the second.
According to a number of women who have been raped, however, the problem does not reside with the law but rather with attitudes which must change.
Sociologist Jamil Gougani says that Moroccans, like all Arabs, still have an old-fashioned idea of women and sexuality, despite the way society has modernised in the Kingdom. "It's a question of education and culture. Certainly the difference in the levels of education between girls and boys is less obvious, but it still exists. Women are synonymous with honour which must be preserved. Women who have been raped come under attack because it's seen as dishonour for the family," he says.
In Islam, rape is severely condemned. A woman who has been raped is wholly considered to be a victim, while the rapist risks being stoned to death because the offence involves fornication and violence towards others.
"The victim is exempt from any punishment, and this is the unanimous view of Islamic legal experts, whether the rape was inflicted by force or backed by verbal threats," says Islamic studies teacher Ahmed Jouhari.
Islam honours women and accords them all their rights, Joahari adds. "It is the weight of culture, not religion," he says, which allows society to scorn victims of rape.
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champion Posted 2008-02-08
What exactly is the difference between Islam and culture? The “good” Muslims are raping women every day and saying that it is their fault for not having worn a veil and thus inviting the rape. There is no justice for women in Morocco because ignorant and chauvinistic men are exercising a dictatorship.
moha Posted 2008-02-08
our moroccan men are very scared of getting aids wich can change your whole life to misery since there is no cure for this desease . women are victims of rape by poverity ,illitteracy and saoudis .big cities like casa,rabat,meknes and others are just too dirty .a death penalty must be issued against any one try to abuse or rape any woman in our country by justice.islam can punish women? but muslims have no right to do so.why they can not punish the people who put the whole nation in to misery and unemployment and make the whole country looks like a big prison with no walls,they speak on islam ,like they know god than others.why islam can not punish sheaa and sunis for being against each other.emazighen do not punish women so take your laws to midle east.
Anonymous Posted 2008-02-10
I say succinctly that the topic is general, it is the same in all Arab countries not just in Morocco and if you make a research about the topic you will find out strange things in other Arab countries and high techniques in the problem of raping. Its dimensions cannot be grasped by the developed human mind and logic which grasps the dimensions of problems.
مسلم Posted 2008-02-10
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent. We thank the author of the article for bringing up this topic. But I think that there’s some degree of subjective view. The author tackled the phenomenon from one side only, namely the psychological repercussions on the victims. It would have been better to focus on the most important aspect: the religious perspective. The author did indeed point to it but only in a way that supports her opinion. The following question then becomes inevitable: who is responsible for such crimes? I think I am one to blame for such responsibility. Parents who allow their own daughters the liberty to enter this wild jungle without supervision. They consent to their daughters’ lifestyle in the world of temptation without religious and moral guidance. When disaster hits, the victimized girl is the first to be accused. The second party responsible is society as a whole. Where are we from the protection of honor, enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong. People are more interested in invading the privacy of others instead of protecting it. The third responsible party is the victims themselves: Why have we thrown away the veil, a religious obligation, and I stress the word obligation. What happened to moral and public decency and the fear of God. Finally, I would like to say that the doors of repentance are open and the most important thing in all the above is the satisfaction of God. All the victims should turn the incident into a podium to call for the cause of God after all God Almighty says "And it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.” Peace on those who follow the guidance, God bless you.
renard Posted 2008-02-10
I express my great respect to the author of the topic Sarah Touahri. I wished she would a make a call with her honourable pen to execute anyone who dares violate honours and stand by these victims and assist them with all available means to overcome the crisis.
elhachemi alger Posted 2008-02-12
For Sarah Touarhi’s case and for those of other girls who have been afflicted by the same phenomenon at hand, in Islam God watches over us and the Prophet PBH has shown us the right path to Paradise. But, what blocks us from this path is the Devil and his charge over our sins. Sarah’s family should have educated her beforehand, kept control over her and kept track of her environment, making sure it was not rotten or vulgar. The State is absent in this area because European tourism increases the number of crimes. If not for this, Sarah’s future would not be destroyed. But have heart: God will forgive you if this was forced upon you. My advice to those who play the role of a “father” and not of a “dad”: these words are different in the sense that a “father” is the 'aba' and “dad” is something we Muslims do not have. God gave you a daughter and the Prophet PBH said those who educate one or three girls will be given into paradise because their know-how and their competence help these girls to develop and mould themselves such that tomorrow they may be married and have children which will be the fruits that God has hidden for you, not only to live with, but also so your daughters can transmit their education to them.
بوشتة المعزي Posted 2008-02-13
Yes the topic raised about raping is an important topic. But the describing approach isn't enough. Because this topic requires suggesting solutions. Moreover, objectivity requires considering raping in its general meaning, whether perpetuated by men or women. Our society needs a thought that equals between genders. Those raped, whether by a woman or a man, are also punished by society. Firstly, we should be tolerant, secondly we should support the control of mingling between genders; modern woman should overcome the traditional idea about herself and about man, forget the idea of attractive body, look at sex in us as a nature and not as the devil. Here I’m not making theories; I am just opening the door for a deep debate.
وسيلة بروقي Posted 2008-02-15
We can feel the rigidity of criteria in the sexual field, when it comes to the feeling of honour which Bordeau considers the basis of every individual's personal morals (). Therefore, we find that the hymen in parental ethics, is concrete evidence of the family's honour. That is why the father, brother and even relative, is obliged to take revenge for the honour of the family, and this is usually carried out by killing the girl. Moreover, the man who doesn’t follow this trend, loses his social status () and is described in street language as ‘unmanly’. We feel from this tradition is ‘considered an affront to the sacred ‘untouchable’, that the reality of the sexual act is that woman is the victim, whereas the male is making a sacrifice. Henceforth, the hymen is related in popular memory with the blood of breaking and the right of ownership. It also brings disgrace and the suffering of death for the girl, who wasn’t able to show proof of her virginity and purity on the day of her wedding. That is why we find in rituals ‘total fusion of the individual within and for the social’ (); because the individual, as Durkheim says, needs to belong to the group since being accepted by it is one of the main sources of satisfaction for him () therefore we find that the individual must satisfy his social environment so that he isn't marginalized. As Ralph Lington says 'we have to play our role vis-à-vis others, even if there is no public" (). « We’re subject to the authority of sacred rituals as described by Vier (), which are deeply-rooted in the depths of the human beings. This respect is imposed even if it isn't objective or reasonable. Perhaps this is what Bordeau meant when he talked about common feeling in the tribal society, he wrote "the unison of the group isn’t based on an objective and reasonable organization – as is the case in our society – it rather relies on the common feeling which makes of pure political institutes an insignificant accessory” (). Therefore, we find that anyone who doesn’t respect the track outlined by the spirit of the group on traditional societies severely reject and gets out of pattern of exchange; meaning that he can in no way participate in group activity, violating the customary system fir example, makes the individual prone to privation, as he is banned from many aspects of the social life and we often see that even the family or children of the offender
H.Dermish Posted 2008-02-16
To مسلم and elhachemi alger, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Saidani M. Posted 2008-02-17
This topic I suggest should be taught at schools fo sensibilisation.I don't think there is a clear veridict to sunction such a crime in Moroccan law.
سالم Posted 2008-02-19
In the name of God. Society should assume its full responsibility towards its members; therefore, I don’t have any objection to marrying a girl who was victim of such violence.
amal moountacer Posted 2008-02-23
Thank you so much for having emphasised the importance of this theme, which is unfortunately still taboo in Moroccan society.
زهرة Posted 2008-02-24
Salam alaikoum. Woman has become in our time a cheap commodity, sold and bought according to will. Woman has no longer her status because every victim of rape is considered a criminal by society and not the one responsible for committing this horrific crime which is not accepted by God. But my question is, why do authorities and security services confer justice on the woman victim of rape, even if she is innocent? They just try to charge the crime on the victim. Honour is a considerable matter; it is one of the characteristics on which nations are measured. So let’s give raped women the right to live with dignity, honour and pride and sentence to death those with stoned hearts who venerate their lusts and satisfy them with illegal means not accepted by God Almighty.
walid Posted 2008-02-25
May God guide everyone and forgive those who were wrong. To God we shall return.
moroccanstar Posted 2008-03-02
A very sad situation on so many levels. I see culture replacing islamic teachings in many cases, and this is a prime example. Not every girl that has been raped has invited it, girls that wear a veil get raped too! girls working for families in the home get raped by the father of the family or sons. I'ts about time there was some sort of support network these women could go to that work alongside the police.
fayçal74 Posted 2008-03-14
Hi, First off, in view of certain comments, it seems to me that it is necessary to reaffirm that nothing can excuse a rape, no matter the conditions. This is my opinion and it is based on good will and the Muslim religion. If I am mistaken, then someone give me some proof. Yet, it is still true that we can observe an increase in these crimes in certain countries (including Egypt or Morocco). Incitement to rape can be explained by anything, that is why trying to prevent it is so difficult. All the more so, given it could be said that “it seems” cultural. So, would repression, condemnation and massive denunciation change things? Yes, it would prove to our coreligionists, our women, our mothers, our sisters, our cousins that we demand that they be respected and treated with all the consideration they deserve. Muslims must provide the example.
sonia Posted 2008-06-20
Hello, The Moroccans’ mentality is still the same and it will not change. Before God, we are all equal. If some men have the right to do what they want, then I, a woman, have rights as well and they must be respected. Be more humane! Rape spells disaster— both physical and psychological— for a woman. This is a crime that must be judged in all severity. Do not punish the woman who has suffered the hellish violence of a man. Both women and institutions need to take action against these crimes because they will never stop happening if they to not react quickly. I cannot bear seeing women who have been raped being rejected by their family and Moroccan society. I wish that Morocco would get a move on and wake up, because rape can happen to anybody— your sister, your mother, your grandmother, a friend. The fault should be placed on the impure, unbelieving men, because that is indeed the type of men they are: they are against our pure religion. Islam is pure, true and compassionate, it is our protector and it is the symbol all Muslims use to orient themselves. It is up to us to protect it from all the sinners—that is: the men who rape girls for their own sexual pleasure. These men are stupid; they are devils who break women’s lives, break families and, in fact, break the heart of the nation. And you, you who have been witnessed by God, you will be judged and punished with the most hellish of comeuppance. You know that life on this earth is quick: it is just a passage. As for you, the women who have been raped, I hope that you heart may live in peace. You must not forget one thing: even if your aggressor still runs free, God alone will give him the most terrible punishment.
هادي عمر Posted 2008-06-28
I support the professor Ahmed Al Jawhari when he said that the attacked victim is innocent and that it is not fair that it faces any punishment. The person who should be punished is the attacker. Thank you.
Sara Posted 2008-07-02
I cannot believe that there are still human beings who believe that women could be guilty for being raped. Women should be respected and treated equally and therefore they can go where they want to without being afraid of men. I don't understand the men who are looking for the guilty of the rape in the women's family or father. Women are free to do want they want and where they want to and no men in the world hase the right to prohibit it. It sounds like women are little babys who need the help of there father and after of their husband. Ridiculous! In this global world we should talk about human rights and not about religion! NO ONE HASE THE RIGHT TO RAPE WOMEN!!! That is the fact and there is no other discussion! I feel sorry for raped women who don't get any support of their family. It's a shame. I'm proud of you that you have written this article and you should continue to talk about this topic in the moroccan publicity. That will encourage other women!!!
yara Posted 2009-01-10
I agree with those who say that respect is essential.
miryam Posted 2009-03-17
I too am a victim of an attempted rape. This is the pure (and horrible) truth. I have to do a presentation on rights and lives of raped women. Can you please help me because I have to do this on Thursday? Please.
سارة Posted 2009-04-18
I am so sorry.
rafika Posted 2009-05-26
I pay tribute to all the Algerian women who have been raped, especially those who were raped through an el moutaa marriage to which they did not consent. They advocate Islam, but then do not respect its laws. May God punish these bad seeds, these rapists and, more especially, Bouteflika, who is pushing us further and further down.
khadija Posted 2009-06-11
I need someone to help me.
un homme choqué Posted 18 days ago
Maybe women fear retaliation, but it is clear that perpetrators of gang rapes are murderers. Why is there no desire to support these women children? Society only supports these rapist children because they are men. Sorry, but religion, culture and tradition do not permit us to consider this anything but a forced rape, especially when it is a gang rape and especially when the victim comes from a modest family. I do now know how the law should punish or judge those who close their eyes, but the judge has the choice. I hope that the courts do not do this out of greed. -Thanks be to God
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