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As we have
already reported, Rape Crisis recently made the decision
to reject David Bullard’s attempts to whitewash his actions by making a
donation.
Rape Crisis has drawn criticism from many, including Bullard himself, who claim those who are ultimately being harmed by this decision are the rape survivors themselves.
Bullard, in particular, called the move “a big fat middle finger to rape victims” and has since been telling his followers not to donate to Rape Crisis, claiming they “don’t need the money”.
Others have called the move an act of placing too much emphasis on “ideologies”.
What Bullard and Rape Crisis’s critics do not seem to understand, is these “ideologies” are not some petty matter. In fact, they are far more important in the fight against rape than Bullard’s once-off donation of R3000 was ever going to be.
Bullard is not a random benefactor. Over the last few weeks, he has mobilized a public attack on a known rape survivor where he used pretty much every silencing technique in the rape culture handbook against her.
Some have claimed Bullard only targeted Solomon with his accusations of lies because she did not report her attack, but he has also accused Women24 of making up this story. Accusing rape survivors of lying seems to be Bullard’s thing.
It is true that rape is under reported. It is also true that the way Bullard treats rape survivors who dare to speak out is exactly an example of why survivors stay silent. As stated on Rape Crisis’s site,
“These factors are compounded by the stigma associated with rape, and by the fact that many people in our society subscribe to myths and stereotypes about rape.”
Bullard’s attacks on Solomon have clearly promoted these myths and stereotypes.
When Bullard first made his donation, many believed it was a sign of remorse. Bullard then went on to use his donation as a tool to silence those who still criticized him. He also boasted about his donation, trying to paint himself as a person who is helping rape victims.
This was no donation. It came with a cost. For Rape Crisis to accept it, they would have to pay in other ways. One of those ways was to be associated with a loudly outspoken advocate of rape culture, and to make a statement that their complicity with this behaviour can be bought.
Many seem to think they should have meekly accepted his money. That they should have put aside their morals, principles, pride and dignity for a mere R3000. It reeks of an attitude towards rape that is literally ancient.
Rape used to be treated as theft. In Biblical times, a man who raped a woman was expected to pay off her father and marry her. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)
Bullard harasses rape survivors, and in pseudo-compensation he tried to pay off the organization that protects and helps rape survivors and then claim that he is a rape survivor’s benefactor.
I applaud Rape Crisis for taking a stand against Bullard’s rape culture and his promotion of rape myths.
If you believe Rape Crisis’s decision to reject Bullard’s blood money was petty, and if you advocate condemning this organization who do so much more for rape survivors than I’m willing to bet any one of us have ever done because of this decision, it is you who is guilty of caring more for your own petty ideologies than for rape survivors.
Rape Crisis do still need money, of course they do, but they will not make it by selling Bullard their association with him. Help them to benefit rather than be punished for being brave enough to take that stand. Donate to Rape Crisis here.
Follow Laura on Twitter.
Follow Rape Crisis on Twitter and visit their website.
Follow Women24 on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
Rape Crisis has drawn criticism from many, including Bullard himself, who claim those who are ultimately being harmed by this decision are the rape survivors themselves.
Bullard, in particular, called the move “a big fat middle finger to rape victims” and has since been telling his followers not to donate to Rape Crisis, claiming they “don’t need the money”.
Others have called the move an act of placing too much emphasis on “ideologies”.
What Bullard and Rape Crisis’s critics do not seem to understand, is these “ideologies” are not some petty matter. In fact, they are far more important in the fight against rape than Bullard’s once-off donation of R3000 was ever going to be.
Bullard is not a random benefactor. Over the last few weeks, he has mobilized a public attack on a known rape survivor where he used pretty much every silencing technique in the rape culture handbook against her.
Some have claimed Bullard only targeted Solomon with his accusations of lies because she did not report her attack, but he has also accused Women24 of making up this story. Accusing rape survivors of lying seems to be Bullard’s thing.
It is true that rape is under reported. It is also true that the way Bullard treats rape survivors who dare to speak out is exactly an example of why survivors stay silent. As stated on Rape Crisis’s site,
“These factors are compounded by the stigma associated with rape, and by the fact that many people in our society subscribe to myths and stereotypes about rape.”
Bullard’s attacks on Solomon have clearly promoted these myths and stereotypes.
When Bullard first made his donation, many believed it was a sign of remorse. Bullard then went on to use his donation as a tool to silence those who still criticized him. He also boasted about his donation, trying to paint himself as a person who is helping rape victims.
This was no donation. It came with a cost. For Rape Crisis to accept it, they would have to pay in other ways. One of those ways was to be associated with a loudly outspoken advocate of rape culture, and to make a statement that their complicity with this behaviour can be bought.
Many seem to think they should have meekly accepted his money. That they should have put aside their morals, principles, pride and dignity for a mere R3000. It reeks of an attitude towards rape that is literally ancient.
Rape used to be treated as theft. In Biblical times, a man who raped a woman was expected to pay off her father and marry her. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)
Bullard harasses rape survivors, and in pseudo-compensation he tried to pay off the organization that protects and helps rape survivors and then claim that he is a rape survivor’s benefactor.
I applaud Rape Crisis for taking a stand against Bullard’s rape culture and his promotion of rape myths.
If you believe Rape Crisis’s decision to reject Bullard’s blood money was petty, and if you advocate condemning this organization who do so much more for rape survivors than I’m willing to bet any one of us have ever done because of this decision, it is you who is guilty of caring more for your own petty ideologies than for rape survivors.
Rape Crisis do still need money, of course they do, but they will not make it by selling Bullard their association with him. Help them to benefit rather than be punished for being brave enough to take that stand. Donate to Rape Crisis here.
Follow Laura on Twitter.
Follow Rape Crisis on Twitter and visit their website.
Follow Women24 on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
