So 1

Trevor So
059855148
Dr. Markus Bohlmann
ENG106BC
24 November 2014
Research Essay
Every so often, people find it difficult to talk about their problems. They feel that
they must suppress their negative experiences in order to avoid the possibility of public
scrutiny and discrimination, and as a result, suffer in silence. S
Rape cases are not reported as often as they should be. According to Kashmirs
Silent Rape Victims by the Turkish newspaper Anadolu Agency, Although most victims
were raped or molested by civilians, especially work colleagues, around 129 rape cases
were registered against Indian military and police personnel. Human rights
organizations, however, believe this number is only the tip of the iceberg and that
actual numbers are much higher. Why is it believed that the real number of rape cases
is higher? Well the newspaper also states that Many have been subjected to sexual
violence, most of which was never reported due to fears of being ostracized in
Kashmir's conservative society. It is understandable for the women in such a
conservative society to believe that suffering in silence is better than the possibility of
being hated and shamed. They would rather try to continue on with their lives like
nothing happened instead of standing up for their rights regardless of the
consequences. For this reason, the perpetrators might feel empowered and think that
they can continue to commit these heinous crimes since there will be no retribution for
their actions.

Even less reported than rape cases involving female victims are cases in which
males are the victims. In a 2002 journal article called Male Rape-The Silent Victims by
Colin Derek Ellis which focuses on the recovery of male rape victims through
counselling, which states that Men who have been raped may believe that it attacks
the very essence of what it is to be masculine and male. Many may not seek help
unless they perceive a need for immediate attention, such as physical trauma requiring
medical assistance (Ellis 34). The reasons are because when men do seek help they
may be treated poorly. Secondary victimization or sanctuary trauma results when there
is a lack of empathy and understanding of the effect that rape can have on the survivor,
such as rape-trauma syndrome (34), thus silencing male rape victims. The reason that
men feel discouraged to report these acts that happened to them is because of the
deeply ingrained societal notion that men should be strong and be able to fend off their
attacker. While the victims escape the ostracization from others by hiding it, they will
face mental issues from untreated traumatization, even leading up to severe
physiological disorders. The small number of male victims who speak up results in a
limited number of people to research on for better treatment methods so it is important
for a victim to discuss their experience and even more important that there are kind
people willing to help with therapy. Researching the attitudes of the general population
towards male rape could be useful in developing a public education program to raise
awareness, dispel myths, and help survivors and their support networks (39). A good
way to start male victims to come out would be to first change the publics attitude
towards male victims.
On the other hand, there are people who spoke up openly and faced willingly
both the positive and negative consequences. Edward Snowden, for one, revealed to
the whole world that the NSA's domestic surveillance was far more extensive than

anyone had imagined -- and, in a few instances, conducted in defiance of orders

from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Kaplan). The NSA was clearly
breaking many rules regarding the intensity of the surveillance so it should have
easy for any NSA worker to rat them out but they didnt. The public hails him as a
hero for revealing these dark truths. He was brave enough to care about revealing
the truth to the public instead of the fate that would come to him.