The Negative Effect of Globalization on Rape

by Megan Bayliss | More from this Blogger

19 Oct 2006 04:58 PM

Some years ago, I answered the phone to a hysterical woman with a strong American accent. Between her accent and her tears, I was unable to understand what she was saying apart from "I was raped." A young backpacker, she had taken 12 months off her job as an airline attendant and had bought herself a Round the World ticket. After three months of travel, she had been enjoying a slow week in a South American country. After all the other bus passengers had alighted from their daily tour, the tour guide raped the young woman in the aisle of the bus. Frightened and in shock, the young woman escaped, without her backpack, when the perpetrator stood up and began urinating on her. She made her way to the airport and communicated that she wanted the next plane available to complete the next leg of her trip (Passport, some cash, credit card and Round the World tickets were in the handbag she had grabbed at escape). She ended up in Sydney, Australia within 24 hours. At Sydney airport, she accessed the internet and looked for areas of tropical delight that also had a Rape Crisis Centre and an International airport. Knowing that she was going to be depressed she figured that she would rather be depressed in a hot climate than a cold one. Five hours later, she landed in Cairns, caught a taxi into the city centre and telephoned the Rape Crisis Centre.

There is a 36-hour window of opportunity in which to collect forensic evidence following a rape. From South America to Cairns, in the same clothes, the young woman was well within the time limit and much evidence would have been conserved (sperm, urine, hair, blood, etc). Because the rape had occurred in a country where there are no laws against rape, nothing could be done legally. Distressed by this news, we treated the young woman medically and provided intense therapy. Here lay the second difficulty. The Australian Government covers the cost of sexual assault testing for Australians only. Our service paid for the costs associated with treatment. We prioritized from our slim budget because we believed we had an ethical and moral duty to ensure this young woman's health.

We assisted the young woman to make contact with her family. She was terrified lest they blame her and refuse to help. Third difficulty: her parents had bought a mystery flight and nobody knew where they were. Away for three days, we supported the young woman through her need for family voices and comfort. Once contact was made with her parents, they booked flights to Australia and came to the aid of their daughter. This family was fortunate that they had the funds to do this and the sensibility to understand that rape is never the fault of the victim.

This case example happens frequently through the world and is a product of negative globalization and different laws about sexual assault. It is imperative that travelers stay in contact with family, and vise versa, have contingencies in case something goes wrong and have additional funds to carry them through a crisis.

In Shampoo to Help Remove the Shams and Pooh of Life after an Assault, I advocated donating goods to sexual assault centers. These donations make a difference in the recovery of a rape victim. The victim could be from your town or from another country. It matters not where they are from, what matters most is that it could be your son or daughter in this position. Thousands of miles from home and family, I know that I would want someone to help my child. Globalization is fantastic, just bear in mind the huge mental health and financial cost of when globalization works against us. I welcome the day we have globalization of justice.

Related articles:

Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Recovery From a Rape. YOU Can Immediately Help.

School Project Information on Sexual Assault.

When Bad Things Happen Again and Again.

My FAVORITE child focused blog of the day:

Dear Mom & Dads, Nobody is Perfect by Heather Long.

Learn more about Megan Bayliss

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QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (59956) 20 Oct 2006 06:50 AM

What a sad, sad story! I had not even thought about young people traveling from country to country and laws being so different. I'm glad you were there to help this young woman in her distress and being the victim in this crime (or not crime.....in the country where it occured). Thank you for sharing, Megan!

Kristyn Crow (2546) 20 Oct 2006 08:11 AM

Megan, you are amazing--great blog!!

Megan Bayliss (3586) 20 Oct 2006 08:31 AM

QA & Kristyn, thanks for the comments. I felt angry after I wrote this blog - angry that nowhere is safe. If you're interested in leaving supportive messages to survivors of sexual violence, please consider today's blog, Reclaim the Night: An electronic march for women. I already know that women I work with are planning on clicking in to see what other women around the world have to say.

Tickets (5) 14 Dec 2007 03:05 PM

A round the world ticket is something I'd also love to be able to afford. With all the troubles involved