In 2014 there was a great deal of airtime spent talking about the sexual abuse and harassment of women. From radio talkshow host Jian Gomeshi, comedian Bill Cosby, to the dentistry students at Dalhousie; those high profile cases brought the scourge of sexual violence to the fore.
I find both of those particular situations beyond despicable. In each case, priviledged, accomplished, intelligent men found sport and entertainment in dehumanizing women to make them playthings and subjects of submission and violence. There is no excuse for such behaviour but it seems most repugnent when it comes from men who have had every opportunity, who have money, prestige (and yes, I think that dental students have money and prestige or they wouldn’t be there) and knowledge and yet they seem to think that objectifying of women and threatening violence is acceptable. Dalhousie announced today that the students have been suspended. Suspension seems the least the university could do to signal that such attitudes must stop.
Sexual behaviour has been a topic of discussion since before Jesus’ day. The Bible is full of stories of women being used and abused by men. One powerful story from the gospel is when Jesus steps in to interupt the stoning of a woman “caught in adultery”, (there is never mention of the “man caught in adultery”). Jesus seemed ready to wade into the inequality of sexual activity and the oppression of women.
The church does not have a good history when it comes to speaking out against violence against women. We have too often been complicit by hushing up women and making excuses for men’s behaviour. Our culture – in the media, music, popular attitude, televison and movies too often glorifies violence towards women and promotes an attitude of acceptance. This must stop. From every corner of church and society this must stop.
