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RAPE IN PRISON (Thread)
#TakingOffTheMask, by @JustDetentionSA is a documentary everyone should watch: because it's informative, it triggers one's own reflections, it's harsh, but also gentle.
And there are some points that, I think, are worth making:
#TakingOffTheMask, by @JustDetentionSA is a documentary everyone should watch: because it's informative, it triggers one's own reflections, it's harsh, but also gentle.
And there are some points that, I think, are worth making:
Isak is an incredible person who endured horrible violence and has the strength, today, to talk about it and use his experience to inform others, and sensitize the public not only about what prison is like, but how prisoners would like to be treated once they serve their time.
But, much like when we praise #resilience, Isak's strength is commendable, but also frustrating: Isak shouldn't have been put in that situation in the first place.
We must stop praising survival, when it's within our reach as a society to avoid pushing people to the brink of it.
We must stop praising survival, when it's within our reach as a society to avoid pushing people to the brink of it.
Isak deserved a fair trial, w/out waiting for 3 yrs 8 months for it.
If found guilty, Isak deserved a chance at rehabilitation, "correction". Because he is a splendid soul, and went into therapy (which in many countries is simply not an option) and healed his wounds, but..
If found guilty, Isak deserved a chance at rehabilitation, "correction". Because he is a splendid soul, and went into therapy (which in many countries is simply not an option) and healed his wounds, but..
The majority of former detainees leave prison with no skills, tons of #stigma and a history of violence. Where do you think that leads?
Surprisingly, not to a success story. More often than not, it leads back to prison, in an endless cycle of violence.
Surprisingly, not to a success story. More often than not, it leads back to prison, in an endless cycle of violence.
When you say "I'd rather have him raped than have him rape my daughter" well, structural #violence implies a cycle: who endures it is + likely to perpetrate it.
Now, do you prefer a correctional facility to support ppl to heal their trauma, or to spit them out angry & frustrated?
Now, do you prefer a correctional facility to support ppl to heal their trauma, or to spit them out angry & frustrated?
The system must look at correctional facilities & those who work in the system holistically: EVERYONE needs to be taken care of - prisoners, staff, health professionals, religious support providers.
Trauma is trauma, and being subject to it every day makes your skin grow thicker
Trauma is trauma, and being subject to it every day makes your skin grow thicker
And the risk of your skin growing thicker is that you #normalize other people's deeper trauma.
I almost lost my job once for screaming at a priest, who was telling prisoners who were victims of rape to pray and endure what they had to. I was young and it made my blood boil.
I almost lost my job once for screaming at a priest, who was telling prisoners who were victims of rape to pray and endure what they had to. I was young and it made my blood boil.
This person should have NEVER been a priest. But he said something that made me think.
He said "I do this every day, every year, I need to protect myself".
And it struck me that he, not being a hero, was doing what he could to do his job and keep his sanity.
He said "I do this every day, every year, I need to protect myself".
And it struck me that he, not being a hero, was doing what he could to do his job and keep his sanity.
I am not condoning his actions, AT ALL.
But for the past decade I've asked myself every time I walked into a prison how the people working in it would behave differently if they had access to counseling, if the facility was less grim for them and the inmates, if...
But for the past decade I've asked myself every time I walked into a prison how the people working in it would behave differently if they had access to counseling, if the facility was less grim for them and the inmates, if...
Growing a thicker skin is necessary, esp. if you work in development. But it cannot erase #empathy.
And empathy doesn't mean the outpouring of money, big words or unnecessary hugs: empathy means listening, making space for silence, asking for permission before touching a person.
And empathy doesn't mean the outpouring of money, big words or unnecessary hugs: empathy means listening, making space for silence, asking for permission before touching a person.
