Rising Rape Cases: Law, Society, and Change Needed
A 60-minute session on what actually has to change, seen through ordinary life rather than headlines: the dinner-table demand to hang them, the police station nobody wants to walk into, the uncle everyone warns the girls about, the chapter the teacher skipped, the film hero who wouldn't take no. Law, policing, courts, upbringing, media and the silence in our own homes. Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
When you hear about yet another rape case in the news, what's your very first gut reaction?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Death Penalty For Rape
Another terrible case is on the news. At dinner, someone says, “Just hang them. That will scare the rest.” Everyone nods. One person stays quiet.
- 2
Going To The Police
Something bad has happened to someone you love. Everyone says, “Go to the police.” Then everyone starts listing reasons not to.
- 3
Keeping Quiet For Family Honour
Something wrong happened inside a family. The elders talk behind closed doors. They decide nobody outside must ever know.
- 4
Asking What She Was Wearing
A case comes on the news. Before anyone talks about the man, someone asks, “Why was she out so late?” Or, “What was she wearing?”
- 5
Believing Someone Who Speaks Up
A woman at work says a senior colleague harassed her. He has always seemed nice to you. By lunchtime, people are taking sides.
- 6
Sex Education In Schools
Your biology teacher reached the chapter on how bodies change. She said, “Read it at home,” and moved on. The whole class giggled.
- 7
Making Children Hug Relatives
An uncle visits. Your parents say, “Go, give him a hug.” The child hides behind the sofa. Everyone laughs and pushes her forward.
- 8
The Relative Everyone Warns About
Many families have one. The uncle the girls are told never to sit next to. Everyone knows. Nobody ever says anything to him.
- 9
Stalking Heroes In Films
In the film, the girl says no. The hero follows her home, sings outside her window, won't give up. In the end she falls for him. The audience claps.
- 10
Outrage After Every Case
A terrible case hits the news. Everyone posts about it, changes their profile picture, joins a candle march. Two weeks later, nobody mentions it.
- 11
Consent Inside Marriage
A couple has been married for ten years. One night she says no. He says, “But you're my wife.”
- 12
More Cases Or More Reporting
Every day the news seems to bring another case. Your grandmother says this never used to happen in her day.
The line to leave with
Of all the things that would have to change, which one runs straight through your own house?
More boards,more ways in.
Every discussion we have run has a board behind it. Browse them by topic.