Integrity Matters
October 19, 2005
Rape, murder rate worst for a lack of
integrity
Question: (E-210)
Dear Jim:
Where do you place rape in your lack-of-integrity ranking?
Response:
Rape is the worst, right next to murder. In a world
too often uncomfortable distinguishing between right
and wrong, despicable actions such as rape and murder
must be condemned and stopped. Very few actions defy
all rules of civilized behavior, but rape is one of them.
Rape - sexual violence against another human - is carried
out by individuals with a personality disorder marked
by antisocial behavior, leaving victims scarred for life.
Rapists crave power, viciously dominating victims to
satisfy their depraved desires. When innocent children
are violated, the awful becomes the unthinkable. When
antisocial and illegal behaviors are ignored or simply
tolerated, even while being superficially condemned by
those in authority, society suffers. The tolerance for
sexual abuse contaminates humanity.
Is a married male who rapes a young female any less
or more criminally liable than a gay who violates a person
of the same sex? Sexual violation of another person is
not a matter of lifestyle preference. It is a legal matter,
raising questions about integrity, morality, respect
and the judicial system that must prosecute it.
Conducting "witch-hunts" may be a convenient
and "politically-correct" response to sexual
abuse; however, "lifestyle" litmus tests will
not take the place of rigorous and uncompromising policing
of sexual violence. Persecuting scapegoats is not delivering
justice.
Can integrity-centered human beings condone the behavior
of those who use their position to sexually violate others?
Modern society protects wetlands from violence. Should
boys and girls, or adults, be provided lesser levels
of care? Animals, trees, oceans, streams, public facilities
and air travel are protected from smoke, fire, alcohol
and the pollution of loud noise and pornography. The
crime of rape must be condemned and eradicated.
Responsible individuals offer integrity-centered answers
to these four questions:
- Who can justify looking the other way when convicted
rapists are not confined and monitored?
- What kinds of leaders tolerate inquisition-like
questioning about lifestyle preference, further clouding
the issue of criminal behavior, while avoiding the
legitimate dialogue about social and interpersonal
integrity?
- How civilized is a society that has, for too long,
challenged rape victims themselves, as perpetrators
of the crime, when they find the courage to confront
rapists?
- When will rape victims be praised for seeking justice
by dragging "closet socio-paths" into court?
Where will you stand when asked to support those who
would end rape, everywhere, forever?
Perhaps rapists should be spotlighted and brought to justice
in ways similar to those being used by media giant, Oprah
Winfrey. Her personal and professional mission is to protect
society from child molesters, legally and permanently.
Learn from her and take action, now. Integrity matters.
