Tender’s Youth Board member Maya reflects on the role of education in challenging stigma and combating victim-blaming rhetoric.
In light of the harrowing Gisèle Pelicot case – in which Gisèle’s husband not only drugged and raped her but also facilitated her rape, attempted rape and sexual assault by 49 other men – it is more evident than ever that the burden of shame must rest with the perpetrators, not the survivors.
As she waived her right to anonymity, Gisèle confronted the widespread narrative that survivors should be ashamed of, and blamed for, the abuse that they have faced, often whilst the perpetrators evade accountability. By reclaiming her story and refusing to be shamed into obscurity, Gisèle has empowered other survivors to speak out, seek justice and demand a society that no longer stigmatises their experiences.
With one in three women and girls subject to physical or sexual violence and less than 40 percent seeking support or reporting their abuse (UN Women, 2015), the need for preventative, stigma-reducing education is urgent.
Changing the dialogue around domestic abuse and sexual violence, whilst proactively developing prevention strategies, lies at the core of Tender’s mission. Through education, the charity effectively equips young people with the tools to recognise abuse, challenge harmful norms and build healthy relationships. By normalising discussions around these topics, Tender amplifies the voices of survivors, combating the victim-blaming rhetoric that has long silenced them.
Workshops and discussions help young people to understand how sociocultural messages reinforce harmful attitudes to survivors, dismantle the idea that survivors are responsible for preventing assault and promote survivor-centred approaches.
Gisèle’s case is one of resilience and unwavering courage, as well as a stark reminder of the work needed to combat the silencing of survivors. By facing the realities of the abuse and violence prevalent in communities and providing vital education, Tender continues to push for a society in which shame no longer rests on those who have endured it, but on those who commit it.
Accountability in cases of abuse and sexual violence must be an absolute priority; as Gisèle herself powerfully stated, ‘shame must change sides’, and education is a powerful tool in this necessary fight.
