Dear Women’s Refuge NZ, blaming Crate Day — and alcohol on domestic violence and rape is problematic.
Crate day may not be for everyone, and like any other large event, it will come with it’s own problems, but blaming alcohol and crate day on rape and domestic violence doesn’t solve anything.
This year, on Saturday, December the 5th, was Crate Day, an annual traditional kiwi event in New Zealand where Kiwis purchase a crate of beer — or pre mixed alcoholic drinks to consume to mark the first day of Summer for the season — and the year. The tradition started in 2009, by The Rock radio station. Crate Day is traditionally held on the first Saturday of every summer.
Crate Day, as popular as it is with many Kiwis, has become the unfortunate ire of health professionals, namely anti alcohol activists such as Alcohol Healthwatch and it’s director, Dr Nicki Jackson. This day has also attracted criticism from the police, government officials and even hospital staff, because of the negative connotations associated with it — such as alcohol harm and binge drinking.
We all know that drinking too much alcohol can be harmful — from accidents and health issues, to unforeseen consequences, such as unwanted pregnancy. But, here is what alcohol does NOT cause: Rape, Sexual assault and domestic violence — or any other criminal behavior. And that’s where women’s refuge has gone wrong.
There are so many reasons why their opinion is problematic. First of all, on a very simple and non-feminist level, blaming alcohol on rape is practically the same as blaming a person wearing Gucci for being robbed. That’s right, victim blaming! A person is entitled to drink alcohol whenever he or she wants, as goes with a person spending money on, lets say luxury accessories such as Gucci or Armani. And the person is perfectly entitled to wear luxury items out in public without the fear of being robbed, no matter how expensive the item is.
Then you have the issue of challenging the patriarchy: This one is a more complex one, and is on a feminist level. Dr. Ang Jury has not only engaged in victim blaming, but she has also excused the perpetrators of domestic violence, making it easier for rapists who are in court for raping intoxicated people to be let off without a conviction, as the courts will blame alcohol for a person’s bad and criminal behavior. We will never be progressive as feminists as long as women like her, Lotta Dann — and Nicki Jackson continue to place the blame on alcohol for a person’s choice to rape an intoxicated person or to commit acts of domestic violence. While this is on par with the above — victim blaming, this is also a symptom of failing to challenge problematic male behavior, the patriarchy and colonialism. More importantly, this also feeds into the gendered stereotypes of female rape victims being raped because of their drinking, and where they have been. Furthermore, these women are white, middle-aged, conservative women, which doesn’t help anything. Peak white conservative “feminism” is the best description for these women. Also, this sort of view implies that it is a woman’s fault for drinking too much — remember, it is not the drinker’s fault for being raped, it’s the rapist’s (or that of the abuser’s) fault as abuse and rape is a choice.
It also insults the majority of people who drink alcohol — and have never harmed anyone after a drink. To simply blame a drink for rape or domestic violence is very similar to blaming violent video games for mass shootings — mass shooters get their inspiration from extremist ideologies, extremist groups and even celebrities and politicians, as they enable violence. Rapists rape intoxicated people because of the patriarchal ideologies espoused on social media, as well as the male dominated culture in general, which makes rapists think they have dominations and control — and that they are “tough”. It is also as equally offensive as blaming mental illnesses on mass shootings as well. Mass shooters shoot because they have been radicalized on the internet, or have been exposed to extremist material in any form or have been introduced to terrorist or extremist groups and also have unlimited access to weapons of mass destruction, such as guns, machetes, bombs and explosive agents — and NOT because of video games. Many people play video games of an extremely violent nature, and have not hurt anyone in their lives. When Women’s Refuge blames alcohol, they are not only implying that a drink causes rape, but they are also stereotyping drinkers as “rapists”.
Come on, Women’s Refuge, this is not okay and never will be — this is definitely a very low standard for you to be making such comments associating alcohol with rape. We expect better of you, given that you are a feminist organization dedicated to helping women get away from domestic violence. You are not helping people — you are actually causing offense, and actually more harm, as those types of views actually allow rapists to get off scot free by the high courts.
You can help women and men by challenging stereotypical male behavior, and sending out a positive message that victim blaming is not okay, and that there is never an excuse to rape anyone. Not religion, not mental health and not alcohol — absolutely nothing is excusable. Also learn about consent, and if a person says “NO”, it means NO. And finally, if you’re a feminist, or a feminist organization dedicated to helping women — think before you post. Make sure you don’t cause harm or offense. Don’t make the mistake of Women’s Refuge, and certainly don’t head the way of J.K Rowling, who is a transphobic woman. And don’t blame alcohol — or anything for the matter — on rape. There is NO excuse EVER for rape.
