Don't blame the victim

"…womanhood is precious and noble so it is not right for them to be flaunting it around… They should not make themselves appear cheap and practically inviting to be violated by men." – Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan on what lessons can women draw from the rape of a Filipina woman by a 21-year-old American Marine officer in the Subic Bay Freeport


I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this in a newspaper last week. The nerve of this priest to blame women for being raped! No wonder attendance in Catholic masses continues to dwindle.

It is not women's fault that they are raped. The way they dress or act is not the reason why men rape women. They are raped because men like Archbishop Oscar Cruz have no respect for women as human beings.

I am happy that Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was convicted of rape and sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. I wish the other three marine officers were also convicted because I'm sure they are as guilty as Smith. I wish also that Archbishop Oscar Cruz would shut up and ask for forgiveness from all women for his stupid and sexist statements.