August 13, 2010

Sexual abuse = Native custom?!

Winnipeg father claimed sex with daughters part of aboriginal healing

By Mike McIntyreA Manitoba father convinced his 11-year-old daughter to have sex with him by claiming it was a necessary requirement for her aboriginal upbringing.And:The man also admitted to sexually abusing his 12-year-old daughter by repeatedly touching and rubbing his body against her, also in the name of "cultural awareness."

"He told (the rape victim) it was an aboriginal thing for a father to make his daughter ready for her husband or boyfriend. He said this was part of their aboriginal teachings, but to never talk about it," McComb told court. "By doing this in the context of spiritual training, he breached their trust. The children thought he would be a wholesome, healthy teacher of good values. He exploited that trust."
Comment:  I'd say the father used the "savage" and "uncivilized" stereotypes to commit his crimes. "We have strange customs the white man doesn't understand," the man might've told his daughter. "They may seem barbaric, but they're part of our culture."

Apparently he used the classic "it's a [blank] thing" line to justify his actions. Whenever people say that, you can bet they have no real explanation and are just trying to end the debate.

For more on the subject, see Kinky Indian Sex.

4 comments:

dmarks said...

There was something very similar to this with someone using such a claim for Australian Aborigines recently.

Anonymous said...

I'd say the father used the "savage" and "uncivilized" stereotypes to commit his crimes. "We have strange customs the white man doesn't understand," the man might've told his daughter. "They may seem barbaric, but they're part of our culture."


So Rob you are in favor of sexual abuse of a minor if culturally sensitive excuses are made for the abuse?

Rob said...

No, which is why I called his actions "crimes." I was paraphrasing his made-up excuse to show how he justified his immoral actions to his daughter or himself.

Although child abuse wasn't part of any Native culture I've heard of, let's suppose it was part of some hypothetical culture. Let's suppose this father was still practicing a custom we consider barbaric. And he was completely sincere about it.

In that case, my answer would be different. In the past, I'd say, he believed what he was doing was right, so I wouldn't criticize him for it. But now that he's part of our global culture, it's no longer acceptable.

That's how I'd address all sorts of "barbaric" practices: human sacrifice, honor killings, female genital mutilation, infanticide, etc. If you want to join the world community, make sure your actions comport with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Otherwise we'll exercise our right to treat you as a criminal pariah.

dmarks said...

"Although child abuse wasn't part of any Native culture I've heard of, let's suppose it was part of some hypothetical culture"

And those who dig and find examples of it to use as proof of the inferiority of Native civilizations had best remember Columbus' interest in engaging in sexual assault against 9 year old Taino girls..