Earlier this week, L.A. Times reporter Tony Barboza reported that 48-year-old Catherine Kieu Becker had allegedly severed her husband’s penis. According to the article, she drugged his dinner, tied him to the bed, severed his penis and then tossed it into the garbage disposal before calling 911 to his rescue and her arrest.
In the words of my former professor and social worker extraordinaire, Dr. Marla McCulloch, “Mental Illness is a REAL thing!”
What is more concerning is the methodical way in which Becker orchestrated her plan, which raises the question "Is revenge part of human nature?" Becker allegedly informed the police that she and her husband were going through a bitter divorce and therefore, he “deserved it.” While divorces are typically not all “kum by ya,” what is humanity coming to when Lorena Bobbitt is your idol?
Domestic violence is NEVER deserved. It is inexcusable. It is a violation of the things we cherish most in relationships: support, trust, comfort, security, and compassion. Domestic violence is more than a physical assault; it also includes both emotional and psychological abuse.
The old saying is “Hell hath no fury like a woman scourned.” But…REALLY? Even if Becker’s husband slept with his secretary, the maid, and her BFF, when did cutting off someone else’s cash and prizes become OK? When did self-esteem become nonexistent? When did people become so dependent on others to determine their self-worth and the value of their lives? When is one person ever worth that much drama that prevents you from moving on and moving forward?
Moving right along...sexual assault is NEVER deserved. Women are disproportionately victimized in sexual assault scenarios, often blamed for their “sex appeal” (was that a mini-skirt and makeup she was wearing?); their “presumed promiscuity” (she’s a slut who sleeps with anyone); or their “being out past curfew” (clearly women should know better than to stay out late at night…after all, they know what could happen).
Combating such BS is no easy task; but ultimately it’s the main goal of SLUTWALK, an event that has been taking the states by storm and hits Philadelphia on Saturday August 6, 2011 at 11th& Pine Street; 11am! SLUTWALK is raising awareness that a person’s appearance is NOT the cause of rape. Rapists are the cause of rape! It is recognizing that while women are disproportionately impacted, ANYONE can be sexually victimized and it is time that society unites against violence!
Need advice? Have a question about sex, sexuality, relationships or otherwise? Feel free to email Cassie with your questions, concerns, rants or raves at cswolfe@mail.widener.edu. After all, she IS your SexGuru!
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