By Trigger Warning: Rape Culture, Rape, Sexual Assault, Violence Against Women and Girls, Violence Against Women of Color, Islamophobia, Immigrants, Hypermasculinity
Early Thursday morning, Houston police were called by a 12-year-old-girl. The 4:00 A.M. call came from the daughter of a recent Iranian immigrant who was being raped in front of her children by a neighbor who had forced his way into their apartment.
Sgt. Reginal Porter of the Houston Police Department reported that “He forced the victim to undress in front of her children, and then he raped her. She was able to hand her phone off to one of the kids and told them in Arabic to call the police.”
The suspect, Bryce Scott, 42, is a father-of-two and lives with his children and mother in the same apartment complex. He casually knew the survivor as their children played together at the playground. Seven out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
While it is unclear at this time whether the survivor of aggravated sexual assault was targeted because of her faith or origins, this act of violence against women cannot be removed from the global assault against Muslim women that monitors and regulates our bodies, movement, liberties, and aspirations.
Scott fled the apartment naked. He left his pants and wallet at the scene of the crime making identification easy. He was later apprehended by police, still naked, hiding under a truck about 40 yards away from the apartment, near a school. He is currently in custody.
While the identity of the woman is still cause for some confusion, as the police identified her both as Iranian and an Arabic speaker which is not improbable, just rare, one thing is clear — she is undoubtedly an immigrant from the Muslim world.
While it is unclear at this time whether the survivor of aggravated sexual assault was targeted because of her faith or origins, this act of violence against women cannot be removed from the global assault against Muslim women that monitors and regulates our bodies, movement, liberties, and aspirations.
Four mosques have been set ablaze in less than two months, Muslim men or men who are perceived to be Muslim are being shot and killed in cold blood in public and private places, and Muslim women are being raped in their homes. Trump’s Muslim Ban, anti-Muslimness, and overall hateful rhetoric has bred a perception of “open season” against communities of color unlike anything that we have previously seen. Fear cultivates powerful resistance, and with faithful reflection during these turbulent times we will make it through this.
May that disgusting piece of human get the proper punishment for committing this audacious crime.
“May that disgusting piece of human get the proper punishment for committing this audacious crime.”
What do you think should be the punishment for raping a mother in her home in front of her children?
DEATH
That’s an understandable reflex. I thought over it, was unsatisfied with it, that’s why I asked the question. But capital punishment is short and sweet considering the multiple crimes he has committed and compounded, the horrific trauma he has caused, the multiple victims.
Shooting him when he broke into her home and at the bedroom door – before he committed the crime against her, nature and humanity – would have been appropriate and justified. But after the rape, premeditated and planned obviously, and the life long psychic trauma to the children, especially for the twelve year old girl at the threshold of puberty … how does one punish that?
That was my question. My predicament: How to design a punishment that would fit the enormity of the crimes he has committed?
yes I see what you mean death would be to easy. This man needs to suffer much more. Life without parole spent in solitary confinement would be a good start.
It is not customary in Islam to overdo it with punishments. Keep in mind that the less punishment given in this world, the more he’ll get in the next world.
It seems that scholars consider rape to have the same punishment as zina: which is 100 lashes if he’s a virgin or stoned to death if he was previously married
(Which is what I wanted to ask you, although I think I already know your answer: I’ve heard scholars say stoning has been abrogated with verse 2 of Surah Nur, and I agree with that. What do you think?)
Back to the topic, since she was humiliated in front of her kids and possibly threatened or harmed, and of course him entering her own home to do the crime, perhaps this can be considered muhaaraba and the following verse applies:
“The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter”
[al-Maa’idah 5:33].
Which one of these would you like?
“Muslim women are being raped in their homes.”
Houston is in Texas. Texas is a carry state. Texas is a stand your ground state. What was this woman doing without a gun in her home. Where was her husband? The twelve year old knew how to use the phone. Why was she not taught to use a gun for self defense. This man should have been shot the moment he entered their home at four in the morning. And again for good measure. And yet again for the heck of it!
“Trump’s Muslim Ban, anti-Muslimness, and overall hateful rhetoric has bred a perception of “open season” against communities of color unlike anything that we have previously seen.”
The President’s antipathy to Islam and Muslims is now a fact of life in America. Muslims now have to live or die with it. They have no other choice given that Americans have elected that fact of life and death for American Muslims.
BTW What has color to do with it? You are letting your own prejudices to color the issue. Iranians are Caucasians. Caucasians are white in case you have never met an Iranian in your life. And know that Islam is color blind irrespective of what color you may want to color it. Are you a Muslim? If you are then you should know that.
As for “open season”. Those who act like prey will be treated as prey. That is also a fact of life. Rural, urban or wild, it is an evolutionary imperative. Goes without saying that all Muslim men and preferably all Muslim women must be armed at all times … especially in these troubled times.
Now quit crying foul and get to a shooting range, pronto. Learn to use a gun with the same ease you do a phone, a pen or a bike. And remember: Armed people are respectful, polite and peaceful. And a 9mm hydra shock will beat an iphone any night!
This poor woman and her children. My heart goes out to her.. as for this POS man. I hope he gets the fullest of punishments. What type of sick jerk does what he did and also in front of children? Sick sick sick man. This is when I wish we had tougher laws, castrate the loser.