I don't think anyone's arguing that rape or violence against women does not exist in Somalia / Somali community in the diaspora. What we're arguing against is the claim that there's a 'rape culture' in our community and that the community should be held responsible for shaming victims in to silence. Ceeb culture is a result of the victims environment and the mindset of his/her immediate circle.
Rape as a tool of war and the underreporting of rape & gender-based violence is a global occurrance. It's not something that's exclusive to 'repressive', 'backwards', cultures like some would like to claim. We are against the vilification of the Somali community and the outrageous claims being made by a subset of Twitter activists to further their own agenda.
I do agree with you that this is a topic that needs to be discussed in our community. Not doing so would allow these self-serving individuals to be the only voice on this issue.
Buraanbur
Ina Adeer, I absolutely agree with all your points above and let me admit to you my ignorance, this is the first time I ever heard of "ceeb culture". I thought the ceeb culture was about the rape itself and not the added victimisation of the raped person. Family dynamics differ from one another, some will report and others may not, while most aren't aware because the victim decided not to tell anyone for her own reasons. In the Western world, the majority of rape cases are under reported, even when reported, it won't lead to an arrest and a successful prosecution.
Rape Is Grossly Underreported In The U.S., Study Finds.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/2 ... 10765.html
Unreported rapes: the silent shame
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/cr ... 61636.html
It is a universal phenomenon rather than a Somali "ceeb culture".