A women's rape counsellor says online mainstream pornography bears some of the responsibility for the recent brutal gang rape of a 16-year-old girl and the immediate, widespread online distribution of pictures of the attack.
The attack happened at a Pitt Meadows, B.C. teenage rave party, and graphic photos were distributed across Facebook and other social media sites. Police said they were shocked at posted comments that disparaged the victim and suggested she cooperated in the attack. The photos and abusive comments continue to be distributed through social media.
Related: Police disgusted by photo sharing of rave gang-rape
"The proliferation of pornography on the internet makes it much more acceptable for the degradation of women and the rape of women to appear on Facebook," said Daisy Kler, spokeswoman for Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter.
"I think that's a new phenomenon. Much of the pornography available to kids on the internet is depictions of women being violently raped…and I think the acceptability of that kind of depiction of degrading women has influenced the acceptability of rape and sexual assault portrayed on Facebook."
Police believe the girl was drugged and raped by several teenage boys some time on Friday night or Saturday morning. Maple Ridge RCMP have charged one youth with production of child pornography for allegedly photographing the gang rape and distributing the extremely graphic images. Police say those pictures made their way onto sites such as Facebook, and have also been distributed widely on Blackberrys and iPhones, making it difficult for police to curtail.
Cpl. Jennifer Hyland said police are appealing to the public to cooperate with their efforts to stop the distribution of the images.
"Anybody who has possession of these photos needs to be aware it is child pornography," said Hyland. "They have to delete them and take them off [their phone or computer] and tell anybody they know who is sending them to stop doing that. They could very well be criminally charged for posting and distributing child pornography."
Kler said kids start watching pornography -- much of it degrading toward women -- at a younger age.
"I do know that the average age kids view pornography for the first time is between the ages of 9 and 11," Kler said.
"The whole mythology sold to men and the fantasy perpetuated through most pornography is how women are willing participants who really love sex and really want five men having sex with them. That is a predominant image and theory that's being put out by pornography."
Kler also commended the victim and called on the girl's friends to support her through a traumatic ordeal.
"This young woman is a very, very brave young woman and we really call on her community and other young women in her life to stand beside her. We ask that they not contribute to any discussion about her character, her personality, or anything like that. This is the time to stand up and speak out about violence against women and girls, and to be showing that it is a crime."
