Frankie Pangilinan encourages everyone to ‘do part’ in ‘denormalizing’ rape culture

Frankie “Kakie” Pangilinan has encouraged everyone to do their part in “denormalizing” the rape culture in the Philippines.

“Do your part ... Denormalize it. Call it out. People who say things that are extremely damaging should be accountable,” she said during Thomson Reuters’ virtual session on resisting against rape culture and victim blaming Tuesday.

“We have to destroy the idea that prevention is better than the solution,” said Frankie, the daughter of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and actress Sharon Cuneta.

Last month, Frankie started the hashtag #HijaAko in response to TV and radio personality Ben Tulfo who had commented that “sexy ladies” should be “careful with what they wear” to avoid “inviting the beast.”

Calling Frankie “hija,” Tulfo said that a “sex offender’s desire to commit a crime will always be there.”

Frankie called out this mentality and said rape happened because of rapists, and the way anyone dressed shouldn’t be deemed “as opportunity to sexually assault them.”

She said this kind of mentality focused on a notion of “prevention” and disregarded “the bigger cultural solution.”

To end victim-blaming, Frankie urged people to educate others and denormalize that kind of mentality.

Divina Law senior partner Estrella Elamparo said that although having good leaders in organizations and administrations was important to show people the way, the grassroots movement wasn’t “entirely helpless.”

“What Kakie has been doing is helping the grassroots movement end victim-blaming culture,” she said.

The lawyer also said anyone could help out just by using the different platforms available to them.

“It’s only a matter of being creative,” she added. – RC, GMA News