In the case of rape, for a woman, which is more important, life or protecting virtue? It is a difficult question to answer.

Female online writer Chen Lan recently claimed "fighting against a sex offender, even risking one's life, is a disgrace to the human race." Her comments have created a fierce debate throughout the online community.

 

Chen's comments reference a heartrending homicide case in west China's Gansu Province. A 22-year-old girl risked her life fighting a rapist who stabbed her in a rage and chopped her body into pieces afterwards.

 

The girl's tragedy evoked indignation along with great sympathy among netizens but some others criticized the victim's impulsive actions. But Chen Lan went further saying women who resist sexual assault at the cost of their lives are wrong.

 

"I think being critical of my comments is to be expected," Chen said. "But I just feel the some men, who advocate women defending themselves, subconsciously believe that a woman who has been raped is damaged goods. So they believe even if it costs her life, a woman should fight back against violent sexual assault."

 

"Following this logic, in the case rape, the woman's right to live is actually inferior to a man's right to have an undamaged wife," Chen wrote.

 

From a legal angle, Chen wrote, at the moment when a female victim starts fighting against her assaulter, she is no longer protecting her own rights, but is protecting the rights of her man.

 

After posting such controversial words, Chen has brought about strong reactions from online critics, who support her, are against her, or even attack her personally.

 

A post read there is "nothing more important than life; a person who cherishes life should not pass away in such a humiliating way."

 

"Managing to get by swallowing insults is a choice, but those who treasure their body and dignity more will win my respect," a post against Chen's arguments read.

 

Some others are critical of Chen's views concerning the sexual relations between men and women.

 

"Is there any direct relation between the two? No! At least, we women should protect ourselves from sexual assault. Young lady, your stand sounds extreme, really," writes one netizen.

 

Nevertheless, most netizens take a neutral stance, saying whether or not the girl defends herself should be based on the situation.

 

A netizen named 'bird in hometown' commented that one can only enjoy life if one is alive, however for women who have lost their dignity life may be no better than that of an animal, and not worth living.

 

Others' comments do nothing but rub salt into the wounds of victims and their relatives, a netizen called 'Born after 1990' wrote.

 

In answer to comments that said that tolerance of sexual assault is a way of saying yes, Chen claimed sex crimes are not the result of non-resistance but incorporate many elements including poor public security, rate of unemployment, and low education levels.

 

"It is ridiculous to say that resisting rape is a disgrace," Jin Zhanliang, a Beijing lawyer writes. "Rape in China is a felony. It deserves a more stringent sentence than that given for a misdemeanor."

 

Jin said the online community should not lash out at but commend the victim's courage.

 

The lawyer said neither blind resistance nor tolerance is acceptable, for no one can predict the results of either action.

 

Effective ways to prevent sexual crimes are to raise women's awareness of self-defense and to provide related training like lectures on sexual assault prevention, he added.

 

(China Daily July 24, 2006)