Advice against rape: “You have to think that there is a person in there."

In one of the Norwegian blogs I follow, I came across a post that fits perfectly in with my previous posts, and with the author´s permission, I have translated it.

Blogger Marit Elisebet Totland is a politician with a wide range of experience.

Here’s a link (all in Norwegian) to her “About Me” page

Here is a link to the original article, called 

"Argument mot voldtekt: "Det er ein person inni der"

And here is a translation: 

Marit Elisebet Totland :

“You have to think that there´s a person in there"

A reporter in the national TV program "Puls" is talking with boys who have committed rape, and asks how one can prevent this. One guy answers that it helps to think that "there is a person in there".

That is completely correct. There is a person in there. But I find it disturbing that this has to be underscored. Isn't it self-evident?  

Is our culture so body-fixated that we have to remind ourselves of what is most important? The visible body is a living human being with thoughts, emotions, evaluations and borders, and it has 100% value, regardless of what others might think?

Maybe it´s not just borders that children and young adults need to learn about, but the unconditional value of human life. That is the cornerstone. When we have a firm base of knowledge about human dignity and worth, we can transform that knowledge into respectful action, regardless of race, sex, religion, health, age … the list is endless.