The Rape of Female Travelers Proves America Is Still Safer For Women Than Many Other Countries

Shifting attitudes in the West on who can travel solo has further fueled the increase of women travelers. It’s a chance for adventure, to see wonders, all without the need to find a group to travel with.  

But some women, like Fernanda, discover horror away from home.

Fernanda is a travel influencer, going by Vicente y Fernanda online. Her Instagram feed is full of adventure-inspiring content: her traveling the world on a motorbike with her husband. This year, Fernanda hit India, her 67th country, and celebrated by sharing photos with her followers at the Taj Mahal, petting elephants, and meeting with local Indians. 

After one of their motorbiking legs, Fernanda and Vicente stopped to make camp, as they did in the 66 countries before. This time, however, they were attacked. Fernanda revealed on Instagram to nearly 300,000 followers that she and her husband were ambushed by a group of men. She was then violently gang raped, all while they beat and forced her husband to watch.

Fernanda told a Spanish news station, “They raped me, they took turns while some watched, and they stayed like that for about two hours.” Fernanda added that they threatened to kill her and her husband as well. 

Her horrifying incident had social media users weighing in to share their own heartbreaking experiences of being attacked while traveling abroad. Stories like being groped in India, drugged and raped in the Bahamas, and gang-raped in Thailand. 

Rape Abroad 

These stories offer a chilling reminder that the world is not as open to women travelers as America and the West. In India, where Fernanda had her horrifying rape experience, an average of nearly 90 rapes are reported every day. Bangladesh has 11,682 rape incidents per 100,000 people. A report conducted by the All-China Women's Federation estimated that close to 40% of Chinese women who are involved in a relationship experience physical or sexual violence. These are only the reported cases. Hyderabad, the fourth-largest city in India with a population of 7 million people, had only 64 cases of sexual harassment reported in 2022. Kolkata, the seventh-largest city, had just 25 cases. 

The truth is, rape and violence against women are not treated the same in other countries as it is in the United States and the West. Many have skewed justice systems where survivors are denied justice, rapists avoid prosecution, and countless cases go unreported due to corruption, victim blaming, and the threat of honor killings.

Protecting Women in America 

While America still has a long way to go on rape statistics, there is an incentive in America for women to come forward, share evidence, and receive a fair trial. Hospitals have rape kits on hand, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has an easily accessible hotline for victims of rape, and, most importantly, most American men simply will not stand for violence against women. 

Culture in the United States is vehemently pro-women and anti-rape. We simply do not stand for that type of behavior. The attitude makes sense considering America’s history as a Christian nation and the clear teaching that rape is wrong, period, as well as the recent #MeToo movement.

Many men, in light of Fernanda’s chilling story, are coming to the women’s defense showing that they would go full Taken on these effeminate monsters who rape women.

Rape Culture 

The truth is, in many countries outside the West, there is a strong culture that perpetuates the harm of women. 

When India put into place the death penalty for rape, Zainab Malik, of the Lahore-based not-for-profit legal rights firm Justice Project Pakistan, told the BBC that it is unlikely to change anything. She says that’s because the "police are biased against women and are hesitant to even register cases of gang rape as that would mean the death penalty for a group of men." The BBC added, “Activists in the country say that in many cases police tend to broker compromises, encouraging survivors, under threat or coercion, to withdraw their complaint, so that the accused is set free on the basis of ‘low probability of conviction.’"

However, even reporting the attack can be dangerous. In cultures with a strong emphasis on honor, a woman being raped is seen as a stain on the family's reputation. Restoring this "lost honor" is sometimes believed to be possible only through the victim's death, a horrific practice known as honor killing.

Honor killings involve the murder of a family member who is perceived to have brought shame upon the family. This can include reasons like seeking a divorce, refusing an arranged marriage, or, tragically, being a victim of rape. India, Pakistan, and Nepal have some of the highest reported rates, but honor killings are a problem across the Middle East and South Asia.

This creates a deep incentive for women to silence themselves. Reporting rape can be seen as an admission of guilt by the family, leading to potential violence against the victim in the name of restoring honor. This silence becomes an opportunity for men to take advantage of women who fear the social and familial backlash.

Further complicating matters are prevalent “rape myths,” stereotypical beliefs that excuse the rapist and hold the victim responsible for the attack. These myths often paint a picture where a woman's behavior, like being under the influence, wearing Western clothing, or simply being out at night, somehow justifies the rape. This victim-blaming not only adds to the trauma but also discourages women from coming forward.

How Women Can Stay Safe Abroad

There is a serious conversation emerging on how or if women should travel solo or even to countries with high rates of violence against women at all.

It’s true that not every location in these countries is seriously unsafe. I lived in South Africa, which has some of the highest cases of violence against women, alone. You can, but you must be vigilant and hyper-aware.

1. Seriously reconsider travel to these countries. The world is a big place, and there are plenty of beautiful cities, towns, and naturescapes to see in places that respect and protect women. 

2. Don’t go outside at night. If you must go to a place that is not friendly toward women, avoid being outside after dark. If you must, don’t go out alone after dark without a man. I know, it’s a jab to your independence. But you alone will not deter an attack, whereas another man might.

3. Stick to the safe neighborhoods. Most cities have areas that are nicer and safer than others. Research things like crime statistics, where expats live, and the average income of different neighborhoods.

4. Dress conservatively. Research the style of clothes that people in that country wear. Match or exceed the level of conservativeness. Avoid wearing bright colors. You want to blend in as much as possible. When you stick out, you become an easy target. Dressing non-conservatively can be considered an excuse for violence against women.

5. Avoid nightclubs and excessive drinking. Avoid putting yourself in a position where your senses are inebriated and your actions can be used as an excuse to hurt you.

6. Monitor the news. You need to understand what is happening each day in whatever region and city you're in.

7. Avoid crowded areas. Stalking, groping, and violence are easier while hiding among a crowd. 

8. Trust your gut. If a situation feels unsafe, it probably is. Don't hesitate to remove yourself or seek help.

Closing Thoughts 

While these safety measures may seem like limitations, they're proactive steps for navigating unfamiliar territory. It's about informed travel, not sacrificing your adventurous spirit. 

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