America. Women Drive Because They Don't Care If They're Raped - Saudi Historian

A Saudi Arabian historian trying to justify the nation's ban on female drivers says women who drive in other countries such as the United States don't care if they're raped and that sexual violence "is no big deal" to them."

Saleh Al-Saadoon claimed in a recent TV interview that women can be raped when a car breaks down, but unlike other countries, Saudi Arabia protects its women from that risk by not allowing them to drive in the first place, according to a translation posted online by the Middle East Media Research Institute.

"They don't care if they are raped on the roadside, but we do," Al-Saadoon said on Saudi Rotana Khalijiyya TV.


“Hold on. Who told you they don’t care about getting raped on the roadside?” asked the host, a woman who is not named in the transcript.

“It’s no big deal for them beyond the damage to their morale,” Al-Saadoon replied. “In our case, however, the problem is of a social and religious nature.”

Two other guests on the show -- a man and a woman -- appeared to be in shock over his comments. Al-Saadoon said they were out of touch.

"They should listen to me and get used to what society thinks," Al-Saadoon said.

Since the rape argument didn't seem to be convincing anyone, Al-Saadoon tried another approach, claiming that women are treated "like queens" in Saudi Arabia because they are driven around by the men of the family and male chauffeurs.


Watch below