Over the last like forty years, there has been a rapid emergence of criminal cases which is believed to be attributed by the expanding level of globalization. Although the use of internet and inventions in the information technology industry is beneficial, there are those who have used it to facilitate their criminal activities. Any act considered as a felony to the society is a crime. For instance, if one person robs another that act is regarded as an offense to everyone in the state. Examples of other crimes are homicide, rape, burglary, a conspiracy among others ("Key Cases: Criminal Law). A criminal case can be illustrated by an incidence where a perpetrator is punished by the government for committing a crime.
The crime of rape involves any act of non-consensual forced abuse or assault to an individual sexually. Despite most nations defining rape as an unlawful intercourse by a man against a woman against her will or by force, it broader and it is probably one of the most common subjects in the lens of crime. This crime is classified according to different perspectives (Flowers, 2006). For example, it can be categorized based on the primary motive of the rapist either power rape, sadistic rape or anger rape.
Sexual assault and rape are crimes regardless of whether or not physical force was used. However it is mostly physical and its primary motive is for the rapist to meeting their non-sexual desire for power and their expression of anger, rather than their sexual pleasure. These days the target of a sexual attack may be male or female regardless of age or race. It is, however, worthwhile mentioning how this criminal act is surrounded by fear, ignorance and myths. The ignorance part comes in by the way people do not pay much attention to understanding the adverse effects the act can cause. And those victimized by a rapist feel vulnerable and fear to ask for help by sharing what has been done to them. It is true that rape frightens a lot of people, and they do not want to consider the probability of anyone they are related to or them is violated in this manner. This has to lead the society to get accustomed to some beliefs about rape as a way of reassuring them that it cannot happen to them and hide the brutality of what it really does. But what these beliefs do is instill more fear in victims of the act preventing them reporting the attack.
Usually, especially girls when raped they fear saying as they believe they will be blamed for dressing provocatively and provoking the rapist in a seductive manner. This has contributed to the silence regarding the criminal act in some communities. But this mentality should be cleared as regardless of how one is dressed no one has the authorities to assault them at any circumstance. And if the criminal act has occurred the perpetrator should always be considered responsible.
Usually, when people hear the term rape, they assume the victim to be a woman, but men are also victims of sexual assault. Based on research conducted by an individual organization in Ireland they found out that about ten percent of their male populations were victims of rape although merely a half of them share that with a soul (Savino, Turvey, & Baeza, 2005). This is expected as no man would want to feel weak or be ridiculed. However, it is about that time that men realize and accept these things happen, and they seek help. Although it is not common rape can occur in a relationship and marriage. And when such occurs it is accompanied by other forces of violence. Rape is not always just committed by a perpetrator that wants to satisfy his or her sexual desires it is also used as a weapon of war and oppression. This is common like when a troop of terrorist invades or takes hostage a given area. They use this act to torture and oppress their hostages.
Rape has many effects some of which are short-term and others long-term. These effects are not mutually exclusive and most victims experience one or more of them. It is evident that the mental, physical and spiritual effects that follow a sexual assault are very hard to overcome (Rosen, 2002). The rape trauma syndrome is the most expressed effect after rape. At some cause, the victims might be tempted to commit suicide or retaliate if the perpetrator is known. Other effects are a deep emotional pain, dramatic mood swings and difficulty in trusting.
In wanting to know the reason behind people committing crimes many theories have emerged trying to explain the reasons and help in handling crimes. It is most certain that by understanding the thinking of a perpetrator means of controlling crime can be readily devised (Ferrell & Hayward, 2011). Some theories assume a crime to be the fault of an individual, whereby a person gauges on whether or not to commit a crime. On the other hand, we have theories that leave the responsibility of crimes not happening or happening in the hands of the society. According to these theories, it is the community that has to guarantee the security and safety of its inhabitants. Examples of these theories are:
Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories of crime
Labeling theory
Conflict theory
Radical theory
Theories of victimization
Environmental theories
According to the conflict theory, it assumes that crime is an attribute of misunderstanding in the society between the different classes of people. The theory also believes that laws are made a must in society because of frequent conflict but not as a result of consent. The social and economic constraints are the causes of crime. For instance, street boys are commonly found in rape cases as due to their condition they are not attractive, being left with the option of using force to satisfy any sexual desires they might be having.
Most people have the mentality that the criminal law and justice are there only to look out of the rich and powerful. And it is as a result of this when for instance someone is raped or sexually assaulted by their employers they take no actions encouraging those perpetrators to continue with their crimes. In the case of rape in marriages or a relationship, the act is mostly triggered by a misunderstanding and one part view his or herself to be more powerful that they can assault the other without any measure being taken on them. Base on this theory to control and prevent the occurrence of a crime like rape, it is upon everyone to be responsible and fight the fear in societies when it come to the matter. Additionally, those perpetrators found guilty should be taught a lesson they will not forget to be an example for the rest.
References
Ferrell, J., & Hayward, K. J. (2011). Cultural criminology: Theories of crime. Surrey, England: Ashgate Pub.
Flowers, R. B. (2006). Sex crimes: Perpetrators, predators, prostitutes, and victims. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Key Cases: Criminal Law. (2011). doi:10.4324/9780203785676
Rosen, M. (2002). Dealing with the effects of rape and incest. Philadelphia: Chelsea House.
Savino, J. O., Turvey, B. E., & Baeza, J. J. (2005). Rape investigation handbook. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press.
