Introduction
It is a sad fact is that rape remains a common crime all over the world, and different countries have different punishments for convicted rapists. Chemical castration is a process where drugs are used for reducing sexual activity and libido of the convicts. Among all the options that are present in the judicial systems, probably the most logical solution is chemical castration. Chemical castration is a process where drugs are used for reducing sexual activity and libido of the convicts (Park). Even though some people might claim that chemical castration seems too harsh a punishment, but it is only fair that the convicted rapists have to pay the price of reduced sexual activity or libido. Rape victims tend to suffer mental and physical trauma from their assailants, and deserve fair justice from the law. It is important to understand that the rights of convicts cannot and should not supersede their victims or overrule justice (Dabashi).
Background
Psychiatrists, legislators, and law enforcement officials have debated over the most effective way of ensuring that sexual offenders are unable to repeat their crimes. Despite castration being a traditional concept, chemical castration is more or less a modern phenomenon (Scott & Holmberg 502). In the mid-1990s, chemical castration came to the fore and several countries such as Russia have since adopted it as the suitable punishment for convicted rapists. The chemical castration has been presented as a middle way for the people on both sides of the debate who either support capital punishment and others who ask for prison time. The advantage of chemical castration over other punishments is clearly its intention of providing just punishment and ensuring a life is not wasted through regulatory proceedings (Jet Magazine 16-17).
Support for Claim
Sex related crimes have become a crucial public health problem, which requires efforts to deter the offenders and provide protection to the community. There are several worthy solutions that can help in reducing repeat offense from convicted rapists, but the most effective solution has proven to be chemical castration. Several studies among imprisoned convicts have proven the impact of chemical castration in reducing repeat offense. In addition, chemical castration also enables convicted rapists to rejoin the society as normal participants after their conviction term. Drugs utilized in the castration process aims to lower the convict’s libido and reduce the repetition of dangerous sexual behavior (The Daily Mail).
Chemical castration significantly pacifies the excessive libido of convicts and brings it back to a moderate level. There have been cases of several convicted rapists deliberately agreeing to castration to deter their heightened levels of libido, and to ensure they do not repeat their egregious level of crimes. A study conducted in Scandinavia suggested that castration can help in reducing the rates of reoffending among convicted rapists from 40 percent to just 5 percent. Another study that further exemplifies the claim for chemical castration was done in 1967 as it reported that the repetition rate among 900 convicts reached from 80 percent to only 2 percent. Therefore, chemical castration would ensure that several convicted rapists would not repeat their crimes in the future (The Daily Mail).
The opposition might not support the case of chemical castration as they either think it is either too weak a punishment for the crime they committed and convicts might be using castration as an excuse or other who claim that it is too harsh a punishment as it takes away manhood from a person. Although both sides present valid points, it is important to understand that castration is the best solution in terms of providing justice to the victim and ensuring that convicted rapists are able to rejoin the society as active and safe members after their conviction.
Opponent’s Claim
The main view presented by the opponents of chemical castration is their understanding of stimulus behind convicted rapists’ behavior. Most opponents believe that convicts committed rape due to their aggressive nature as they aim to overpower and display their physical force over their opponents. The weakness of this claim is that several convicts claim that their crime was motivated by their sexual desires and uncontrollable libido. There are some opponents who believe that it is better to eliminate the convicted rapists, rather than spending federal money on them and sending them back to the society after their term of conviction. There is a clear weakness in this claim as it is highly dangerous and it is possible that some are mistakenly convicted.
Rebuttal
Some of the biggest advantages of chemical castration are that it is economical, reduces the probability of crime repetition, provides convicts another chance to live a standard life after conviction and ensures a life is saved. At the moment, the punishment for convicted rapists is mostly significant amount of years in prison, but it means the federal government would end up spending a significant amount of money on imprisoning convicts. The process of chemical castration would save the federal billions of dollars annually. Chemical castration would also ensure that the uncontrollable libido or sexual desires that drive most convicted rapists to repeat their crimes in the future are also not repeated. Finally, chemical castration saves a life, as convicted rapist end up going through a process that makes them safer around others and the government does not need to eliminate them from the society.
Conclusion
There are several methods used for punishing convicted rapists and among them chemical castration is most suitable. Chemical castration has been supported as an effective means to punish convicted rapists. The chemical castration method provides several advantages and eliminates the disadvantages of other methods of punishment. There are several evidences that supports the use of chemical castration for convicted rapists as it suppressed their libido and reduces the chances of repetition, saves a life and provides it a chance to return as a civilian, and costs less that other options. Overall, it is the most effective way to punish convicted rapists and should be used regularly to make our society better.
Works Cited
Dabashi., Hamid. Rapists: Is castration a solution?. Al Jazeera. aljazeera.com. June 2014. Web. 4 September 2016.
The Daily Mail. Controversial chemical castration 'cure' for sex offenders lowers libido to that of a pre-pubescent boy. The Daily Mail. thedailymail.co.uk. 26 August 2008. Web. 4 September 2016.
Jet Magazine. "Will Chemical Castration Stop Sex Offenders?" Jet Magazine 23 Sept. 1996: 16-17. Print.
Park., Madison. Using chemical castration to punish child sex crimes. CNN. cnn.com. 5 September 2012. Web. 4 September 2016.
Scott, Charles L., and Trent Holmberg. "Castration of Sex Offenders: Prisoners’ Rights Versus Public Safety." J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 31.4 (2003): 502-509. Print.
