The perceptions and attitudes of others towards rape perpetrators and victims are vital in the treatment and recovery of casualties. More than half of the rape victims talk about the assault after some time; and they incline to seek support from the close social network, like family and friends other than formal institutions. Emotional supports have been intensely linked to better recovery outcomes. However, negative social reactions, for instance, blaming the victim for the rape incident, minimizing the rape assault incident and excusing the rape perpetrator of his or her actions, have been associated with increased psychological trauma and delayed recovery. Therefore, it is crucial to examine individual perceptions and attitudes towards rape, rape victims, and perpetrators.
Rape by men towards women is the most rampant and the most addressed. It is, however, essential to note that there are women rapists as well (Angelone, Damon, and Laura, 2278). Recognition of traditional gender role norms for men and women has significantly contributed to rape tolerance and acceptance of negative rape perceptions. Such traditional gender roles have been correlated to men committing rape and violence against women as long as they have a leeway out (Angelone, Damon, and Laura, 2279). Traditional gender stereotyping increases sexual arousal patterns similar to those characteristic in rapists. Such people believe that rape is often the woman's fault and is driven by the resilient need for sexual release. The victims who violate the traditional gender norms are always blamed more while rape perpetrators blamed less. On the other hand, individuals who do not practice gender- role stereotyping perceived rape cases as more severe and are less probable to blame the victim.
The extent of the relationship between victim and perpetrator also influence rape perceptions. Rapes by acquaintances, for example, husband to wife or wife to husband, are less likely to be considered as rape; but rape by strangers are taken seriously. The more common a rape perpetrator is, his or her actions are perceived as a minor violation of the victim's rights, hence considered less responsible for the rape. Punishments in such cases also differ, as shorter sentences or lighter penalties are recommended for acquaintance rapists as compared to stranger rapists. Rape victims tend to be blamed more when they are raped by acquaintances rather than when strangers rape them
The severity of abuse experiences is perceived differently by different genders. In cases where a rape perpetrator is a man, men seem to have a positive behavioral intention towards the rapist. Women, on the other hand, evaluate rape more seriously and are less likely to endorse rape- supportive beliefs like men. In cases where the victim is a man, some men seem to support the victim, while women and a smaller percentage of men support the perpetrator. Men appear to attribute blame to the rape victims and are less negative in their views of the offender compared to women. Women take rape instances seriously and recommend harsh punishments to the perpetrators.
Work Cited
Angelone, J., Damon Mitchell, and Laura Grossi. "Men’s perceptions of an acquaintance rape: The role of relationship length, victim resistance, and gender role attitudes." Journal of interpersonal violence 30.13 (2015): 2278-2303.
