Definition of Rape
According to the conventional common-law, rape can be defined as “the act of having unlawful carnal knowledge by a man of a woman, forcibly and against her will” (Pollock & Klotter, 2009). Considering the stated definition, sexual assault is regarded as rape when the male culprit forcibly penetrates his penis into the female vagina, however slight. Therefore, the sexual relationship between a husband and wife cannot be considered as rape or sexual assault.
Dynamics of Rape
The researchers have identified several dynamics of rape that helps in understanding the occurrence of such incidents efficiently. First, rapists are mostly non-strangers as compared to strangers. Second, the use of a weapon is not involved in most rape cases. Third, it is uncommon for a rape sufferer to maintain any noticeable bodily injuries as well as the rape. Fourth, people tend to not report rape and sexual assault due to embarrassment, fear, societal attitude towards victims, etc. Fifth, there are very few incidences when victims were found lying about being raped. Sixth, victim statistics reveals that the overpowering majority of sexual attacks are committed against the female gender. In other words, males are mostly the sexual assaulters. Lastly, the incidences of rape are instantaneously reported by an individual to a friend, relative, parent, or sibling suggesting that most people do not waste time in reporting about the unfortunate happening (Flowers, 2003).
Social, Cultural, and Psychological Factors
There are a number of social, cultural, and psychological factors that perpetuate rape. As already mentioned, males are mostly the perpetuators whereas women are mostly the victims in violent sex offenses. However, it is important to mention here that in several cases, females were also found as the molesters of males, females, and children. There are more male sexual abusers than female sexual assaulters because the feminine characteristics are mostly stereotyped to be submissive, passive, and physically and emotionally weak that makes them vulnerable to rape.
Sociologists consider rape as a learned individual behavior that often originates from child sexual abuse and domestic violence. It is not an untold secret that societies all over the world demonstrate a power imbalance between males and females. It is one of the major reasons behind the high rape incidences. It is expected of the women to behave as subordinates to men. As a consequence, rape can be viewed as a rational expansion of the usual men-women interactions under the mentioned expectation. Men perceive women as sex commodities and rapists fulfill their sexual and psychological yearnings by molesting women. As already mentioned, alcohol plays a major role in sexual violence as “men misperceive women’s sexual intent and that the use of alcohol by either party worsens these misperceptions” (Ottens, 2001). There is an amalgamation of sadism, aggression, and domination in a rapist’s personality that motivates him/her to assault the victim. Other factors that may perpetuate rape include hostile development as a child, parental seduction, cruelty, and negligence, domestic violence, etc. Rape is also a consequence of defense against feelings of incompleteness, dependency, and homosexual desires. Rapists have problems having compassion for the victims, indistinct values, and abnormal sexual preferences. Thus, men who sexually abuse children or assault women do not possess the essential skills to fulfill their desires in more socially acceptable ways.
Acquaintance/Date Rape
There are many forms of rape including stranger and non-stranger rape. However, there is another kind of rape that occurs when an acquainted individual turns out to forcibly use coercion (alcohol/drugs), aggression, or threats to fulfill his/her sexual desires by unwanted sexual intercourse. This kind of a sexual offense is commonly regarded as acquaintance or date rape that usually occurs in a dating relationship. It is unfortunate that the rate of acquaintance rape is very high in contemporary times. Acquaintance rape is presently highlighted as one of the worst societal problems in Western World. It is exceedingly important to note here that males also fall victim to date rape and females are not the only ones who go through the distressful experience of being raped by a near one. Date rape is considered a crime as it does not involve the consent of the other partner. The assaulter victimized by slipping drugs into his/her partner’s drink to make sexual intercourse easier. Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine are some common drugs that are used by sexual assaulters to victimize the other person and forcibly involve him/her in anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex (Flowers, 2003).
How to Prevent Acquaintance/Date Rape
It is important to be cautious of one’s surroundings when one is out with an acquaintance or date to avoid any unfortunate rape incident. Some of the measures include non-acceptance of drinks from a casual acquaintance, non-acceptance of drinks purchased by others including friends, drinking bottled drinks, opening drinks with one’s own hands (or watching the person opening them), and never leaving drinks unattended. It is also important to keep in contact with a trusted friend so that he/she may help in time of need. It is also a high time to educate youngsters about the causes, consequences, and prevention strategies of date rape at the school level.
References
Flowers, R. B. (2003). Male Crime and Deviance Exploring Its Causes, Dynamics, and Nature.. Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD.
Ottens, A. J. (2001). Sexual Violence on Campus: Policies, Programs, and Perspectives. New York: Springer.
Pollock, J. M., & Klotter, J. C. (2009).Criminal Law (9th ed.). Newark, NJ: LexisNexis, Anderson Pub..
