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The Definition of Rape
Researchers stress that the prevalence of rape culture leads to the increasing rate of this type of sexual assault worldwide. There have been several definitions of rape throughout the centuries. The word originates from the Latin word rapere, which means “to take by force” (as cited in Messina-Dysert, 2015, p. 62). For a long time, rape was defined as an act of sexual assault committed by a man over a woman who is not his wife. Clearly, such definitions were very limited and they cannot be applied in the modern world. Thus, rape can be defined as an act of “vaginal, anal, or oral” penetration of any individual (irrespective of gender, age, social tie, and so on) with any object without this individual’s consent (in Messina-Dysert, 2015, p. 63). Several types of rape exist date rape, spousal rape, acquaintance rape, gang rape, prison rape, war rape, rape by deception, custodial rape, and some others.
The Dynamic of Rape
As far as the dynamic of rape is concerned, it is necessary to note that rape is rooted in the cultural paradigm of the society (James & Gilliland, 2012). For instance, the dominance of males (which is apparent in the vast majority of regions of the world) leads to the development of specific trends that result in rape. Powell and Henry (2014, p. 2) stress that violence against females is “eroticized” in literature, cinematography, and so on. Victims of rape are often regarded as the only ones responsible for the violence as they are thought to provoke men. It is possible to identify social, personal, and psychological factors that contribute to the increased rate of rape.
Social / Cultural Factors
As has been mentioned above, one of the social factors that contribute greatly to the increase in the rate of rape is gender inequality and male dominance. In contemporary society, women are vulnerable due to their financial, political, and social status. One of the major risk factors is the financial insecurity of a female, which often makes the woman vulnerable. Another social factor is the spread of pornography that promotes the victimization of females. It also “reduces women to sex objects” (James & Gilliland, 2012, p. 250). Social disorganization also leads to the spread of rape culture, as there is insufficient social control over people’s behavior (James & Gilliland, 2012). Finally, violence legitimization is another social factor that accounts for the increase in the rate of rape. Violence legitimization occurs mainly due to the influence of the contemporary media that promote violence.
Personal and Psychosocial Factors
Apart from social factors, it is also necessary to consider personal and psychological factors that contribute to the spread of this type of sexual assault. It is possible to identify a number of types of rapists. Thus, some rapists are often aggressive and domineering, as they want to prove they are strong and powerful. They need this since they often feel their weakness and dependence. They tend to blame women for their misfortunes. Another type of rapists is characterized by the lack of the necessary interpersonal skills. In other words, these men simply cannot communicate with females properly due to their being shy or unconfident. There also can be psychological pathologies and males exhibit sadistic patterns. Such males need to feel their victim’s total submission, fear, and so on. Some rapists see females as sex objects and cannot control their sexual urges. Others adopt the rape culture and the idea of male dominance. For such men, rape becomes a way to prove that they are real males. Furthermore, some rapists use rape as a type of punishment and a way to show their dominance and their role. Criminals also commit rape, which is seen as an “bonus” (James & Gilliland, 2012, p. 251). In the case of gang rape, it is regarded as a type of entertainment.
Preventing Different Forms of Rape
Unfortunately, anyone can become a victim of rape. However, several prevention techniques exist. Of course, there are healthcare, educational, and community-based efforts to reduce the rate of rape. There are various programs that encourage people to be more thoughtful and resist the rape culture.
At the same time, there are various individual techniques that can help people prevent rape. For instance, when it comes to date rape (which is a form of acquaintance rape, one of the most common types of rape), females should be cautious. Maier (2014) provides various ways to keep safe. Thus, girls should pay attention to nonverbal cues (including the way they are dressed, the way they and their date behave). They should be confident and make it clear that there will be no sex, they will not go to their date’s apartment and will try to remain in a public place (it can be a good idea to call a friend who could come and accompany the girl). They should avoid excessive use of alcohol or the use of drugs. Notably, the same techniques can be used to prevent acquaintance rape as well. It is essential to be confident and attentive and identify risky behaviors.
As for gang rape, girls should not be alone or with their female friends in dangerous neighborhoods, especially at nighttime. When visiting such areas, it is important to pay attention to one’s clothes and behavior. Of course, girls should resort to escaping and calling the police if they are at risk of becoming a victim of such type of sexual assault.
Reference List
James, R., & Gilliland, B. (2012). Crisis intervention strategies. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Maier, S.L. (2014). Rape, victims, and investigations: Experiences and perceptions of law enforcement officers responding to reported rapes. New York, NY: Routledge.
Messina-Dysert, G. (2015). Rape culture and spiritual violence: Religion, testimony, and visions of healing. New York, NY: Routledge.
Powell, A., & Henry, N. (2014). Framing sexual violence prevention: What does it mean to challenge a rape culture. In N. Henry & A. Powell (Eds.), Preventing sexual violence: Interdisciplinary approaches to overcoming a rape culture (pp. 1-22). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
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