Background Overview
Essentially, sexual violence has become one of the most important concerns in the contemporary world. Importantly, this has become a critical concern when it comes to the social welfare of women because they are the most affected. The traditional disregard for women and gender have contributed to the increasing cases of sexual assaults around the world. It cannot be disputed that sexual violence is a result of social, personal, and psychological factors that affect people’s behaviors in society.
According to a report that was released by the Department of Justice in 2013, 176,630 people in the USA are victims of rape and sexual violence (Brown, 2012). Although this population is approximately 0.1 percent of the USA’s population, the number is substantial, especially when dealing with a first-world country. In this light, therefore, this paper seeks to discuss the issue of rape extensively. It will provide a definition of rape, identify its dynamics, and discuss some of the social, cultural, as well as psychological factors that affect rape. In addition, the paper will present some of the possible preventative measures which can be used to inhibit various kinds of rape that including data and acquaintance rapes.
Definition of Rape
Understandably, there are many definitions of rape that essentially differ according to the scope and orientation. However, basically, rape is committing sexual intercourse unlawfully or penetrating the mouth, anus, or vagina of another individual forcefully or otherwise without the permission of the victim. Evidently, the lack or existence of permission is the crucial determinant of whether the intercourse is a rape case or not. In other words, when the sexual intercourse or penetration is done with the consent of the partner, the act is not a rape case. On the contrary, if the intercourse or the penetration is done without the consent of the victim, the act becomes a rape case.
The Dynamic of Rape
The dynamics of rape have been researched and documented in a vast and effective manner. In essence, one of the most crucial concerns relates to the motivational factors of the act. Whereas it has been conceived that craving for sexual satisfaction is the main reason for the prevalence of rape, the truth is essentially very different and surprising. Most cases of rape are caused by the desire to control, humiliate and exercise gender-based power (Baaz, & Stern, 2013). Critically, raping is not a crime that is driven by passion or emotional craving. Instead, it is largely steered by violence, hostility, and sadistic attributes to harm the victim.
The offenders simply seek to terrorize and kill self-esteem as well as the victim’s sense of self. As a result, there is an important lesson the world should learn from this realization. This lesson is based on the fact that rape is not a matter of sexual desire, but a medium that people use to express other emotions such as anger and hostility (Holcomb, 2010). Importantly, also, offenders use rape as a way of reducing sexual anxiety, fighting sexual helplessness, and reassuring their sexual adequacy. As such, it is evident that the critical dynamic of rape revolves around the essence of gender powers and control.
Social and Cultural Factors
Rape is a vast vice that has social and cultural aspects that increases its prevalence in society. One of the most important societal and cultural factors that cause rape is gender superiority. In the contemporary world, male dominance and women’s subservience can be attributed to increasing cases of rape. In addition, lack of gender equity steers the appetite to engage in rape and general sexual violence (Harrington, 2010). Other social factors include substantial tolerance of sexual violence, a high degree of other crimes, and poor clothing behaviors. Importantly, women in the contemporary world are exposing their nakedness to a degree that may prompt the willingness to rape.
Personal Psychological Factors
There are personal and psychological factors that increase the probability of committing this crime and increase its overall prevalence. According to Holcomb (2010), one of the personal factors that steer the vice is found in the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The abuse of drugs and the use of alcohol interferes with sexual and psychological stability. In addition, it increases physical aggressiveness and hostility. The combination of these two aspects leads to the desire for sex and the commitment to rape. Second, experiences related to sexual violence contribute to the likelihood of raping. Some of these experiences include coercive fantasies of sexual visualizations, undertaking impersonal sexual intercourse, and sexual abuse during childhood. Further, violence against the opposite gender, antisocial behaviors, and witnessing family violence leads to rape tendencies.
Prevention of Date, Acquaintance, and Other Kinds of Rape
Whereas there are many ways in which a person can prevent rape, there are general and most acceptable methods. First, it is important to avoid meeting in private places during a date (Osuji, 2012). Publicity reduces the appetite for sexual assault and increases the likelihood of getting help in case it happens. Second, one should avoid overdrinking alcohol when interacting with friends of the opposite sex. Over-drinking increases vulnerability by reducing defensiveness and reasoning. Other preventative actions include wearing more clothes, avoiding risky areas, and reducing night-outs. These methods can be coupled with the mechanism of physical self-defense and wearing special panties which prevent easy rape.
References
Baaz, M., & Stern, M. (2013). Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War. London: Zed Books.
Brown, J. (2012). Handbook on Sexual Violence. London: Routledge.
Harrington, C. (2010). Politicization of Sexual Violence from Abolitionism to Peacekeeping. Farnham: Ashgate Publishers.
Holcomb, W. (2010). Sexual Violence. Toronto: Hogrefe Publishers.
Osuji, C. (2012). International Law and Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts. Leiden: Nijhoff Publishers.