Rape Essay

Sexual violence, also known as molestation, is the undesired enforcement of sexual behavior on one person by another person. Women are most known for being associated with sexual violence for a long time (Beneke, 2005). A very fast growing form of sexual violence is rape (Beneke, 2005). Rape is the act of intercourse that is forced upon a woman by means of violence. Rape is such a rapid growing form. It is said that if the current act of rape continues, around one in four women will be sexually molested in her lifetime (Beneke, 2005).
Rape can have many harmful factors after one has been assaulted. The effects of rape can permanently damage a person. Damage can be both physical and psychologically. Our bodies, when put in stressful situations, exert a lot of energy to help us manage the situation. A traumatic event, such as rape, takes a lot of time for a person to re-adjust (RAINN, 2005). Some common psychological effects of rape consist of some of the following: post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and disassociation (RAINN, 2005). Post-traumatic stress disorder results after a person has been in a terrifying event. Post-traumatic stress can lead to depression. Depression can lead one to believe he or she is worthless and what had happened is the fault of him or her. After depression, one may choose to disassociate themselves from society (RAINN, 2005).
Physical effects and emotional effects of rape can also be very harmful. After one has been raped, their body has gone through a lot. Some effects that can physically be felt are soreness, bruising, or bleeding (RAINN, 2005). In some cases pregnancy can be the result of rape. An estimated 5% of rape cases end with a pregnancy (RAINN, 2005). Sometimes, external physical ef...

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...a woman scarred. Women may not leave for other reasons, such as believing the abuser will change economic hardships, and a sense of shame (Benokraitis, 2012).
Any form of violence, within the family or out of the family is always wrong. Men and women should learn to respect one another physically, mentally, or sexually. One should always be alert, aware, and assertive. For those who have been a victim of sexual violence, there ways to get help. One may go to counseling or be a growing part of different programs that focus on different forms of violence, such as: marital rape, rape, and family (domestic violence). Some programs that will help a victim of rape are: Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), Safe Horizon, and Rape Crisis. For issues of family violence, or domestic violence, some programs include: Women in distress, Safe Horizon, or a Hotline.