While sexual violence is the underlying issue that results in rape, there is no single concrete definition stating what it is exactly. This might be because of widespread societal disagreements on the different levels of what we consider sexual violence and it may vary from one society to another or may change over historical periods of time. What might not have been considered as sexual violence in earlier years might be today. Therefore, the issue will be examined in greater depth where multiple definitions will be revealed. The causes and consequences of sexual violence will be discussed as well as what can be done to prevent it and how society should deal with individual’s who engage in such deviant crimes. Let’s begin with a generally …show more content…
The major cause for sexual violence is for dominance and power of one over another. Curra mentions the elements of manipulation, power, control, anger, and sadism fusing together into a vicious sexual doing (pp. 210). Men have always been the stronger ones in the relationship and sexual inequalities create power differences where “rape can be used as a form of social control transforming females into powerless victims with no capacity to stop what is being done to them and may be a way to punish a perceived deviant from the important gender norms (pp. 216) and “women being men 's possessions, women living virtuous lives, and women being devalued contributed to the occurrence of sexual violence” (223). Sexual violence is used as a measure to ensure one’s power dominance over other men and women (pp.217). At a time of war, it going to great lengths calling for desperate measures and rape was used as a defense mechanism to demoralize and humiliate the opposing force (pp. 217-219). Furthermore, rape was used as a biological weapon (pp. 221) to eventually eliminate the adversary because the women of the flip-side were carrying the babies of the other side which would eventually purify everyone to be on the same side. Sexual violence can also be rooted from social and cultural factors (pp. 223) where some cultures consider and contribute to the equality of all genders (i.e., males, females, gays, lesbians, transgender, straights, bisexuals, and pansexual) (pp.227). On the social side, there are many influencing factors that add to the causes of sexual violence occurring. For example, fraternities create an aggressive environment between the males who look for pride (pp. 225). Another social factor has been modern technology allowing easier access for the perpetrator to snatch their victim
Rape is a virus that infects every nation, culture and society. It is constantly referred to as “the unfinished murder”, because of the deep state of despair the rapist leaves the victim in. There is no common identifiable trend that determines who will be a rape victim. Women are not assaulted because of their attitudes or actions, they are attacked simply because they are present. With rapists, just as with their victims, there is no identifiable trend. The old myth that only “sick, dirty, old, perverted men” commit rapes is a lie that society tells itself in order to sleep better at night. The startling truth is that most rapists work under a veil of normalcy. In order for the percentage of rapes to decrease, we have to change our ideas about rape and let go of the old myths of the past. And until this happens, rape will continue to plague our world at large.
Kelly, Liz (1987) “The Continuum of Sexual Violence.” In: Women, Violence and Social Control, edited by J. Hanmer and M. Maynard. Atlantic Highlands: Humanities Press International: 46-60.
Sexual assault is the act of sexual intercourse without consent of the other person according to the New South Wales Consolidation Act of 1900 (Austlii 2011) and is also described by the Australian Standard Offence Classification as ‘non-consensual’ acts or intents of sexual nature (ASOC 2008, p. 31). It has become one of the most predominate crimes creating social harm in Australia. Social harm is defined as the negative influence through consequences impacting the individual on the living conditions of the surrounding public (Cain & Howe 2008, p. 26). Sexual assault poses a social threat to all aspects of the community, spreading insecurity in the 9000 victims across Australia and 1900 victims in NSW alone as indicated in the Australian Bureau of Statistics Crime Victimisation Report (ABS 2011, p. 40). This is supported by the victimization rate of all sexually assaulted victims between ages 10 to 14 being 4 times greater than all the other age groups (ABS 2010).
In order to deal with the occurrence of sexual assault in our society, we must examine its causes more deeply. We must understand the sociology of sexualized violence in order to effectively explain its groups and individual dynamics.
According to RAINN, (2009) approximately 10 per cent of all victims of sexual assault and abuse are adult and juvenile males. In terms of the nature of assault, real figures include a compendium of reported incidents ranging from unwanted sexual touching to forced penetration. To qualify this statement, it must be understood that the percentage does not reflect a vast number of crimes that go unreported due to issues that will be discussed in the present paper.
Sexual assault of men in history is recognized as a means of humiliating opponents by conquering soldiers especially the Romans. It was used as a feature of sexual torture or aggression. Rape, in this case, is motivated by a wish to dominate and degrade the victim. Man on man rape is usually discussed when the incarceration is the topic due to social media and movies. Although nearly two-thirds of the male jail inmates who had been victimized, said the staff perpetrator was female nevertheless that one-third of rape is still a cause for concern as anal trauma that occurs in male rap...
To date, “between 10 to 40 percent of female students [. . .] have been raped while [. . .] up to 60 percent of males students [have] commit[ed] actions that meet the legal definition of sexual assault” (Bretz 19). This percentage demonstrates the ineffectiveness of university policies and signifies a drastic change to procedures is in order if educational institutions want to see improvement. In order to see an effective change, policies must “explicitly define key terms such as “‘consent’, ‘force’ [,]‘incapacity’ and cover [a] range of sexually violent behavior” (Gunraj 9). Furthermore, since the age of fourteen 58.7% of females “ha[ve] experienced one or more forms of victimization[. . .] 35.0% ha[ve] experienced at least one completed or attempted rape and 23.5% ha[ve] been raped” (Senn et. al. Results). First-year female students are not prepared for the perpetrators they will face on campus, and as a result, are more vulnerable to sexual violence. Universities need to develop effective policies and procedures to not only prepare women for the challenges they may face but to reduce the overall number of sexual assaults and make school a safer environment for
This research paper is based on individual case study related to “Male Rape Victims.” Male rape is a crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse (LongMan Dictionary, p1169). In general, male rape has occurred as often as every year from the age of twelve and above. Frequently, males and females had common experiences in same situations. An attacker could victimize males as well as females, who can be an attacker, only a small number of rapes or assaults, about twenty percent, are committed by complete strangers (The Rape of Males, p1). The best known locations where rape occurs are at parties, allies, and secretive streets. Nearly everyone, who has consumed alcohol ot taken drugs of any kind has had their sexual hormones increase. The purpose of sexual intercourse is accomplished with a person, not the spouse of the perpetrator. In addition, men and women hackneyed sexual intercourse from pornographic publications. Despite, the pornographic industry's tremendous size and growth, sexually explicit materials continue to engender much political, legal, moral, and scientific debate (Malamuth, et.al, p26). It has beneficial effects of desires for pornography. Conducting a case study will help students determine whether or not their experiences of rape influence their life. Rape can be an impact on medications and health. The effects of rape are mental, physical, and social healths which are strongly influenced on health outcomes. Moreover, it has some affinity with the colloquial notion of "reverse psychology," which is based on the idea that telling people that they may not do something makes them want to do it more (Baumeister, et.al, p6).
This essay will examine Susan Estrich’s and Lois Pineau’s discussion on rape. Both contribute insights on our society’s negligence when it comes to the protection and justice for women. Estrich provides a peak into the legal system on how it determines rape. We will see that the law is shaped in a way that continues to oppress women and leave them unprotected. Pineau furthers the conversation on placing responsibility on the victim to prove the crime. She narrows her focus on date rape and raises an objection to the model of consent that shapes our culture’s attitude and our country’s law. Pineau proposes a communicative model of sex. From this proposal, I will conclude my essay with an objection of her model and will ultimately defend her model against such an objection.
According to a statement addressing the sexual victimization of college women The Crime and Victimization in America states that, “ One out of four women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus.” This disturbing fact has not minimized throughout the years, instead it is continuing to worsen throughout college campuses. Sexual assault is not an act to be taken lightly. Society must stop pinpointing the individuals who commit these crimes one by one, but rather look at the problem as a whole and begin to understand the main cause of sexual assault and possible methods to reduce these acts of sexual coercion.
In “Sex and Violence: A Perspective,” MacKinnon turns her focus to the common definition of rape as a form of violence. The categorizations of rape, sexual harassment, and pornography as forms of violence are problematic in themselves because they do not capture the reality of sex. In fact, much of intercourse is about violence (MacKinnon p. 268), in the way that power and dominance are extremely eroticized, thus to say “rape is violence” is a misnomer. MacKinnon brings one’s attention to the construction of rape, which separates rape from intercourse based on the amount of force applied (p. 268). This definition is especially legitimate in the legal system, which derives solely from a male point of view: it is called rape when there is penetratio...
This paper outlines the consequences of child sexual abuse (CSA) based on the examination of results from multiple researches previously fulfilled concerning the psychological and physical impact of this crime, information of statistics, warning signs detected, victims’ performances, and emotional state. Sexual abuse causes severe trauma on child victims that will last for the course of their lives, therefore it is critical to identify and improve the therapeutic methods utilized to treat CSA survivors.
...apidly our world today. There are hundreds of places people may go and visit for help or more information about rape and sexual violence. It is very important that when and if it happens, the victim needs to report the crime to authorities immediately. People must know the truth about rape and sexual violence and what to do about it.
Webster’s Dictionary describes rape as the crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse. Rape is a crime in which most women cannot defend themselves. The fear of rape plagues every woman at some point or another in her life. The traumatic effects of rape vary from mild to severe, from psychological to physical. This paper will evaluate rape, as well as the effects it has on women, the theory behind male dominance and patriarchy, and differences in demographics.
“Rape and Sexual Violence Are Serious Problems.” Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 2008. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.