Defining rape
Rape is one of the most critical offences that have occurred throughout the history of crime. Currently, myriad definitions are provided in an attempt to explain what rape is. However, among the widely accepted definitions is the one by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. According to the agency, rape occurs when penetration of another person, irrespective of the extent, of body openings, takes place using an object or body organs such as fingers or oral penetration using a sexual organ in absence of the victim’s assent (FBI, 2013).
The dynamics of rape
Bondurant (2001) reported that several types of rape take place in the modern day world. These include vaginal, anal, and oral rapes. In any given year in the US, approximately 393,800 people experience an event that fits within the definition of rape as given by the FBI. Out of this population, 92,700 are men while the rest are women meaning that females are more vulnerable (FBI, 2013). According to Furby, Fischhoff, and Morgan (2004), between 17% and 24% of American women and 3% of the men population experience a rape incidence at least once during their lifetime. However, college men and women are mostly affected. In a survey conducted by Tjaden and Thoennes (2000), it was reported that 20% of females and 15% of male students in higher education facilities are sexually assaulted while at school.
Tjaden and Thoennes (2000) also sought to determine who the perpetrators of rape are. They found out that most rapes, especially where adults are targeted, are carried out by someone well known to the victims. Among the frequent perpetrators, there are partners, husbands, and dates.
The FBI (2013) contributed to the topic on the dynamics of rape by profiling the risk factors for rape. One of the risk factors is the female gender. According to the agency, 87% of the rape survivors are often women (FBI, 2013). The second factor is young age. It was reported in the survey that at least 54% of rapes occur on victims below the age of eighteen years, with 22% taking place before the victims reach 12 years (FBI, 2013).
A further risk factor is ethnic minority or race. It was noted that Alaskan Native and American Indian women are at high risk of being raped (Bondurant, 2001). However, at 19% and 18% respectively, African American and Caucasian females are also at a considerable risk of becoming rape victims (Bondurant, 2001). Prior rape or sexual assault is also a risk factor. As Tjaden and Thoennes (2000) claimed, females who have been raped or sexually abused prior to reaching the majority age are twice likely to be raped when they attain adulthood.
Social Cultural factors
A set of cultural and social factors that contribute significantly to the rape incidence exists. One of these is overall objectification of women. In most cultures, the intellectual and personal capacities of women are often disregarded. Additionally, their role and worth is reduced to that of an object for satisfying sexual needs. Sexual objectification also occurs in media in which women are depicted as submissive. Such a factor is likely to accelerate the potential for increased rape incidence.
Pornography is also a social factor that contributes towards the occurrence of rape offences. The social issue has come into being due to technological advent such as the Internet. Viewing of pornography exposes the watcher to unhealthy sexual behaviors and ideas about relationship. According to Bondurant (2001), access to violent pornographic materials leads to a person developing attitudes that are supportive of sexual coercion. In addition, such exposure increases the chance of the viewer perpetrating sexual assault.
Personal/psychological factors
According to Groth (2001), anger is a potential cause of rape. The scholar explained further stating that some men tend to assault women sexually as a way of expressing their inbuilt anger (Groth, 2001). Moreover, Groth (2001) claimed that rape is indeed a pseudo-sexual event. As such, it represents a sexual behavioral tendency centered more on control, hostility, dominance and status as opposed to sexual satisfaction, or sexual pleasure. Indeed, it is due to anger that most rape perpetrators use unnecessary amounts of force.
Preventing rape
As an offence, rape can be prevented with the appropriate measures. However, given that there are various forms of rapes, it requires different preventive strategies. Furby, Fischhoff and Morgan (2004) addressed the case of date rape. The scholar indicated that a date involves parties taking drinks, whether alcoholic or not (Furby, Fischhoff & Morgan, 2004). Where one party is motivated to perpetrate rape, he/she is likely to put drugs such as GHB into the other’s drink. As a result, the victim’s ability to control him/herself is eroded such that even if rape occurs, one cannot call for help. Therefore, it is highly advisable that close handling of one’s drink is adhered. Aside from this, a person should not leave his/her drink unattended. Rather, one should leave it under a trusted watchful eye.
Acquaintance also exists as a commonly reported form of sexual assault. To prevent its occurrence, one of the core steps is to ensure honesty. A person should communicate about what he/she wants honestly, respectfully and with an assertion. Besides, a person ought to trust his/her instincts. As such, one should be increasingly aware of situations and moment when he or she does not feel in charge or relaxed. Additionally, a person should make decisions by his/her own. For instance, a person should decide in advance that in case of any suggestive interaction, the friendship should be cut off before it leads into unwanted situations such as rape.
References
Bondurant, B. (2001). University Women’s Acknowledgment of Rape Individual, Situational, and Social Factors. Violence Against Women, 7(3), 294-314.
FBI. (2013). Frequently Asked Questions about the Change in the UCR Definition of Rape.
Furby, L., Fischhoff, B., & Morgan, M. (2004). Preventing rape: How people perceive the options for assault prevention. The victimology research handbook, 12(3), 227-259.
Groth, N. (2001). Men Who Rape: Psychodynamics of rape. New York, NY: Plenum Press.
Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Prevalence and consequences of male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence as measured by the National Violence against Women Survey. Violence against women, 6(2), 142-161.