Date Rape

Date Rape

When people hear the word "rape" they might imagine a stranger leaping

out from the shadows of a dark alley and attacking someone. Although this is

partly true, most rapes are committed by people who know their victims. When

intercourse is unwanted and forced upon by someone you know, it is known as “

date rape.” It occurs daily and is prevalent on virtually all college campuses

across the nation and in cities all over the world.

Date rape generally occurs when a man is alone with a woman. Although it

has been reported that men have been raped by women, it is much more common for

a woman to be raped by a man. There are several reasons why date rape might

occur. Sometimes a man thinks that a woman “owes” him something if he has taken

her out for dinner and a movie or if a woman acts in a friendly manner towards

him. The presence of drugs and alcohol are also a contributing factor to the

occurrence of date rape.

An example of date rape that occurs commonly, especially within a

college campus, is when both the man and women are drunk. In an environment such

as a college or university, parties are commonplace for students. It is a place

where friends can gather, listen to loud music, and get loaded. Typically, a man

will coerce a woman back to his apartment or dorm. This is dangerous for both

parties. The man may think that the woman is leading him on, that if she agrees

to go with him that it is an invitation to have sex. If the fe...