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Social-Psychological Theory of rape
Social-Psychological Theory of rape
Rape victims case study
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The aim of the current paper is to discuss rape myths members of the general public hold about victims of rape. Also in this paper the difference between male and female victims of rape will be discussed, the problems they have to deal with when reporting their rape and how this has consequences for their psychological wellbeing due to preconceptions of their role as a victim otherwise known as ‘rape myths’. Moreover, the present paper will present a textbook definition of rape and also the preconceived ideas about rape ‘rape myths’. Additionally, statistical rates will be stated in order to show the importance of the public awareness of the damaging impact of such beliefs. The findings from recent research studies will be also discussed to …show more content…
Rape cases can be identified as one of the most challenging type of crime. This is so, partially because it might be difficult and almost impossible to obtain physical evidence, moreover, we have not found an accurate way of measuring and reporting the extent of psychological damage caused by rape and other violent crimes. Individuals have their own preconceived ideas, thoughts and feelings about rape and rape victims which has been coined as the term rape myths. One of the main contributions to the conception of rape myths is the fact that it is difficult to identify rape victims, due to lack of early reporting. As a result of this the courts are unable to identify perpetrators due circumstantial evidence not being available at the time of reporting. In turn the courts are then unable to gather enough evidence to persecute perpetrators. The aim of the present paper is to cover rape myths and its impact on victims of rape. First of all, it is important to state the legal definition of rape. The Sexual Offences Act (2003) provided a definition of rape, which …show more content…
Furthermore it states the male sexual organ which also is gender specific, this further feeds the preconception that males are always perpetrators and females are always victims. This may also have ramifications for male rape victims’ psychological well-being as they may feel that nobody will believe them or that they will be ridiculed when reporting rape.
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The findings from previous years statistically show that around two and half per cent of female and almost half of one percent of male rape victims reported that they have been raped or there were additional attempts for victims to be raped in the past year (Ministry of Justice, Home Office & the Office for National Statistics, 2013). Consequently, nearly 475,000 people become victims of sexual abuse each year. Such high rates of the rape victims, makes it a very important and valuable aspect to be discussed and, furthermore, understood.
It is important to understand the reason why people hold wrong beliefs and its impact on victims, without taking into account the gender aspect of the victim and perpetrator. However, it is also vital to further distinguish whether there is difference between female and male rape myths. This section will aim to explain common knowledge about rape
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.
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.
Rape myths are false, biased or cliché convictions about assault, assault casualties and attackers which may have the impact of preventing many examples from claiming constrained sex are really assault. To get a better understanding of rape myths, one should first comprehend the lawful meaning of Rape. The Sexual Offenses Act (2003) has given a definition of Rape, which is:
Rape until 2012 was defined as “The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.” It was severely lacking was only updated by the Federal Bureau of Instigation in 2012. It left out an entire section of rape that can be committed which is man being the rape victim. This lead to misclassification of rape of males for years. So even the statistics used till 2014 were underwhelming and inaccurate when it was related to male rape or sexual assault. Rape in the United States is now defined by the Department of Justice as “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” Male Rape or men being the sexual assault victims are rarely ever the subject of a dialogue when Sexual Assault is the topic being discussed because rape is generally seen as a heterosexual highly sexed male attack on vulnerable, attractively dressed female victim. Most rapists have alternative outlets for sexual gratification, many take little notice of their victim 's physical attributes, and some may experience sexual dysfunction during the assault.
It is not a topic that is brought up often, especially at schools or at gatherings, yet it is crucial that everyone be educated, or at least informed on a topic that affects women every day. “Given that sexual violence continues to occur at high rates in the United States, it is vital that we understand attitudes and cultural norms that serve to minimize or foster tolerance of sexual violence” (Aosved, 481). Growing rates of sexual violence goes to prove that it is not taken seriously by many, especially when myths excuse the actions of the perpetrator and instead guilt victims into thinking they are responsible for the horrible act. Burt (1980), in her article titled, “Cultural myths and support for rape” attempts to make sense of the importance of stereotypes and myths, defined as prejudicial, stereotypes, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists- in creating a climate hostile to rape victims (Burt, 217). Examples of rape myths are such sayings as “only bad girls get raped”; “women ask for it”; “women cry rape” (Burt, 217). This only goes to prove that rape myths against women always blame and make it seem like it is the women’s fault she was raped and that she deserved it for “acting” a certain way. McMahon (2007), in her article titled, “Understanding community-specific rape myths” explains how Lonsway and Fitzgerald (1994) later described rape myths as “attitudes and beliefs that are generally
Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “it would do some women good to get raped,” from a historical perspective, lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Women are still seen as the property of men, are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men are usually more aggressive, and women are seen as passive. (Vogelman) This socialization process is changing, but slowly.
Women are more likely to be victims of rape or sexual violence than men. Seventy-eight percent of victims of women and twenty-two percent are men. Women who are raped before the age of eighteen are twice as likely to be raped again as adults. Victims are at greater risk of rape or sexual assault while intoxicated. ("Sexual Violence: Fact Sh...
There are many reasons why men or women rape. Socioeconomic, sexual abuse as a young child, power, and anger to name a few are reasons to why peopl...
Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “women secretly enjoy rape,” from a historical perspective, can lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Much stems back to the idea that women are still seen as the property of men, and are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men a...
The myths of women and men being raped can have an impact in the way that the police respond to victims. (Page 2008, p Near back of journal titled victim credibility) found that the polices attitude to rape depended upon the victim. For example, a prostitute was 44% unlikely to be believed to be raped. However, the myth that a prostitute cannot be raped due to her or him having sexual intercourse for money every day does not give the excuse of allowing a person to have sexual intercourse with the prostitute when they have clearly said no. When an individual says no, it means no.
Another issue that is raised in modern research is the treatment of rape victims throughout the court procedures. Upon many occasions it has been evident that the defence target the victim and through the use of positivist ideologies such as victim precipitation and victim proneness, blame the victim for the
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.
Misconceptions regarding rape myths can impact how people view the victim and how blame is assigned in rape cases. These misconceptions, found by a specialist on violence against women, “are often called ‘rape myths,’ because they are powerful stereotypes that can have a profound impact on perceptions of rape and the treatment of victims/survivors and offenders both within and
The research literature embedded in this paper focused on both issues on rape, framing and the media. Throughout history, cultures around the world have experienced forceful sexual intercourse without the consent of the woman. However, rape is not exclusively a crime committed against women. Anyone can regrettably fall victim of rape or other forms of sexual assault. It can be defined as an unlawful or illicit sexual intercourse or canal knowledge with a woman, girl or lady without her consent (by force, deception or while she is asleep) (legal dictionary 2014).
With particular focus on female, adult victims, it be argued that the news present particular victims of sexual assault of somehow responsibly for their victimization by focusing on their victims. For instance, if the victim had been acting outside the norms of behavior deemed expectable for women, she is often seen to have provoked and encouraged her attack. For Instance, Meyers (1997) suggest within news reports on sexual violence the description of actions often aims to represent female victims as “responsible of her own suffering because she was on drugs, drunk, not properly cautious, stupid, engaged in questionable activities or involved in work or exhibiting behaviour outside the traditional role of women” (Meyers, 1997, p.60). Additionally, Benedict (1992) highlights that traditional women have been represented as either within news reports on sexual violence, adult, female victims are represented as either the ‘Vamp’ or ‘Virgin’. The ‘Vamp’ represented as a woman who is blameworthy of her attack because of her looks, actions and behaviour which drove the man to attack her, whereas the ‘Virgin’ is portrayed as an blameless women whom has had her innocence brutally taken from her by a perverted man (Benedict, 1992).