Rape is a serious problem with increasing occurrences. It is defined as “forcible sexual intercourse with a person who does not give consent” (Santrock, 2012). However, the legal definition of rape differ from state to state (Santrock, 2012). According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, RAINN, as of 2014 there are an average of 237,868 victims of rape and sexual assault each year (RAINN, 2014). With 525,600 minutes in a year, someone gets raped every 2 minutes. These numbers are astounding! However, they are greatly underrepresented because 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Rape or sexual assault can occur to anyone including women, children, and men, gay or straight.
RAPE AMONGST FEMALES
Rape is a very traumatic experience for the victims. One in six American females will suffer from sexual assault or rape (RAINN, 2014). Females, along with males usually suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, pregnancy and many more (RAINN, 2003). In addition, victims “may suffer from adverse emotional consequences including feelings of ongoing fear, low-self esteem, self-blame, guilt and shock” (Branch et. all, 2013). Moreover, the largest group people diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder are survivors of sexual assault (Reid-Cunningham, 2009).
Even more shocking is the statistic that “15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12; 29% are age 12-17; 44% are under age 18” and 80% are under age 30 (USDOJ). The ages 12-34 are the highest risk years (USDOJ). Furthermore, violence between intimate partners causes U.S. women to collectively lose about $727 million in wages from about 8 million days missed of work (“Facts about Violence”). While violence in w...
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... October 10). Against his will: Female-on-male rape. CNN. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/living/chris-brown-female-on-male-rape/
Male Survivors - Rape and Sexual Abuse Survivors Message Board and Chat Room. (n.d.). Male Survivors - Rape and Sexual Abuse Survivors Message Board and Chat Room. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from http://www.aftersilence.org/male-survivors.php
Reid-Cunningham, A. R. (2009). Parent--Child Relationship And Mother's Sexual Assault History. Violence Against Women,15(8), 920-932.
Santrock, J. W. (2002). A topical approach to life-span development. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
USDOJ: Office on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). USDOJ: Office on Violence Against Women. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/
Understanding the Perpetrator. (n.d.).Welcome. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://sapac.umich.edu/article/196
In what is sure to be a very solemn matter for all American students and their families across the country , in January 2013 , President Obama, the office of the Vice President and the White House Council on Women and Girls converged and issued a renewed call to action against rape and sexual assault report which analyzes the most recent reliable data about this issue and identifies who are the most in peril victims of this malefaction, investigates the costs of this violence both for victims and communities , and describes the replication very often inadequate of the US malefactor equity system.
“Every 107 seconds, an American victim was sexually assaulted and 68% of sexual assaults aren’t even reported to the police” (Statistic/RAINN). Rape is a crime that is overlooked throughout the world. Some are even shocked when they realize the full existence of what all is considered as rape. According to my human sexuality power points 63% of all instances of sexual victimization are perpetrated by dates, lovers, or husbands. I always viewed it as a stranger in a dark alley snatching you up and forcing themselves on top of you, but majority cases aren’t even displayed in that scenario. This could be the main reason why rape is overlooked and the highest unreported crime in the world, because the victim wasn’t even aware of what their love
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 is not just an action against an individual, but a violent crime that can scar a life
Smith, P. H., Thornton, G. E., DeVellis, R., Earp, J., & Coker, A. L. (2002). A population-based study of the prevalence and distinctiveness of battering, physical assault, and sexual assault in intimate relationships. Violence Against Women, 8, 1208-1232.
There are many problems rapes could cause besides the ones highlighted already. 35% of men report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A few more would include anxiety, depression, fearfulness, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The thoughts of future occurrences would consume their thoughts as the use excessive precaution that could have a little effect would be taken. The Withdrawal from relationships or friendships and an increased sense of isolation as well as avoiding people or places that are related to the assault or abuse. Despite being the least disclosed crime, it cost the U.S annually more than any other crime.
Sexual assault is defined as a type of behaviour that occurs without explicit consent from the recipient and under sexual assault come various categories such as sexual activities as forces sexual intercourse, incest, fondling, attempted rape and more (Justice.gov. 2017). People often become victims of sexual assault by someone they know and trust (Mason & Lodrick, 2013) which is conflicting to the public’s perception and beliefs that offenders are strangers. Women are the main victims for sexual assault and are 5 times more likely to have been a victim of sexual assault from a male (Wright, 2017, p. 93). Men are victims of sexual assault however only 0.7% of men, compared to 3.2% of women, experience some form of sexual assault which highlights how vulnerable women are compared to men. Sexual assault is publicised and exposed in the media, however is often
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.
Sexual assault is a problem that affects many students in colleges. Sexual assault is defined as “any unwanted contact” (6) performed on “an unwilling victim, without consent” (2). This means anything from touching to completed rape. Without consent means that “vigorous efforts were made to avoid sexual contact” (2). Physical symptoms of sexual assault can tamper with the victim’s quality of life. It can be pelvic pain, migraines, and even disability that can prevent a victim from working. There are over 32,000 pregnancies a year that are a result of completed rape, but problems with pregnancy can also be a result of sexual assault. In addition to these effects, women who experience this assault are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases (2).
Rape can happen to anyone. Women from different cultures, races, ages, and economic level are all vulnerable. It does not matter who you are or where you live, although women of lowest status are most vulnerable to rape, and so are Hispanic and African American women. (An...
Sexual assault is an offense that plagues many U.S. citizens. Although some studies show that rape is on the decline, other studies report that the phenomena actually occuring is that less rape victims are reporting the crime. In fact, approximately 68% of sexual assaults go unreported to the police according to the U.S. Department of Justice in a National Crime Victimization Survey from 2008-2012. It is common knowledge that rape victims are usually severely traumatized after the event, which leaves them susceptible to various emotions such as shame, anxiety, numbness, fear, denial, and guilt. Because of this, many rape victims decide to repress their experience and let it go unheard. However, not only does this prevent them from healing emotionally,
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue effecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003). More than one in three women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012). Thirty to sixty percent of perpetrators tend to also abuse children in the household (Edelson, 1999). Witnessing violence between parents or caretakers is considered the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next (Break the Cycle, 2006).
Statistics . (n.d.). Statistics | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://www.rainn.org/statistics?gclid=CJT7sb3b8L0CFY0-MgodBz0Avg
...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.