Rape as a Social Problem

ABSTRACT

There There is no univer universal sal,, consta constant nt,, or absolu absolute te defini definitio tion n of what what consti constitut tutes es a social social  problem. Rather, social problems are defined by a combination of objective and subjective criteria that vary across societies, among individuals and groups within a society, and across historical time periods. Although social problems take many forms, they all share two important elements: an objective social condition and a subjective interpretation of that social condition. Rape occurs in all societies of the world, within the home or in the wider community and it affects women and girls disproportionately, some men as well. Rape is a pervasive form of gender-based violence and also a social problem within the community and the society. This work is to eamine rape as a social problem. To in!uire in!uire the types, causes, effect of it to the environment and also a solution to this act.

FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES ON RAPE

Although the proper definition of "rape# is itself a matter of some dispute, rape is generally understood to involve seual penetration of a person by force and$or without that person%s consent. Rape is committed overwhelmingly by men and boys, usually against women and girls, and sometimes against other men and boys. &'or the most part, this entry will assume male perpetrators and female victims.( 'eminist eplanations locate the cause of this crime within society. They suggest that the crime of rape and seual assault is a crime of power. Rape and seual assault is an abuse of power, which: •

is a result of une!ual power between perpetrator and victim)

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reinforces the ine!uality of power in this relationship) and

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reinforces the ine!uality of power between men and women.

'eminist theory focuses on the wider picture of women living in a society which is dominated by men. Rape and seual assault is seen as one of the ways in which men enact their dominance in a violent way over women, children and other men. *t rejects ideas that rape results from seual attraction or from the way victims$survivors dress or   behave. +irtually all feminists agree that rape is a grave wrong, one too often ignored, mischaracteried, and legitimied. 'eminists differ, however, about how the crime of rape is best understood, and about how rape should be combated both legally and socially. hen looking at our society, and indeed, globally, men are in the most powerful positions in social, political, legal, economic, military and religious institutions. The dominance of  men leads to patriarchal societies in which men make the rules and the laws. These rules and laws are structured in ways that uphold the status !uo and thus the powerful positions

of men. As a result, there is systemic and structural discrimination of women and other  vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. These ine!ualities lead to increased vulnerability and negative social, economic and health outcomes for marginalised and disadvantaged groups. *n regards to rape and seual assault, this means increased vulnerability to become a victim$survivor of rape or seual assault and to disadvantages when dealing with health, legal and other social systems. INTRODUCTION

ost rapists are known by those they attack and they are often the victim#s father,  partner, neighbour, a date or some other household figure. Rape is considered a crime against a person. *n some societies, like *ndia, the rape of a girl is thought to bring shame on her family. The family may consider marrying the girls to her rapist as the only way to recover her honour. *n some cases, the girl is condemned to prostitution &'eming, /000(. eanwhile generally, rape leads to depression and healthy mental disorder . Rape is a crime of forcing a woman to submit to seual intercourse against her will. *t is a violent, terrifying and humiliating assault. Rape happens to all ages, educational levels, religions, seual orientations and physical descriptions. +ictims of rape range from a few months old to their 01s &2opulation Reference 3ureau, 4111(.

Religious beliefs and education have no influence on a

woman#s vulnerability. The elderly, mentally and physically disabled are often victimied  because they are seen helpless. Rape is an act of power, anger and dominance over  another because they are seen helpless. 5e is a weapon used to gain control. Rape not only violates a woman#s integrity, but also her sense of safety and control over her life, too. Rapists do not care about the victim#s well-being or her feelings. 6ven if the victim is sick or pregnant, the rapist does not think rationally during the attack. 7e does not see the victim as a human being but just as an object to dominate.

Rape is a key component of social problems. 3y subjecting the women to rape and without a social structure that endeavors to stop this practice, the women could be made to believe that they are actually inferior to their counterparts and that they deserve the abuse. This can affect their self-image and perception of men in general. 3unch &/008:9/( reported that violence against women and girls is the most pervasive violation of human rights in the world. According to the 'ederal inistry of 7ealth &411/(, very few studies have been carried out on rape against women in igeria. *n politically unsettled lands, wartime rape and other forms of gender-based violence remain a constant threat. *n these places, rape has been used as an instrument of war to humiliate the enemy. Rape can affect the productivity of women. A raped girl can be sick, hospitalied and be unable to go to school or work for days. 5he can become  pregnant without anybody to take care of her and the pregnancy. 7er academic career  can be ruined and if she is a working class type, she may not be able to cope effectively with her e!uals. TYPES OF RAPE

The types of rapes are as follow) •

Anger rape: this type of rape epresses hatred towards the victim and rage. This

type of rapist wants the person to feel and understand his anger towards them, even though they may have not been the one to provoke the rage they need to take •

it out on someone and make them suffer as he has for past wrongs and rejections. Power rape: this type of rape wants to epress power and domination over the victim. These rapists have a common fantasy of women who want them and resist there come-ons and then consent to se. 5o when the fantasy is acted out and the victim doesn#t cooperate the fantasy becomes more about the domination or taking control over that person. *n this way he is showing how very powerful, masculine, and seually ade!uate he really is.

Sadisti rape: this rapist is obsessed with the ritual that goes along with the se.

This could be making the victim act out a part in some sort of role-play, it could involve mutilation, or torture as a means of getting the rapist ecited. These rapists are the ones that wake women out of a dead sleep, scared to death for their lives. Stranger rape: are rapes enacted by someone that is unknown to you. A!"aintane rape: are rapes by someone that you know. This is where date rape falls into play. Marita# rape: is the rape of your spouse. *t was once thought that once you consented to a marriage that you were obligated to serve your husband in any way he saw fit and this meant seually. 3ut since the early eighties we have been  passing laws state by state to try and change is control a man has over the seually activity in the marriage. $ang rape: occur when a group of people participate in the rape a single victim. CAUSES OF RAPE

Rape and other forms of seual aggression are a sad reality in our society. ost seually violent acts are committed by one person, but the act itself may be influenced by many. The following are the causes of this social problem that has caused some lives short and destroy them which are) •

Peer $ro"p In%#"ene: 5eual aggression is a behavior that has been linked to

 peer association. 'or instance, high school students who associate with violent teens are more likely to engage in violence than those whose friends are nonviolent people. ;ikewise, seual aggression may be heavily influenced by the •

attitudes of peers. Indeent Dressing: indecent dressing of females can encourage and as well cause

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seually aggression and rape. A#o&o# and Dr"g Dependene: +arious drugs are used to facilitate rape. Alcohol is by far the most fre!uently used. Alcohol impairs inhibitions, judgment and decision-making.

Une!"a# Power Re#ations: is a relationship in which some have the power to

control others# actions because of their inferiority comple. 'ea#o"s(: is a comple emotion that encompasses many different kinds of feelings that range from fear abandonment. EFFECTS OF RAPE

The effects and aftermath of rape can include both eaths associated with rape are known to occur, though the  prevalence of fatalities varies considerably across the world. 'or rape victims the more common conse!uences of seual violence are those related to reproductive health, mental health, and social wellbeing. PSYC)O*O$ICA* TRAUMA: 'or psychological trauma, this constitutes mental

effects and emotional effects. 3elow are some of the common mental effects and emotional effects of rape) •

PTSD+ 2ost-traumatic stress disorder &2T5>( is a mental health condition that is

triggered by a terrifying event. 5ome common symptoms associated with 2T5> are flashbacks, nightmares, severe aniety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. •

Depression+ >epression is more than common feelings of temporary sadness.

5ymptoms can include prolonged sadness, feelings of hopelessness, uneplained crying, changes in appetite with significant weight loss or gain, loss of energy or  loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed. •

Dissoiation+ >issociation usually refers to feeling like one has = &4(: L41L49. @%Toole, ;aura ;., ed. &/008(. Gender #iolence $ interdisci%linary %ers%ecti#es. ew

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?ork Nu.a.O: ew ?ork Jniv. 2ress. p. 4LF. *53 1I/98I19/F. 5wartout, H. . &41/4(. The company they keep: 7ow peer networks influence male seual aggression. &sychology of 'iolence(