Rape

Michelle Fleishman = RAPE =

The legal definition of rape can vary from state to state, but it can be generally defined as an illegal sexual activity, usually being sexual intercourse, carried out forcibly against the will of another person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent. The victim could be incapable of valid consent because of a certain mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception (lawyers.com, 2011). An FBI Uniform Crime Reportin 2000 found that a rape is reported about once every five minutes (Rape Treatment Center, 2007). Rape can be considered a first-degree sexual assault in some states and is known as the most under-reported violent crime. It may be under-reported due to embarrassment, not wanting any family to know, thinking it is a personal matter, or fearing that the police would think it’s a lie. In most cases, the victim usually knows their attacker, whether it be an acquaintance, best friend, or spouse. Courts are more likely to convict an attacker who is a stranger over an attacker who is an acquaintance or spouse. Although rape can happen to anyone, most victims are women. According to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2003, nine out of ten rape victims were female (RAINN-stats, 2009). Rape is so common among women than one out of every six American women has been a victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime: 14.8% completed and 2.8% attempted. Only one in thirty-three men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (RAINN-stats, 2009).

=**TYPES OF RAPE**= There are many different types of rape: date rape, marital rape, incestual rape, child sexual abuse, and statutory rape. They are all categorized based on the situation in which they occur.

Date Rape
When forced sexual intercourse occurs between two people who already know each other. The two people could just be acquaintances, or could have been intimate prior to the situation. Alcohol and drugs are often involved when it comes to this type of rape. Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and may allow others to be aggressive in a raping situation (Nemours, 2011). Sometimes, "date rape drugs" are can enter the situation. These drugs include rohypnol, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and ketamine. These drugs can be mixed into drinks by the offender in order to make the a victim helpless to the situation (Nemours, 2011).

Marital Rape
Rape can still happen, even between a husband and wife. Marital rape occurs when sexual intercourse is forced upon a spouse without consent and against his or her will. During marital rape, it's not about the love or the passion because there is none. It's about dehumanization and control.

Child Sex Abuse
When an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation in any way. It is highly unreported because:
 * of the difficulty in validating the episode
 * the child is too afraid to tell someone
 * the child is too young to acknowledge that something is wrong

Children are not psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. Any child that is a victim of rape, no matter what age, develop long-term emotional and psychological damage including a low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, and an abnormal view of sex (AACAP, 2011).

Incestual Rape
When forced sexual intercourse occurs between two closely related relatives. Incest, even with consent, is illegal in many jurisdictions today.

Statutory Rape
When non-forcible sexual intercourse occurs with someone who is younger than the statutory age of consent. Laws and punishments vary greatly from state-to-state. All states have an "age of consent" (ex. Illinois' age of consent is 18, as are most states). It is a very controversial issue because of the amount of variables that need to be taken into consideration. The laws can change depending on the circumstances (Sexlaws.org, 2009).

=**EFFECTS OF RAPE ON VICTIMS**= Rape may lead victims to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Because rape can be a horrifying event in an individual’s life, it this disorder includes showing symptoms of helplessness or fear, experiencing distressing memories of the event, avoiding things that trigger the memory of the event, showing impairment or distress, and experiencing these things for at least a month (RAINN-effects, 2009). Victims may also experience “Stockholm Syndrome”, which causes positive feelings toward the abuser, and negative feelings toward family and friends (RAINN-effects 2009). Victims of child abuse may accumulate Dissociative Identity Disorder, or Multiple Personality Disorder. It is believed that children develop this disorder when (during an abusive situation) they slip into dissociative states in order to separate themselves apart from the situation (RAINN-effects, 2009). Other biological and psychological problems that could emerge from rape include sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, self-harm, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide (RAINN-effects, 2009).

Each victim has his or her own life experiences, personality, and body that will all influence the reaction following a sexual assault like rape. In addition, each situation varies, making some rape offenses more traumatizing than others. Rape can have a lifetime affect on an individual. Adult victims of child sexual abuse may grow up to have frequent flashbacks and constant anger, mourning, guilt, shame, blame, trust issues, low self-esteem, coping problems, and sexuality problems (RAINN-effects, 2009).

=**WHY RAPE?**= Rape isn't about the sex, but about power (Rape Prevention Education). Using force or violence against the will of another individual is the act of trying to take control of another human being; It's a way of dehumanizing somebody else. This may be why more men are offenders due to gender-role stereotypes. Men are supposed to be "strong and dominant", while women are supposed to be the "submissive ones". Men try to validate these stereotypes by constantly trying to show masculine qualities. Male rapists try to show their masculinity by using fore, power, and dominance over another individual as a way to validate stereotypes.

=**COMMUNICATING ABOUT RAPE**= Communication skills lack DURING and AFTER the act itself. The victim words are not being acknowledged, or the victim is incapable of communicating words at all. Whatever the situation, the offender is the one that is not letting that communication happen. Being known as the most under-reported violent crime, rape isn’t something that many people acknowledge as a sexual assault. In addition, it can be hard to talk about such a frightening experience. Sometimes people avoid talking to someone or seeking help because they are afraid that talking about it will bring back memories or feelings that are too painful. The best way to heal is to talk about the issue in safe environment with the support of a professional. Talking about rape sooner than later can reduce other after effects of rape. Some people may feel more comfortable talking one-on-one with a therapist, while others may feel more comfortable joining a support group; As long as the victim communicates with people about experience and does it shortly after, the better it is in the long-run (Nemours-dealing with feelings, 2011).

=**REFERENCES:**=

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). (2009). //Statistics.// Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://www.rainn.org/statistics
Rape Treatment Center, Santa Monica at UCLA. (2007). //911Rape; Facts and Quotes.// Retrieved April 10, 2011, from[| http://www.911rape.org/facts-quotes/statistics]

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American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (March, 2011). //Facts for Families: Child Sexual Abuse.// Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Child+Sexual+Abuse§ion=Facts+for+Families =====

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). (2009). //Effects of Sexual Assault.// Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://www.rainn.org/get-information/effects-of-sexual-assault
Rape Prevention Education. //FAQs Questions and Answers.// Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://www.rapecrisis.org.nz/content.aspx?id=53

//Date Rape Drug// [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://media.onsugar.com/files/ed2/301/3019466/44_2009/46100793860f4440_82400491.xlarge.jpg
//Depression// [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.tricitypsychology.com/blog/switching-medications-could-help-severly-depressed-teens/