Crushing the Myths Fueling Rape
Much as we tried last time, we could not underline the proceeding query: Why do men rape? Why do human beings - and this is not exclusive to any colour, race or continent - find it plausible to violate other beings on account of superior authority, power, strength, entitlement, depravity, or any fancy words psychiatry can concoct to explain untreated madness. After reading some of the copious research documents, warnings and profiles of serial violators and casual rapists, it has become even more difficult to understand (no, make that appreciate) the fact that what we call an endemic canopy of rape in our land, has indeed swollen subliminally and vigorously into a pandemic. Virtually overwhelmed by the surging and compelling distractions of the Coronavirus pandemic, most governments of the world have dug their heads deep into the dessert wasteland, sharing potholes with ostriches. This age-long pandemic will not go...unless we take serious and far-reaching actions, similar to those influenced by COVID-19.
With rape the “underlying conditions” are almost untreatable, hard to diagnose, unpredictable in its virulence, ancient in origins, and insidiously asymptomatic! Sadly, and most damaging to our future, there is no possibility of a vaccine!
Here is how an entry in Wikipedia describes the object of our national frustration: “Research focusing specifically on gender relations within the context of sexual assault have found that conformance to notions of male entitlement, suspicion of the opposite sex, perceiving violence as a reasonable method for solving problems, and holding the traditional patriarchal attitudes that specific societal roles belong to specific genders are found to adhere to the concept of male entitlement/superiority (in the context of gender relations). The cognitive biases that add to one’s propensity to commit acts of sexual violence include the belief that women are sex objects; men’s sexual drive is uncontrollable; a feeling of entitlement (entitlement to sex); society is dangerous; and that women are unpredictable and dangerous.”
If you think rape is merely a social indiscretion that mass enlightenment on early sex education, moral rectitude, evils of improper dressing, and such simplistic antidotes would substantially mitigate, then, you are probably as clueless as some of our illiterate lawmakers who seek relevance by uttering irrelevant gobbledygook... on style “distancing”!
Beyond cutting-edge researches on the rape pandemic and impeccable anti-rape campaign literature, we admire the inspiring work of the folks at UK- based online platform, www. rapecrisis.org.uk. Rape Crisis England & Wales is a “charitable incorporated organisation” you may call “vigilantes” against rapists, and oasis of support for victims and survivors. They wrote a great piece on myths that have fueled the acts and violence of rapists, and the realities of their profound misconceptions. We shall devote much of the rest of this column to excerpts from their article, ‘About Sexual Violence: Myths & Realities’:
“Myth: Someone who’s drunk lots of alcohol or taken drugs shouldn’t complain if they end up being raped or sexually assaulted.
Fact: In law, consent to sex is when someone agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. If a person is unconscious or incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, they are unable to give their consent to sex. Having sex with a person who is incapacitated through alcohol or drugs is rape...
Myth: It’s only rape if someone is physically forced into sex and has the injuries to show for it.
Fact: Sometimes people who are raped sustain injuries and sometimes they don’t. Someone consents to sex when they agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. There are lots of circumstances in which someone might not have freedom or capacity to consent to sex... Many people who are sexually attacked are unable to move or speak from fear and shock. They may be in a coercive or controlling relationship with their rapist, and/or too young to give consent (under 16). Sex without consent is rape. Just because someone doesn’t have visible injuries doesn’t mean they weren’t raped.
Myth: If two people have had sex with each other before, it’s always OK to have sex again.
Fact: If a person is in a relationship with someone or has had sex with them before, it doesn’t mean they can’t be sexually assaulted or raped by that person. Consent must be given and received every time two people engage in sexual contact.
Myth: People who were sexually abused as children are likely to become abusers themselves.
Fact: This is a dangerous myth, which is sometimes used to try and explain or excuse the behaviour of those who rape and sexually abuse children. It is offensive and unhelpful to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The vast majority of those who are sexually abused as children will never perpetrate sexual violence against others. There is no excuse or explanation for sexual violence against children or adults.
Myth: Women are most likely to be raped after dark by a stranger, so women shouldn’t go out alone at night.
Fact: Only around 10% of rapes are committed by ‘strangers’. Around 90% of rapes are committed by known men, and often by someone who the survivor has previously trusted or even loved. People are raped in their homes, their workplaces and other settings where they previously felt safe. Rapists can be friends, colleagues, clients, neighbours, family members, partners or exes. Risk of rape shouldn’t be used as an excuse to control women’s movements or restrict their rights and freedom.
Myth: People often lie about being raped because they regret having sex with someone or for attention.
Fact: Disproportionate media focus on false rape allegations can give the impression it’s common for people to lie about sexual violence. This is not true. False allegations of rape are very rare. Most victims and survivors never report to the police. One reason for this is the fear of not being believed. It’s really important we challenge this myth so those who’ve been through sexual violence can get the support and justice they need and deserve.
Myth: Only young, ‘attractive’ women and girls, who flirt and wear ‘revealing’ clothes, are raped.