Rape is one of the most painful, disempowering experiences that a person can live through. Unfortunately, we live in a world where rape is underreported. Additionally, there is a great degree of silence and misinformation about the issue. Because of these factors, many people lack the knowledge and understanding necessary to prevent sexual assault or assist survivors.
Read this article to get informed and take positive actions that make our world a safer, brighter place. Here are 10 facts about rape that many people are unaware of:
1. Many Popular Songs Promote Rape Culture.
Rape culture is a concept that refers to communities where sexual violence is encouraged and accepted because of the society’s views about women, men, and sex. (Learn more about rape culture here.) Rape culture promotes the notion that violence, force, and/or coercion is an integral aspect of sexual encounters.
There are several popular songs which promote rape culture by feeding into the “No means yes” ideology. An example would be “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” In this song, a man attempts to convince his female partner to stay at his place (presumably so he can have sex with her) because it is too cold for her to travel home. Despite the fact that the woman continually says no and offers reasons why, the man keeps insisting that she stay. This dialogue upholds the rape culture norm that when women resist a man’s sexual advances, they really don’t mean “no” and the man can continue pressuring her until “consent” is finally granted.
2. Many Victims Do Not Define The Sexual Assault As “Rape.”
As noted by NCBI, many sexual violence survivors do not use the term “rape” to describe what happened. Instead, they use more benign wording such as “miscommunication” or “bad sex.” One study found that more than half of female rape survivors do not acknowledge the fact that they have been raped.
3. We Tend To Blame The Victim, Not The Rapist.
Research studies indicate that when an individual is raped, society tends to blame the victim rather than the rapist. For example, The Guardian cites a study in which more than half of female respondents thought that there were situations in which the rape victim was to blame. For example, if the woman had performed a sex act on the rapist, over 40% believed she should take some responsibility for the rape. Also, 20% of respondents believe that the victim was to blame if she went to the home of the attacker.
4. Most Victims Know The Rapist.
Oftentimes, rape is discussed as a form of unwanted sexual violence that takes place when a stranger attacks a woman in a dark alley. While this can happen, studies indicate that this is not the way that rape generally unfolds. As noted by RAINN, 7 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone who knows the victim.
5. Pornography Promotes Rape Culture.
In a research article entitled “The harms of pornography exposure among children and young people,” Michael Flood explores the impact that pornography consumption can have on viewers. Flood notes that young men and boys who frequently consume pornography were more likely to condone acts of sexual coercion. Additionally, these viewers were more likely to sexually assault another person. This was especially the case for those who viewed pornography involving a lot of violence.
6. Rape Is Still Legal in Some Countries.
India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China are just a few countries where marital rape is still common, according to “Marital Rape Is Still Legal in Some Countries and Still Happens in the U.S.,”. And though America’s legislators have made marital rape illegal in every state, examining the issue more closely reveals that there are flaws in the U.S. system of prosecuting sexual assault within marriage. As indicated by Hayley Fox, marital rape is frequently handled differently than other types of rape. Specifically, there are states where victims have a shorter window of time in which they can report spousal rape. In many cases, the sentencing is decreased when a conviction for marital rape is granted. “Marital Rape Is Still Legal in Some Countries and Still Happens in the U.S.,”. And though America’s legislators have made marital rape illegal in every state, examining the issue more closely reveals that there are flaws in the U.S. system of prosecuting sexual assault within marriage. As indicated by Hayley Fox, marital rape is frequently handled differently than other types of rape. Specifically, there are states where victims have a shorter window of time in which they can report spousal rape. In many cases, the sentencing is decreased when a conviction for marital rape is granted.
7. American Indians Are At The Greatest Risk Of Victimization.
As noted in RAINN, American Indians are twice as likely to be victimized by rape or sexual assault than members of other races. RAINN also reports that 41% of sexual assaults against American Indians are committed by strangers, 34% by an acquaintance, and 25% by family members or intimate partners.
8. Most Sexual Assaults Occur In Or Near The Victim’s Home.
RAINN reports that most rapes (55%) are completed at or near the victim’s home.
9. Men Can Be Victimized By Sexual Assault.
As noted in RAINN, sexual assault can happen to anyone. This includes men and boys. Thus while rates of sexual assault are highest amongst women and girls, it’s important to be aware that males can be victimized as well.
10. Many Celebrities Are Advocates For Rape Victims.
While rape is a deeply troubling social issue, it’s important to know that many people are doing something about it. This includes celebrities. For example, David Schwimmer became a board director for the Rape Treatment Center in Santa Monica in 2001. Lady Gaga has also supported sexual abuse survivors through her song “Til It Happens to You” and performed the song at the Academy Awards with dozens of survivors standing beside her on the stage. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actress Mariska Hargitay has also advocated for victims by starting an organization designed to offer healing and support for survivors. Her organization is called the Joyful Heart Foundation.
End Violence Against Women
Now that you know what a big social problem rape is, you may be ready to become a part of the solution. If so, you can get started now by working with LiveYourDream.org. Explore the website now to learn about volunteer opportunities you can take to raise awareness about violence against women.
Jocelyn Crawley is a radical feminist who found feminism in her late 20s. She has published several works on a wide range of feminist topics, including rape culture, gender identity, feminist literature, and misogynist music lyrics. Her favorite feminist books are Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In addition to volunteering with awesome organizations such as LiveYourDream.org, she enjoys doing yoga and sipping coffee while having great conversations with friends. Her objective for 2019 is working at the local level with other radical feminists to develop strategies for resistance to rape.
I agree. Pornography is the main reason for rape. I think the government should ban these sites.
I write this from the vantage point of a non-rape victim. This is the worst violation of women, girls, boys and young men. And although it is terrible to hear that your son or brother was raped, we must acknowledge that females are and have always been the majority of intended attacks. This is NOT to brush away the act and feelings of the male victim. Quite frankly, NO ONE is above the danger of the possibility of this happening. In the case of females and at whatever age it happens, it can be life changing; paranoia, trust issues, pregnancy and disease are just some of the outcomes. And there are many reasons males and some females rape; childhood rape, mentally ill and the rape culture in modern song lyrics and music videos. In reference to pornography, I feel the issue here is that pornography is no longer a group of guys getting together in private watching ‘stag’ films. It is EVERYWHERE on the internet and very accessible. And although a parent can setup parental controls on their home computers, children can find it if they are looking for it or if they are perhaps at a friend’s house who doesn’t have parental controls. It can be found easily on smartphones. What I’m getting at is that it can be found if one is intended on finding it. And because of this, many boys can become addicted it to, resulting in relationship issues with girls their own age. Pornography gives boys and young men the idea that ALL girls and women are like the actors, that they willingly perform these acts that the boys are used to viewing. I think this addiction has resulted in rape; date rape, rape by a stranger – rape is rape. Banning pornography would be a dream come true but the ability to access, as stated above, is the real culprit. Although public libraries, as well as school libraries, are permitted by law to disable the filtering of porn software, it is beyond those realms that access stops. Because of the 1st and 5th amendments, we cannot ban it. I suggest we ALL contact our state reps, congressmen and senators to work on creating clauses in the amendments that make the access to pornography more difficult. Legislation could change the manner in how available it is on the internet, even previews or ‘teasers’ that make one curious enough to go to their sites. Regardless of the fact that rape due to addiction to cyber porn is on the rise, we must also address the many other reasons it happens. If you think about, prostitution has been called the ‘oldest profession’ in the world, rape doesn’t require payment. Both are terrible; the first one is willingful and consensual, the second is definitely NOT.