Rape a Social Problem - 2331 Words

Rape: A Social Problem Deanna Havens Soc 203: Social Problems Dr. Rollins July 23, 2011 Rape is a part of society. Rape is and always will be a social problem. Sexual assault is defined as a sexual act performed without consent, the violation of one person by another. Rather than an act of sexual gratification, rape is an angry and violent expression of the rapist’s desire to dominate someone else (Ledray, 1986, pg. 1-2). Rape not only affects the victim, it also affects family, friends and associates. It was not long ago that rape was not recognized as a real problem. Today, however, society is conscious of this fact: that an individual has the right to choose when to consent to sexual acts. Rape victims can turn the outrage of†¦show more content†¦An individual may view a situation as dangerous that they would have deemed safe before the rape. The fears that follow are dependent on the sort of situation in which the attack happened. A victim does not want to put themselves at risk again for an attack. Women who have been raped can experience depression. About one third to one-half of women will experience moderate to severe depression (Ledray, 1986, pg. 90). Symptoms include loss of appetite, low self-esteem and many more. The severity of these symptoms may vary from day to day. Anxiety is another predominant response to rape. Individuals may have difficulty relaxing or have a feeling of doom. Some women may become extremely dependent and afraid of being alone. Anger usually follows a period of overwhelming depression and anxiety. Anger be immobilizing, but when properly focused, it can be a more functional and less self-destructive response than depression (Ledray, 1986, pg. 97). Guilt results when the blame is placed with the victim instead of where it should be, with the perpetrator. While it can always be said that an individual may have done something to make them more vulnerable to rape, it does not make the act of rape their fault. The perpetrator chose to commit a crime. All the blame rests there. A common myth regarding rape or sexual assault says that a woman is likely to be raped because she either was somewhere she should not be and/or dressed in a manner thatShow MoreRelatedPevelance and Effects of Rape1064 Words   |  4 PagesThe Prevalence and Effects of Rape The prevalence of rape is a major social problem that plagues America and other countries around the world daily. Victims of rape are psychologically, and sometimes physically damaged from being sexually assaulted. Although it would seem that it is a sexually motivated crime, rape â€Å"is actually an act of violence in which sex is used as a weapon against a powerless victim† (Kendall 197). 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