Rape is a common problem throughout numerous countries in the world. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 700,000 rapes occur each year. In addition to this, many rapes and sexual assault go unreported due to social stigma. Rape does not always happen with a stranger, and instead, majority are committed by people that the person knows. It is a problem in jails, hospitals, refugee camps, and throughout communities. Sieger states that, “rape is not ‘having sex’; rape is violence intended to assert male power and control… Rape is often exercised as a ‘privilege’ of power.” In addition to rape, child sexual abuse is also a large problem, along with marital rape. Each of these takes advantage of the weaker person, and the male dominates them to his dismay.
When I read how many people are raped in the United States each year, I gasped, literally. I could not believe the number, and how it is significantly larger than any other country. But then I began to reevaluate it and think about my personal experiences over the past few years, and the number seemed more tangible. I personally have been put in difficult situations, that if I had not gotten out of them, may have ended in a disaster. College campuses seem to be locations where rape is fairly common, and that it probably goes unreported most of the time. In addition, high school students are starting to drink at younger ages, which influences their decision making processes, and may cause them to put their selves in bad situations.
The thought of child sexual assault makes my stomach churn in disgust. I don’t believe that this represents power, instead it shows weakness in only being able to dominate someone who is much smaller and less capable than the adult. Also, with marital rape, it seems that the fact that they are married makes it seem ok to the power figure to take advantage of their partner. I’m sure that many of these instances go unreported or unprosecuted due to the circumstances. This is very unfortunate because it is still not right.
Rape and sexual abuse is obviously a problem, especially in the United States. Further measures should be taken to address this situation, and to try to prevent it. In addition, prosecution of those convicted should be more thorough, and have larger consequences. As a female, I know that I can be controlled very easily by a man who is stronger than me. This inequality scares me, and has significantly influenced my personal decisions.
Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
58-59.
When i hear the word Rape, i cringe. I instently think of cruel, driven force that is unwanted, mainly to females. I have had family members apart of this horrible act, and i feel that men or women who persue this should be punished.
ReplyDeleteI am awear that rape occurs amongst children of both male and female as well. I recievce a gut feeling of discust i believe, more so when i hear about children being raped, although i do not agree or tolerate any degree of rape.
i found that i agreed with many if not all your statments about rape and how they made you feel.
i think the biggest response or statment that i took away from this blog was when you mentioned how you as a female could easily be controlled by a male. This was a strong statment i felt and also sad at the same time, because it is unfair how most females can be dominated by males if they wish because their body structures are designed stronger then ours.
Rape is nothing to joke about! i enjoyed reading your thoughts and beliefs on this issue. i always like listening to your ideas or thoughts in class because you usually bring up another side to a topic that has not alrady been thought about or discussed. You are not affriad to say how you feel, i admire that about you !