Women Should Be Prosecuted for Instigating Rape
Rape is a crime that has been around since the beginning of time. There are historical references to rape in Greek mythology as well as in religious texts. This issue we discuss today has been an issue for women throughout the ages. In ancient times, when a virgin was raped it was considered a violation of her father or husband as the act made her "damaged goods". Women were blamed for allowing it to happen. Women in Rome who did not end their lives after being raped became pariahs. Prostitutes and other women who were considered promiscuous could be raped without any penalty, because they had no honor to loose.
We would like to think we have moved beyond the dark ages. This has yet to happen. Suggesting that rape victims are somehow partly responsible for the violence perpetrated against them is the same attitude that allowed prostitutes in history to be raped without consequence. Blaming the victim is common in rape cases that do make it to court. The defendant's attorney brings the victim's sexual history out for the jury to consider, demands to know why she didn't scream louder or fight harder, and suggests that her alcohol level has some bearing on the defendant's innocence or guilt.
The fact is that rape is a violent crime. If a woman prances around naked in front of a man, makes multiple lewd suggestions, kisses him and gives him a condom, and then says "No, I don't want to have sex with you", the woman is still not asking to be assaulted. I would consider her behavior unsavory, but I would never consider her behavior to be an excuse for rape. The man in this case would be responsible to walk away. It doesn't matter that he is worked up, or angry, or frustrated. He still has the choice to either walk away or commit a horrendous act of violence.
It really is no different than a man in a bar goading the bartender. He insults the bartender's heritage, questions his sexuality, and basically says anything insulting he can think of. The man's behavior is insidious, but the bartender walks away. Maybe he hits a wall later, but he chooses not to assault the guy. If the bartender had hit the guy, some might say the guy asked for it. The law wouldn't see it that way- they'd arrest the bartender. It wouldn't matter what the guy had said, the bartender had no right to hit him.
Many men and those who enforce the law treat rape differently. They assign partial blame to the victim and decide how responsible she was compared to how responsible the rapist was for the act. This is wrong. A victim of rape is never to blame, not even partially, for the actions taken by a criminal against her.
Sources:
Historical references were found in Wikipedia.
Published by Rebecca Rosenburg
Rebecca Rosenburg is a freelance writer and information specialist. Rebecca has worked in the health care industry for 16 years as a CNA/Caregiver. Rebecca is also an educator with 13 years experience specia... View profile
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15 Comments
Post a CommentI made a mistake below. I do not agree! women who are raped are traumatized enough
I agree!
Well written article. Anyone who could blame a rape victim for even .0000001% of the crime is beyond me..
john, the problem is ignorant people think like you do. how do you explain a 80 year old woman getting rape? or a 2 year old? oh yeah the old lady had that sexy cane with her and the 2 year old girl was walking around in a short skirt. believe me if it happened to your mother, sister or daughter your out look on it would be totally different. believe me i know, i use to think the same way until it happened to me.
Excellent article. Well said Odessa. Are Shawn and John men women should be worried about ?
This was a very will written and carefully crafted article.....I liked it much better than the other rebuttal!
It's sad that anyone would be so dumb to blame a rape victim. Any man who thinks a woman is responsible for being raped is a man women should stay clear of...
Posted on Shawn's topic:I guess I kind of see it like this:I'm in a big city.I have lots of money.Bunch of 20's,some smaller denominations.I'm buying a magazine from the vendor on the crowded corner,&pull out my wallet,thick with bills to buy a magazine.Risk of pickpocket/theft?HIGH
Same situation,only I have most of my bills in an inside pocket somewhere not too obvious,want a magazine so I pull out a five from a pocket.Risk?MUCH lower. It's just a matter of being aware of your surroundings.I would rather get gas at night in a busy,well lit area,vs.some out-of-the-way dark industrial area of town.Especially an unfamiliar town.Is it my fault that someone robbed me or stole my car?No.Could I have done certain things to L E S S E N my chances of being a victim?Dressing flashy&showing your money=target.Dressing casual &being discreet=not calling attention to one's self.Much wiser choice,the latter. Eddy ~~~
jj stole my thunder about calling people names and expecting to not be.... stopped. Dressing or behaving a certain way in NO WAY excuses or sometimes even precipitates. However, sometimes it does precipitate action that would not have happened.
I wouldn't say that it was her fault, and it is a shame that many girls don't report because they feel it is their fault. It is very, very sad & upsetting that this happens A LOT.
If you're a mother and you teach your child to wear skimpy clothes whenever/wherever, though- I find that irresponsible! It IS risky, even if it shouldn't be.
Eddy ~~~
John, I reread your article and I see your point. I commented again.