Women's Health: Sexual Assault/Rape
Rape...
...what is it exactly?
Acquaintance rape,
which is also referred to as "date rape" and "hidden
rape," has been increasingly recognized as a real and relatively
common problem within society. Much of the attention that has
been focused on this issue has emerged as part of the growing
willingness to acknowledge and address issues associated with
domestic violence and the rights of women in general in the past
three decades. Although the early and mid 1970's saw the emergence-
of education and mobilization to combat rape, it was not until
the early 1980's that acquaintance rape began to assume a more
distinct form in the public consciousness. The scholarly research
done by psychologist Mary Koss and her colleagues is widely recognized
as the primary impetus for raising awareness to a new level.
The publication of
Koss' findings in the popular Ms. magazine in 1985 informed millions
of the scope and severity of the problem. By de- bunking the
belief that unwanted sexual advances and intercourse were not
rape if they occurred with an acquaintance or while on a date,
Koss compelled women to reexamine their own experiences. Many
women were thus able to reframe what had happened to them as
acquaintance rape and became better able to legitimize their
perceptions that they were indeed victims of a crime. The results
of Koss' research were the basis of the book by Robin Warshaw,
first published in 1988, entitled I Never Called it Rape.
For current purposes,
the term acquaintance rape will be defined as being subjected
to unwanted sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or other
sexual contact through the use of force or threat of
Force. Unsuccessful
attempts are also subsumed within the term "rape." Sexual
coercion is defined as unwanted sexual intercourse, or any other
sexual contact subsequent to the use of menacing verbal pressure
or misuse of authority (Koss, 1988).
"Hey, get some
drinks in her and she's all yours." Sounds gross, but some
guys actually use that idea as a guideline for getting lucky.
Even in this age of equality and respect between the sexes, you
still must be on your guard against the occasional Neanderthal
out there.
That goes double if
you've both been drinking. Between your lowered inhibitions and
slowed reactions and his enhanced confidence and refusal to take
no for an answer, you have much to overcome to keep your body
safe from intruders.
Myths
and Realities about Acquaintance Rape
There are a set of
beliefs and misunderstandings about acquaintance rape that are
held by a large portion of the population. These faulty beliefs
serve to shape the way acquaintance rape is dealt with on both
personal and societal levels. This set of assumptions often presents
serious obstacles for victims as they attempt to cope with their
experience and recovery.
Myth: A woman who gets raped usually deserves
it, especially if she has agreed to go to a man's
house or park with
him.
Reality: No one deserves to be raped. Being in
a man's house or car does not mean that a woman has agreed to
have sex with him.
Myth: If a woman agrees to allow a man to pay
for dinner, drinks, etc., then it means she owes him sex.
Reality: Sex is not an implied payback for dinner
or other expense no matter how much money has been spent.
Myth: Rape is committed by men who are easy
to identify as rapists.
Reality: Women
are often raped by "normal" acquaintances
who resemble "regular guys."
Myth: Women who don't fight back haven't been
raped.
Reality: Rape occurs when one is forced to have
sex against their will, whether they have decided to fight back
or not.
Myth: Intimate kissing or certain kinds of touching
mean that intercourse is inevitable.
Reality: Everyone's
right to say "no" should
be honored, regardless of the activity which preceded it.
Myth: Once a man reaches a certain point of
arousal, sex is inevitable and they can't help forcing themselves
upon a woman.
Reality: Men are capable of exercising restraint
in acting upon sexual urges.
Myth: Most women lie about acquaintance rape
because they have regrets after consensual sex.
Reality: Acquaintance rape really happens - to people
you know, by people you know.
Myth: Women
who say "No" really mean "Yes."
Reality: This notion is based on rigid and outdated
sexual stereotypes.
Myth: Certain behaviors such as drinking or
dressing in a sexually appealing way make rape a woman's responsibility.
Reality: Drinking or dressing in
a sexually appealing way are not invitations for sex.
Source: www.aaets.org/arts/art13.htm.
