Date rape crime review

“ Date rape (also known as acquaintance rape) is a form of rape in which there is a potential romantic or sexual relationship between the two partners in the moment the sexual assault occurs. The perpetrator uses physical or psychological intimidation to force a victim to have sex against his or her will, or when the perpetrator has sex with a victim who is incapable of giving consent because they have been incapacitated by drugs or alcohol” (Wikipedia). This is an awful issue and needs to have more awareness brought to it.

Date Rape was not in fact considered a serious crime until 2005. The words “ date” and “ rape” are not words that should ever have to be associated together. When you think of the word “ date,” you think of dinner and a movie, or a picnic at the beach, and when you think about the word “ rape”, you want to picture a dark alley in a deserted part of town and a slimy man with a mask. In reality, though, a study by the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape showed that in fact ninety-two percent of adolescent rape victims said that they were acquainted with their attackers. Therefore, someone they knew, not the stereotypical smiley man. Date rape is an issue that has occurred forever, and to this day it continues. The only cause for date rapes is the people who choose to act in the crime, and should be the only ones to blame. Despite the fact that this crime is morally and ethically wrong, date rape continues to happen due to the conception that men take control over women, rape cannot often be proved, and the affects that the Catholic Church has on the topic of rape.

It is clear that since the beginning on time, men have been in a position of dominance over women, whether it be physically, financially, more power, etc. The Bible and history sadly teaches us this as well, contributing to this misconception that men overpower women and are therefore permitted to use women to their advantage or cause them harm/sufferance, such as in the case of date rape. This mindset, that men have more authority than their women counterparts could very well be the source of this issue. Similarly, the idea that women are designated to suffer has been employed ever since Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit in The Garden of Eden and has remained a reality centuries later in our society, where it seems to be justifiable to punish women for simply being women. With this in mind, often times when one thinks of rape, a scene of a severely beaten woman left to die in a dark alleyway pops up in one’s imagination. Rape is again stereotypically pictured as a woman being sexually assaulted and beaten by a stranger while she is walking down the street or walking to her car late at night for instance (King Blog). However, date rape is rape usually perpetrated by a person who is known to the victim, someone as close to them as a partner, co-worker or even family member, this making it potentially even harder for the victim to cope afterwards. This being said, date rape takes a large toll on the victim both physically and emotionally. It is common for a victim to feel at fault or responsible for the atrocity that happened to them, experiencing emotions such as guilt and embarrassment for what happened to them, even though date rape is never the victim’s fault. There are many causes of date rape, but the only person to blame in this circumstance is the rapist themself.

Ninety-percent of rapes that occur are not reported. Due to the lack of care and justice given to other women who have spoken up about their story, many women do not feel that anything would be done in their case. Women are often instantly shut down when addressing being apart of a rape situation. Close-minded people often shutdown those who were brave enough to open up about their story by claiming that the woman was perhaps being dramatic or dressed too provocatively around a man who could not handle it. It is hard for a woman to fight back in a date rape situation because they are truly unaware of what is happening at the moment. There might be physical damage such as bruises from trying to fight back, however, those bruises cannot prove much in a court case. This is why majority of raped victims do not report the incident, because they feel that people will not believe them, which often occurs to those who do file a report. Since there really is no proof, unless the rapist confesses to their crime, it is hard to give the appropriate punishment to the rapist. The date rape can be even worse for some, as they are drugged so intensely that they do not even know what has happened to them once they have waken up. They have no proof or memory, but have to face with not knowing what happened to them every day for the rest of their life. There are however organizations that are willing to provide aid and assistance to those in need.

Wavaw Raped Crisis Centre is a Canadian non-profit organization that provides information on rape, has an option to donate money to those affected, and provides a crisis phone line to make reports and be able to speak to someone. WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1982. Their vision is to one day witness a society where all women are free from violence. Phone number, 604 255 6344, is the most efficient way of contacting them. Globally, there are many organizations that will provide similar aid and comfort for those in need such as the International Campaign to Stop Rape. Similar to the Canadian organization, it keeps updates on solved cases, provides information and awareness to this serious topic. Their mission statement is “ Together. In solidarity.” The organization has been present since 2012. In a total of five years, five thousand individuals and organizations throughout the world have come together to help end sexual violence. The way of contacting them is to fill out the provided fields and address an issue, and fill out the contact information.

Despite both the physical and mental pain while experiencing such an awful tragedy, most of the time, it does not just end there. There are many hardships women have to face after such a tragic incident such as post mental trauma due to having to live with the unwanted experience. Sadly, there is not only post trauma mentally, but physical consequences that are life changing to a woman. Women can be left with life altering sexual transmitted diseases such as HIV, Chlamydia/infection, or be left with an unwanted pregnancy. Focusing specifically on pregnancy, a woman has no escape from it. Unlike how a man can choose not to take part in their child’s life, a pregnant woman has to actually face it or make a choice as to what she wishes to do with the child. One in every twenty rapes leads to pregnancy (The Irish Times). Many of these women are faced with the hardships of deciding on the abortion option because they initially had no intention of having sexual intercourse nor having a child. A woman may not be ready to have a child or is not able to deal with the reasoning, rape, behind her pregnancy. The Catholic Church is against allowing women to have an abortion because a living human was developed with a soul, and to get rid of it would be considered evil. However, a woman may be chaste and waiting until marriage to have intercourse, but since she got raped, she has had no control or says in what has been done and is now pregnant. This is injustice towards sexually assaulted women. If the Catholic Church does not support abortion because there should not be pre marital sex, that is a choice one chooses to make. If they want to have premarital sex, they have to be open to the fact that the risk pregnancy is associated with doing so. Although in a date rape scenario, a woman is left helpless and no longer can make the choice she intends. Not only is date rape illegal, but also it is very morally and ethically wrong.

The Catholic Church teaches us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, which include knowing right from wrong, and being able to make good decisions based on one’s morals and conscience. Catholic Social Teachings are seven key themes to the Catholic Church, and can be associated with rape. Firstly, Life and Dignity of the Human Person is crucial to this issue because a person should not be scared around people she knows in case they decide to drug them and rape them, they are a human with dignity and do not deserve such assault. Call to Family, Community, and Participation; People need to bring more attention and aid to victims that are seeking help, but are instead currently just being shut down. Rights and Responsibilities, it is important for women to have equal rights to be able to speak upon a crime that has affected a countless number of people. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, people living in poverty often get raped due to their level of shelter and not being protected by the proper things a human should have. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, a woman should be protected and be heard of her rights, and have just as much attention as other committed crimes. Solidarity, communities need to unite and help stop sexual assault and eventually, make rape a crime that is taken much more seriously. Care for God’s Creation, each human is divine and precious, their body is a gift that should be chosen to give to somebody they are married to. Follow in Jesus’ footsteps and respect others, as you should yourself.

It is clear that often men take control over women, and shown rape cannot easily be proved. The Catholic Church has many relates to many of the encountered topics addresses of rape. Women have suffered and still continue to suffer in the hands of men, with date rape just being one example of this misfortune. The world needs to end of this devil-like crime, and ears need to be opened to the ones calling for help.