RAPE

Although almost all people have been living in a highly global world, it is an obvious fact that many people in different places of the world are struggling with gender based violence, especially rape. Despite the fact that nowadays the media and people normalize or laugh at rape, it is a traumatic and life threatening experience on a personal level, and socially and economically devastating.  In contrast to many people who are of the opinion that rape normally occurs due to sexual desire but the prominent points including the desire to exert power and revenge should be analyzed.

Without any doubt, nowadays let alone adults, even children are liable to be raped  because they are unable to give consent. According to recent research conducted in  the US, rape is generally committed by someone who the victim knows or even trusts; acquaintance rape. As a result of this, many survivors integrate the experience into their lives and remain traumatized. To a certain extent, socialization has a direct correlation with rape, because people are labeled in terms of their gender in all societies. As can be known, men are known as aggressive, while women should be passive according to their predetermined roles. As far as changing times are concerned, rape may be regarded as a daily event, because more women are using birth control and having sex at a very young age. As can be seen, some motives cause a desire to exert power over another person.

Apart from asserting dominance so as to satisfy sexual needs and a power struggle, another significant reason for rape is revenge. Traditionally, people living in Turkey consider rape as a shame instead of victimhood. As honor killing by family members is so prevalent, victims are more likely to feel guilty for not saying ‘no’. On the other hand, if a victim becomes pregnant after the rape, death through suicide or murder will be inevitable. Unfortunately, from the survivor’s viewpoint, death could have been better than the loss of such valuable virginity. In fact, keeping silent to avoid such a stigma is one of the tragic outcomes of rape.

All in all, rape is a grave problem modern people, especially women, have to deal with. Due to the fact that many people are unable to give consent because of their age or  physical or mental incapability, there are many randy youths who feed their egos and feel stronger through exerting power. Needless to say, until this  problem is solved, ‘no’ will continue to mean ‘yes’ and one crime will lead to another one.