ABSTRACT

There is no universal, constant, or absolute definition of what constitutes a social

problem. Rather, social problems are defined by a combination of objective and
subjective criteria that vary across societies, among individuals and groups within a
society, and across historical time periods. Although social problems take many forms,
they all share two important elements: an objective social condition and a subjective
interpretation of that social condition.
Rape occurs in all societies of the world, within the home or in the wider community and
it affects women and girls disproportionately, some men as well. Rape is a pervasive form
of gender-based violence and also a social problem within the community and the society.
This work is to examine rape as a social problem. To inquire the types, causes, effect of it
to the environment and also a solution to this act.

FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES ON RAPE

Although the proper definition of rape is itself a matter of some dispute, rape is
generally understood to involve sexual penetration of a person by force and/or without
that person's consent. Rape is committed overwhelmingly by men and boys, usually
against women and girls, and sometimes against other men and boys. (For the most part,
this entry will assume male perpetrators and female victims.)
Feminist explanations locate the cause of this crime within society. They suggest that the
crime of rape and sexual assault is a crime of power. Rape and sexual assault is an abuse
of power, which:
is a result of unequal power between perpetrator and victim;
reinforces the inequality of power in this relationship; and
reinforces the inequality of power between men and women.
Feminist theory focuses on the wider picture of women living in a society which is
dominated by men. Rape and sexual assault is seen as one of the ways in which men
enact their dominance in a violent way over women, children and other men. It rejects
ideas that rape results from sexual attraction or from the way victims/survivors dress or
behave.
Virtually all feminists agree that rape is a grave wrong, one too often ignored,
mischaracterized, and legitimized. Feminists differ, however, about how the crime of rape
is best understood, and about how rape should be combated both legally and socially.
When looking at our society, and indeed, globally, men are in the most powerful positions
in social, political, legal, economic, military and religious institutions. The dominance of
men leads to patriarchal societies in which men make the rules and the laws. These rules
and laws are structured in ways that uphold the status quo and thus the powerful positions

of men. As a result, there is systemic and structural discrimination of women and other
vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. These inequalities lead to increased
vulnerability and negative social, economic and health outcomes for marginalised and
disadvantaged groups. In regards to rape and sexual assault, this means increased
vulnerability to become a victim/survivor of rape or sexual assault and to disadvantages
when dealing with health, legal and other social systems.
INTRODUCTION
Most rapists are known by those they attack and they are often the victims father,
partner, neighbour, a date or some other household figure. Rape is considered a crime
against a person. In some societies, like India, the rape of a girl is thought to bring shame
on her family. The family may consider marrying the girls to her rapist as the only way to
recover her honour. In some cases, the girl is condemned to prostitution (Feming, 1999).
Meanwhile generally, rape leads to depression and healthy mental disorder. Rape is a
crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will. It is a violent,
terrifying and humiliating assault.
Rape happens to all ages, educational levels, religions, sexual orientations and physical
descriptions. Victims of rape range from a few months old to their 90s (Population
Reference Bureau, 2000).

Religious beliefs and education have no influence on a

womans vulnerability. The elderly, mentally and physically disabled are often victimized
because they are seen helpless. Rape is an act of power, anger and dominance over
another because they are seen helpless. Sex is a weapon used to gain control. Rape not
only violates a womans integrity, but also her sense of safety and control over her life,
too. Rapists do not care about the victims well-being or her feelings. Even if the victim
is sick or pregnant, the rapist does not think rationally during the attack. He does not see
the victim as a human being but just as an object to dominate.

Rape is a key component of social problems. By subjecting the women to rape and
without a social structure that endeavors to stop this practice, the women could be made
to believe that they are actually inferior to their counterparts and that they deserve the
abuse. This can affect their self-image and perception of men in general. Bunch (1997:41)
reported that violence against women and girls is the most pervasive violation of human
rights in the world. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (2001), very few studies
have been carried out on rape against women in Nigeria.
In politically unsettled lands, wartime rape and other forms of gender-based violence
remain a constant threat. In these places, rape has been used as an instrument of war to
humiliate the enemy. Rape can affect the productivity of women. A raped girl can be
sick, hospitalized and be unable to go to school or work for days. She can become
pregnant without anybody to take care of her and the pregnancy. Her academic career
can be ruined and if she is a working class type, she may not be able to cope effectively
with her equals.
TYPES OF RAPE
The types of rapes are as follow;
Anger rape: this type of rape expresses hatred towards the victim and rage. This
type of rapist wants the person to feel and understand his anger towards them,
even though they may have not been the one to provoke the rage they need to take
it out on someone and make them suffer as he has for past wrongs and rejections.
Power rape: this type of rape wants to express power and domination over the
victim. These rapists have a common fantasy of women who want them and resist
there come-ons and then consent to sex. So when the fantasy is acted out and the
victim doesnt cooperate the fantasy becomes more about the domination or taking
control over that person. In this way he is showing how very powerful, masculine,
and sexually adequate he really is.

 Sadistic rape: this rapist is obsessed with the ritual that goes along with the sex.
This could be making the victim act out a part in some sort of role-play, it could
involve mutilation, or torture as a means of getting the rapist excited. These rapists
are the ones that wake women out of a dead sleep, scared to death for their lives.
Stranger rape: are rapes enacted by someone that is unknown to you.
Acquaintance rape: are rapes by someone that you know. This is where date rape
falls into play.
Marital rape: is the rape of your spouse. It was once thought that once you
consented to a marriage that you were obligated to serve your husband in any way
he saw fit and this meant sexually. But since the early eighties we have been
passing laws state by state to try and change is control a man has over the sexually
activity in the marriage.
Gang rape: occur when a group of people participate in the rape a single victim.
CAUSES OF RAPE
Rape and other forms of sexual aggression are a sad reality in our society. Most sexually
violent acts are committed by one person, but the act itself may be influenced by many.
The following are the causes of this social problem that has caused some lives short and
destroy them which are;
Peer Group Influence: Sexual aggression is a behavior that has been linked to
peer association. For instance, high school students who associate with violent
teens are more likely to engage in violence than those whose friends are
nonviolent people. Likewise, sexual aggression may be heavily influenced by the
attitudes of peers.
Indecent Dressing: indecent dressing of females can encourage and as well cause
sexually aggression and rape.
Alcohol and Drug Dependence: Various drugs are used to facilitate rape. Alcohol
is by far the most frequently used. Alcohol impairs inhibitions, judgment and
decision-making.

 Unequal Power Relations: is a relationship in which some have the power to

control others actions because of their inferiority complex.
Jealousy: is a complex emotion that encompasses many different kinds of feelings
that range from fear abandonment.
EFFECTS OF RAPE
The effects and aftermath of rape can include both physical trauma and psychological
trauma. However, physical force is not necessarily used in rape, and physical injuries are
not always a consequence. Deaths associated with rape are known to occur, though the
prevalence of fatalities varies considerably across the world. For rape victims the more
common consequences of sexual violence are those related to reproductive health, mental
health, and social wellbeing.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA: For psychological trauma, this constitutes mental
effects and emotional effects. Below are some of the common mental effects and
emotional effects of rape;
PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is
triggered by a terrifying event. Some common symptoms associated with PTSD
are flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the
event.
Depression. Depression is more than common feelings of temporary sadness.
Symptoms can include prolonged sadness, feelings of hopelessness, unexplained
crying, changes in appetite with significant weight loss or gain, loss of energy or
loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed.
Dissociation. Dissociation usually refers to feeling like one has checked out or
is not present.

 Suicide: When the crime justice system doesnt listening, doesnt investigate,
doesnt seems to care, it sends a message to rapist that you will not be held
accountable for your crimes. To victims, this inaction sends the message: Your
suffering is not our concern. The victim feels cheated and disappointed and that
will lead him or her in committing suicide.
Other emotional effects of trauma include; Changes in how we view trust, Anger
and

blame,

Shock,

Numbness,

Loss

of

control,

Disorientation,

Helplessness, Sense of vulnerability, Fear, Self-blame/guilt for allowing the

crime to happen, Feeling that these reactions are a sign of weakness.
PHYSICAL TRAUMA: There can also be physical effects to trauma that that become
apparent, either in the immediate aftermath of the experience or that manifest in waves
later on. In the case of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections or diseases, some
physical effects are biological responses.
The immediate physical effects a person can experience after a sexual assault or rape can
include; Bruising, Bleeding (vaginal or anal), Difficulty walking, Soreness,
Broken or dislocated bones.
Possible prolonged physical effects of sexual assault can include:
Pregnancy. Pregnancy may result from rape. The rate varies between settings and
depends particularly on the extent to which non-barrier contraceptives are being
used.
Sexually transmitted diseases. Violent or forced sex can increase the risk of
transmitting HIV and AIDS. In forced vaginal penetration, abrasions and cuts
commonly occur, thus facilitating the entry of the virus through the vaginal
mucosa.

RAPE AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM

Rape and sexual violence in the world is rampant, and stems from the prevailing
undercurrent of sexism and a mindset that perceives women as nothing more than
cattle. What we need to start with is to effect change at the local level by shifting
mindsets and perpetuating the idea that women are not threats, but are important for
society. We need to institutionalize the belief that women are not to be treated this
way, and that they are not to be perceived as anything less than human beings with an
equal status as men.
The brazen disregard of the status of women relegates them to the position of second
class citizens. This sets in process a sort of a chain reaction, as women find
themselves forced to suffer in silence without access to healthcare, education and
justice, simply because there is no security for them. Girls cannot go to school
because the route to school is peppered with sexual harassment and what India calls
eve-teasing. Women cant access healthcare because there are either no facilities at
all, or the only ones that there are, are effectively placed with barriers of many kinds
in between. Girls and women cannot speak out against any of this because of the
perennial sword of patriarchy hanging above their heads.
Just think about it: while we are looking at the criminals for what they did, demanding
that there be a change in the mindset towards women concerning the criminal angle,
theres a whole different mindset thats being ignored. These girls were forced to leave
their houses at the witching hour to use the only toilet in the village. Though the fact
remains that these girls are for that matter, any person is entitled to go out into the
morning, evening or night, it is also true that the isolation, the sheer lack of access to
their own facilities forcing them out into the isolation, and the perceived opportunity
feed into the already prevailing antagonism against women by being an enabling
environment. Every crime needs an enabling environment, and rape is no different.
What if these girls had access to their own clean water, to their own toilets, and to

their own privacy? They might not have had to go out into the night to face their
tragic fate. I am not seeking to justify the actions of the men, or alleviate them of
blame, but rather to suggest that any approach to rape and sexual violence must be
comprehensive and multi-faceted in tackling the pressing need of shifting mindsets.
A nuanced approach to dealing with the subversive nature of rape in the world is key
before the bigger picture is even considered. It is a somewhat unfortunate reality that
no one cares about the littler cogs in the wheel that actually keeps it moving, instead
trying to stop the wheel from turning and getting trampled in the process. The easiest
way to stop a wheel is to pull out the linchpin, especially if its derailing a vehicle
downhill. We have a duty to find that linchpin, and not keep bricks in the path of the
wheel bricks that can be removed allowing the wheel to roll all over again.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that government should provide women, who experience rape with
multi-disciplinary services including counseling and other resources that they need for
full recovery and integration in their communities, legal support (including provision for
compensation) and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and later
rehabilitation. In addition, men should be educated from infancy on the concept of
manhood and their supportive and protective roles in the family as a means of eradicating
all forms of gender-based violence against women. Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) should champion this public based campaign to eradicate/eliminate gender-based
violence against women in our society.
The government should provide inadequate security in the society to prevent sexually
assault and rape and also to make the law for rape abuse and sexually assault more active
and stiff penalty for perpetrators.

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