NCJ Number
63132
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THIS CANADIAN ESSAY STATES THAT RAPE STEMS FROM A FUNDAMENTAL CONFLICT IN COMPETITIVE, AGGRESSIVE SOCIETY JUSTIFIED BY THE SEXIST NOTION THAT MALES SHOULD CONTROL AND DOMINATE A WOMAN'S SEXUAL BEING.
Abstract
THE FEAR OF RAPE, AS WELL AS THE WAY RAPE IS PROSECUTED IN THE COURTS, SERVES TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL CONTROL OVER THE ENTIRE FEMININE POPULATION AND TO MAINTAIN THE DOMINATION OF MEN OVER WOMEN. THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE GENERATES RAPE AND DOES NOTHING TO DISCOURAGE IT. TO ELIMINATE RAPE, ROOT CAUSES MUST BE EXAMINED. WOMEN MUST STOP BEING TOLD THAT THE WAY TO AVIOD RAPE IS BY PERPETUATING THEIR DEPENDENCE. SOCIETY SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING THE ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL INDEPENDENCE OF WOMEN, AND MEN SHOULD BE GIVEN A GREATER ROLE IN THE SOCIALIZATION AND NURTURING PROCESS OF THEIR CHILDREN. IN THIS WAY, MEN MIGHT ALTER THEIR VIEWS OF SEXUALITY TO COINCIDE MORE WITH THOSE OF WOMEN. MEN WOULD BECOME SENSITIZED TO WOMAN'S TOTAL BEING, RATHER THAN VIEWING HER AS A SEX OBJECT. SUCH A TOTAL RESOCIALIZATION PROCESS MUST BEGIN WITH THE WAYS YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS ARE TAUGHT TO REGARD THEMSELVES AND THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD. MOREOVER, MORE SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF FORCIBLE RAPE IS NECESSARY FROM ESTABLISHED LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES AS A MEANS OF INITIATING A MORE SYMPATHETIC SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR REPORTING RAPE. THE LAWS, POLICE, HOSPITALS AND COURT MEDIATION PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ALTERED TO DEAL WITH THE PRIMARY CONCERNS AND TRAUMA OF THE VICTIM AND THE ALLEGED RAPIST. THESE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS MUST UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR RESPONSES TO RAPE VICTIMS. SUCH STEPS COULD ELIMINATE THE KIND OF SEXUAL DOMINATION AND DEGRADATION REPRESENTED BY RAPE. FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)