The Consequences of RapeMost people don't laugh at the mention of murder. Theft is no joke and drug distribution is not taken lightly. Rape is illegal, and rightly so, even though many do not consider it a problem of violence. In fact, today's society has classified these circumstances into an abstract concept called "rape culture." In this way, our society no longer considers rape as a serious matter; rather we avoid the topic or embrace it as an unavoidable problem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The blame lies with the victim, when it should lie with the rapist. Often the victim of an assault is burdened with guilt and shame, and our society attacks them rather than the attacker being judged. Rape is far more damaging than our society gives it credit for, hurting the victim physically, socially and psychologically. Rape is a significant problem in the United States. The word rape, or sexual assault, refers to a variety of behaviors containing unwanted sexual contact. The FBI defines rape as “any form of penetration of another person, regardless of gender, without the victim’s consent.” The main defining aspect of rape is lack of consent. Sexual activity should only take place if both individuals have expressed consent. Sheela Raja, a clinical psychologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, says that "rape is not consensual; the victim is uncomfortable, afraid, or intimidated (if conscious). As with any traumatic event, their bodily integrity is threatened by the very nature of the crime. » Sexual assault is extremely common in today's society; in fact, it is the fastest growing crime in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 876,000 rapes occur each year in the United States. Even more surprising, about thirty percent of the rapes that occur are actually reported. It is estimated that one million rapes take place each year in the United States. Eighty percent of rapes are committed by someone who knows the victim, and thirty-two percent of female victims and sixteen percent of male victims were injured during the sexual assault. Although the majority of sexual assault cases involve male perpetrators and female victims, five percent of reported rapes involve male victims. Studies show that more than fifty percent of female victims and seventy percent of male victims were raped before their eighteenth birthday (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Rape is the most common crime on college campuses today, and it is also considered the most underreported crime. The college and high school years have been found to be the years when women are most vulnerable, as most rape cases are reported between the ages of 16 and 24. Women are raped at a significantly higher rate than men, but men are more likely to do it. report unwanted sexual contact. Less than five percent of women who are assaulted report it to the police. About twenty-five percent of female students and about ten percent of male college students reported being victims of rape. A recent study at two- and four-year universities found an average of 35 rapes per 1,000 female students over seven months (Sampson). The experience of rape can have a colossal impact on a person's life. “Experiencing rape can completely change a person's life,” says Camtu Walker,sexual assault consultant at the SAFE Wilkes shelter, in an interview. “The victim is being violated in more ways than one.” Although rape victims frequently report injuries and concerns about their reproductive health, rape does not always involve physical force. However, that doesn't make it any less of a mutilation. The most common consequences of rape involve mental health problems and loss of social confidence. Rape is a horrible crime with horrible consequences, and a person who has been raped will usually experience many physical, social, and psychological changes (Joyful Heart Foundation). Rape is a crime that violates the body and brings many physical harms to the forefront. Forced sexual assault often causes visible bruising or bleeding, and victims are more likely to experience digestive problems, seizures, and more intense premenstrual symptoms after experiencing sexual assault. Migraines are very common, as well as arthritis of the pelvis or back. It is also possible that the victim could contract a sexually transmitted disease, leading to other physical health problems (Gluck). One of the major physical consequences of rape is pregnancy. In “Fertility and Sterility,” the journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, it was reported that the risk of pregnancy from rape is the same as the risk of pregnancy from consensual sex: 5 percent. More than 32,000 pregnancies result from rape each year, and more than eighty percent of them result in abortion (ASRM). Rape is very traumatic and it is often difficult for the victim to keep the baby. It serves as a living reminder of the incident, and the condition is complicated. Therefore, this increases abortion rates. Those who are raped are very susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). During forced sexual interaction, abrasions and cuts frequently occur, making it easier to transmit STDs. The most common is HIV/AIDS, which is transmitted through contact with blood. In a study by the National Violence Against Women Survey, 30% of women who were raped reported contracting an STD (see Figure 1 on the next page). Studies of women in shelters have shown that women who experience sexual abuse from intimate partners are much more likely to contract an STD. On a social level, experiencing sexual assault will have a huge impact on its victims. Victims may suffer from strained relationships with family, friends and intimate partners. Even if the rape is committed without the victim's consent, the victim may feel guilty or ashamed about the incident. They may distance themselves from others, become introverted and averse to public activities. Often, victims are disconnected from their usual routine for a long period of time after the rape. They may avoid anything that might remind them of the incident. Their trust value will be damaged which can also lead to broken relationships. Research has also shown that those who have been victims of rape are less likely to marry afterward (Centers for Disease Control and Protection). A major social consequence that can be observed in today's society is called "victim blaming." Instead of condemning the rapists for the incident, society places the blame on the victim. They may say the victim was “asking for it” by dressing provocatively, engaging in promiscuity, or drinking excessively. Many people look for a way to blame the victim because it reinforces their belief that they are not.