Rape is a crime which involves a sexual assault by a person on another person without the latters consent. In extension to it, there is a term AcquaintanceDate Rape which refers to rape that take place between people who are known to each other through a social interaction. While it is difficult to convict a rape criminal, its even more difficult to prosecute a person for AcquaintanceDate Rape as there is subjectivity involved in determining the consent and expectations of either person who gets involved in AcquaintanceDate rape. The reason for this subjectivity is our society that is both obsessed as well as uncomfortable with sexuality. In a research conducted, of the men who were identified to have committed date rape, 75 had consumed alcohol or drugs (Koss, 1988).
As the earlier reforms werent sufficient to distinguish AcquaintanceDate Rape from Traditional rape, it was difficult for the criminal justice system to prosecute the perpetrator who has been convicted. However, now there is a statute in place which accurately labels and recognizes perpetrator to be a man who is a friendacquaintance to the woman. This statute increases the onus on the man as it covers a manifestation which says that it may be difficult for an intoxicated woman to communicate her consent. With this, AcquaintanceDate Rape is acknowledged as a crime in spite of a relationship and this comprehensive statute has defined this offense such that it clearly distinguishes it from Traditional Rape. This distinction between the two also helps in deciding appropriate punishment for the crime depending upon how heinous it is instead of generalizing the two as Rape. Acquaintance Rape needs to be recognized by the criminal justice system for the crime it is so that it can be sufficiently dealt with.
The repercussions on the victim of such an incident are high as in this case they feel that they could have avoided the sexual assault if they hadnt ignored the time when it was coming. At this point in time the victim tries to seek a confidant amongst its family and friends but it doesnt work as they question the survivor for her decisions of drinking at the date or for bringing the perpetrator back to the apartment which could have led to this deed. There are still societies in the world who are not ready to understand the victims situation they still believe that the victim is responsible as they must have provoked the assault.
The consequences and implications of AcquaintanceDate Rape are far-reaching. Other than the physical consequences such as injury, pregnancy, abortion etc the emotional impact is graver as a victim may have to deal with depression and anxiety in other subsequent relationships. After the rape has taken place, the survivor is left with an option to report it to the police. As derived from the survey (Koss, 1988), only 2 survivors reported their experience to the police because they themselves feel that they are guilty for having invited a sexual assault post a drink during a date or through provocative dressingsignals. The other reasons for not reporting it to the police are the interrogation apprehensions and the low prosecution rates of acquaintancedate rapists.
Instead, the survivors should deal with this by accepting the incident as rape and by disclosing it to others with an intention to educate others about AcquaintanceDate Rape and the ways to prevent it.
As the earlier reforms werent sufficient to distinguish AcquaintanceDate Rape from Traditional rape, it was difficult for the criminal justice system to prosecute the perpetrator who has been convicted. However, now there is a statute in place which accurately labels and recognizes perpetrator to be a man who is a friendacquaintance to the woman. This statute increases the onus on the man as it covers a manifestation which says that it may be difficult for an intoxicated woman to communicate her consent. With this, AcquaintanceDate Rape is acknowledged as a crime in spite of a relationship and this comprehensive statute has defined this offense such that it clearly distinguishes it from Traditional Rape. This distinction between the two also helps in deciding appropriate punishment for the crime depending upon how heinous it is instead of generalizing the two as Rape. Acquaintance Rape needs to be recognized by the criminal justice system for the crime it is so that it can be sufficiently dealt with.
The repercussions on the victim of such an incident are high as in this case they feel that they could have avoided the sexual assault if they hadnt ignored the time when it was coming. At this point in time the victim tries to seek a confidant amongst its family and friends but it doesnt work as they question the survivor for her decisions of drinking at the date or for bringing the perpetrator back to the apartment which could have led to this deed. There are still societies in the world who are not ready to understand the victims situation they still believe that the victim is responsible as they must have provoked the assault.
The consequences and implications of AcquaintanceDate Rape are far-reaching. Other than the physical consequences such as injury, pregnancy, abortion etc the emotional impact is graver as a victim may have to deal with depression and anxiety in other subsequent relationships. After the rape has taken place, the survivor is left with an option to report it to the police. As derived from the survey (Koss, 1988), only 2 survivors reported their experience to the police because they themselves feel that they are guilty for having invited a sexual assault post a drink during a date or through provocative dressingsignals. The other reasons for not reporting it to the police are the interrogation apprehensions and the low prosecution rates of acquaintancedate rapists.
Instead, the survivors should deal with this by accepting the incident as rape and by disclosing it to others with an intention to educate others about AcquaintanceDate Rape and the ways to prevent it.
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