Date Rape and Acquaintance Rape Essays -- The Tragedy of Date Rape

Date misdemeanour is not a r are incident. Surveys indicate that in 84% of rape cases, the victim knows the attacker, and 57% of rapes occur on dates (Warshaw 11). However, what is level off more surprising than these high statistics is that most incidents of date rape go un business relationshiped. some(prenominal) theories exist that fork up to explain this phenomenon. For example, adult maley women whitethorn refuse to retrieve that their friend raped them. In fact, they could eventually convince themselves that it never exceeded. Additionally, there is wonder following the attack in which memory and emotions become mixed up. When alcohol or drugs are involved, the women may have no memory of the attack whatsoever. hitherto if the victim does remember the attack, they could be left with a sense that they permit themselves be taken advantage of. In cases such as this, the victim may blame them self instead of the attacker. The shame involved in both being battered by or hurting someone we care for makes it life-threatening to tell anyone, even those closest to us. People in abusive relationships a good deal work hard at making it seem as if nothing is wrong. They try to convince themselves and others that its not really that bad, or that it doesnt happen all the time. (Hicks 18)Additionally, societal perceptions dictate that a woman should know how to set limits, and that they are responsible for their own actions. Many women, thinking cover charge on their inner experiences, depart respond affirmatively when asked the question mother you ever had sex with a man when you didnt want to, because he used physical force against you? save at the same time offer a firm no when asked Have you ever been raped? (Bender 10-11)While victims of date rape rarely report the crime, the psychological effects are just as bad as if a stranger raped them. Since fewer women seek counseling or sermon for date rape than for rape by a stranger, the effects can b e even more severe. In recent years, public attention has been bony to the prevalence of date rape through the media and researchers. However, many believe that date rape is still the most widely under-reported crime. (Warshaw 11-14)Date rape has existed for as grand as recorded history. In fact a date rape is expound in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 13 1-15) committed by Amnon, boy of Kind David. Despite its long history, public awareness and attention has not been draw ... ...sion.Educators choose to ignore the reality that acquaintance rape happens in subordinate highs, senior highs, and colleges across the country. Moreover, some school officials find it easier to punt the problem back to uninformed parents rather than risk calling attention to a workable negative situation in their own institutions. (Warshaw 169)Often, parents are reluctant to consider that their sinless child could commit date rape or could put themself in a position to be date raped. However, if these at titudes are changed and teachers and parents begin to educate teenage people about date rape, the prevalence of date rape will begin to drop drastically.Works CitedBender, David Date despoil San Diego Greenhaven Press, 2008Hicks, John Dating madness Brookfield Millbrook Press, 2007Lindquist, Scott The Date Rape Prevention Book Naperville Sourcebooks, 2012Mufson, Susan Straight Talk near Date Rape unfermented York Facts On File, 2009Parrot, Andrea Date Rape & Acquaintance Rape New York Rosen Publishing Group,2008Thornhill, Randy. The History of Rape. Cambridge MIT Press, 2012Warshaw, Robin. I Never Called It Rape New York Harper & Row, 1994 Date Rape and Acquaintance Rape Essays -- The Tragedy of Date RapeDate rape is not a rare incident. Surveys indicate that in 84% of rape cases, the victim knows the attacker, and 57% of rapes occur on dates (Warshaw 11). However, what is even more surprising than these high statistics is that most incidents of date rape go un reported. Several theories exist that try to explain this phenomenon. For example, many women may refuse to believe that their friend raped them. In fact, they could eventually convince themselves that it never happened. Additionally, there is confusion following the attack in which memory and emotions become mixed up. When alcohol or drugs are involved, the women may have no memory of the attack whatsoever. Even if the victim does remember the attack, they could be left with a sense that they let themselves be taken advantage of. In cases such as this, the victim may blame them self instead of the attacker. The shame involved in either being battered by or hurting someone we care for makes it hard to tell anyone, even those closest to us. People in abusive relationships often work hard at making it seem as if nothing is wrong. They try to convince themselves and others that its not really that bad, or that it doesnt happen all the time. (Hicks 18)Additionally, societal perceptions dictate that a woman should know how to set limits, and that they are responsible for their own actions. Many women, thinking back on their sexual experiences, will respond affirmatively when asked the question Have you ever had sex with a man when you didnt want to, because he used physical force against you? but at the same time offer a firm no when asked Have you ever been raped? (Bender 10-11)While victims of date rape rarely report the crime, the psychological effects are just as bad as if a stranger raped them. Since fewer women seek counseling or treatment for date rape than for rape by a stranger, the effects can be even more severe. In recent years, public attention has been drawn to the prevalence of date rape through the media and researchers. However, many believe that date rape is still the most widely under-reported crime. (Warshaw 11-14)Date rape has existed for as long as recorded history. In fact a date rape is described in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 13 1-15) committ ed by Amnon, son of Kind David. Despite its long history, public awareness and attention has not been drawn ... ...sion.Educators choose to ignore the reality that acquaintance rape happens in junior highs, senior highs, and colleges across the country. Moreover, some school officials find it easier to punt the problem back to uninformed parents rather than risk calling attention to a possible negative situation in their own institutions. (Warshaw 169)Often, parents are reluctant to consider that their perfect child could commit date rape or could put themself in a position to be date raped. However, if these attitudes are changed and teachers and parents begin to educate young people about date rape, the prevalence of date rape will begin to drop drastically.Works CitedBender, David Date Rape San Diego Greenhaven Press, 2008Hicks, John Dating Violence Brookfield Millbrook Press, 2007Lindquist, Scott The Date Rape Prevention Book Naperville Sourcebooks, 2012Mufson, Susan Straight T alk About Date Rape New York Facts On File, 2009Parrot, Andrea Date Rape & Acquaintance Rape New York Rosen Publishing Group,2008Thornhill, Randy. The History of Rape. Cambridge MIT Press, 2012Warshaw, Robin. I Never Called It Rape New York Harper & Row, 1994