Sexual Violence is typically considered a personal problem—something that happens between two (or occasionally more) people, usually outside of public view, and explained simply by the perpetrator's moral or psychological shortcomings. We know many personal problems can have social roots as well.
Sexual Violence is an incredibly tricky to understand, in part because its recognition as a social problem is highly controversial. Many people consider sexual assault as "normal" sexual behavior between men and women. Sexual Violence is notoriously underreported and under-prosecuted. Even the definition of sexual assault is hotly contested—no two states have similar sexual assault reports, and most states' sexual assault laws are continually evolving. For these reasons, the definition of sexual assault can be difficult to pinpoint. I consider sexual assault to be any loss of physical autonomy through unwanted actions of a sexual nature. This definition includes sexual activity forced through physical violence and sexual activity caused by incapacitation, coercion, and other power disparities. It includes not only rape but also any unwanted sexual touch. Similarly, gender-based violence includes sexual violence and different types of crimes in which adult victims are selected based on their genders, such as intimate partner violence, stalking, and kidnapping.
The reasons which are contributing largest to this cause are as followed:
Demographic & Political Reasons:
In countries where women's status is low, the pervasiveness of Sexual Violence against women is higher. Consequently, sexual violence is related to higher levels of angst among women relative to men. In comparison, in countries where women's status is high, sexual Violence against women is lower. Sexual Violence against women and girls in South Africa is now sighted as a national catastrophe. Far too many women and girls have experienced Violence, predominantly from their intimate partners.
Pornography:
For many young folks, pornography has become the default sex educator. Children and young people encounter pornography in more significant numbers, at younger ages, and with a broader variety of content, influencing young folk's sexual lives. Research evidence shows porn has harmful impacts on young people and adults alike. Some consequences are deeply troubling, particularly pornography's contribution to sexual Violence. Pornography instructs sexist and sexually objectifying understandings of gender and sexuality. To point out, in a randomized experimental study among young men in Denmark, access to (nonviolent) pornography led to less democratic attitudes and higher hostile sexism levels. And in a longitudinal study among US adolescents, increased use of pornography predicted more sexist attitudes for girls two years later. Pornography also teaches violent attitudes and behaviors to both adolescents and adults. Research shows that men who watch pornography are more likely to practice or desire dominant, degrading practices, such as gagging and choking. In a US study, people who watched violent pornography were more than six times as likely to engage in sexually aggressive behavior.
Ineffectiveness of Anti-Rape Devices:
Crime prevention initiatives targeting sexual Violence are by no means new. But as technology advances and costs decrease, we see an abundance of digital and technological strategies emerge.
An invisible anti-groping stamp sold out within an hour of its launch in Japan. The stamp can be used by victims to mark someone who gropes them on public transport. This mark can only be seen when a black light (that comes with the device) is cast over it. But are apps, wearables, and virtual reality programs, reducing incidents, improving safety, or transforming responses to harm?
Problematic Perspectives:
Assaults on public transports and in public spaces are unquestionably a serious problem. Butconsidering on the "unknown" danger from strangers can take away focus from the extreme level of sexual violence executed by acquaintances, friends, dates, and intimate partners - often in private places. The term "date rape" is sometimes used to define acquaintance rape. Perpetrators of acquaintance rape might be a date, but they could also be a classmate, a neighbor, a friend's significant other, or many different roles. It's essential to remember that dating, instances of past intimacy, or other acts like kissing do not give someone consent for continued sexual contact.
Less Stringent Laws:
After The nationwide public outcry, in 2012, following the December 16 gang rape and murder in Delhi, popularly known as the Nirbhaya case, led to the passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act in 2013, which widened the definition of rape and made punishment more stringent. Parliament made the amendments; the 2013 Act, which came into effect on April 2, 2013, increased jail terms in most sexual assault cases and provided for the death penalty in rape cases that cause the victim's death or leaves her in a vegetative state.
The impact of Sexual Violence expands far beyond the assault itself. Sociologists have also considered how social structures shape victims' experiences with institutions designed to help them, such as shelters, hospitals, police, and courts, but often end up re-victimizing instead. This is a severe cause that often gets neglected. We can't just sit and watch and see women and girls getting raped every day. Rape cases in India aren't new to anyone; from the case of Nirbhaya to Hathrass case, we just can't lit the candles and march on the streets, and the government can't establish committees to find the real miscreants while these demons satisfy their lust by taking innocent girls' lives every day. This has to be stopped. Government has to take action unless we have to.
Piece By:
Prerna Mishra
An observant city dweller, foraging for exotic endeavours in the mundane metropolis.
Economics, Panic, Dancing to misogynist Ed Sheeran songs, Skies and Spotify, Artsy corners in the city and book recommendations. That's the recipe.
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