Rape

Rape This paper will focus on the social and cultural conditions that intensify or perpetuate rape. The causes and reasons for rape are deeply entrenched in our social structure. We can explore some of the motivations and circumstances which lead men to rape. We have learned that some men rape out of anger and a need to overpower, dominate, and humiliate. We can also look at some of the historical attitudes from which today's beliefs …

…one reason for the incredibly low conviction rate of rapists. Our criminal justice system reflects the prevailing societal attitude that women are partially responsible for rape. Consequently, juries rarely find a man charged with rape as guilty. Rape must be viewed as a political issue, not just another crime or mental health problem. It must be seen as an issue which affects all women. Rape is not just a women's problem--it is a community problem.