Uncover the Mythical Shroud of Date Rape
By Ryan Round
It cannot be denied that much of present concept and reactions towards date rape have been shaped by the myths surrounding it. In fact, much of the blame for date rape has been aimed at the wrong direction largely because of these myths. It becomes crucial therefore for us to break through this shroud to arrive at a better-informed understanding of the phenomenon.
One of the most basic reasons for propagating myths about date rape is to pass the blame to the victim instead of the attacker. A lot of men who are guilty of date rape excuse themselves by citing these false beliefs. What is appalling is that a lot of people have come to believe these untruths.
A common and prevailing myth about date rape is that women who have been raped implied that they wanted to have sexual intercourse. Their implied communication may come in the form of wearing revealing clothing and partying and drinking uncontrollably. Some men may think that a woman who is so liberal in her demeanor and behavior is also automatically open to the idea of sexual intercourse. This is of course a twisted notion. In today’s modern age, women should not have to be afraid of what they wear and do. Women should be able to dress up in sexy clothing and feel good, not anxious, about themselves.
Some may also maintain that men cannot control their sexual urges in the presence of sexy, flirtatious women. This argument is a stab on the men themselves. It is our pride as an evolved species to be better than our animal predecessors. Allowing yourself to be controlled by your sexual urge is the same as allowing yourself to go down the evolutionary and moral ladder. Human beings are capable of control and, ultimately, respect. Reigning in your urges in deference to your date’s wishes is a form of respect.
There is also the idea that there is no instance of rape if there was no weapon of if the woman did not struggle. What many do not realize is that guns and knives are not the only available weapons to a rapist. Verbal threats may also be something that can be used against a victim. Even if however, there was no threat and there were no weapons and the victim seemed to have complied, it may still be considered a case of rape. It doesn’t mean that just because a woman doesn’t protest to the sexual act that she consented to it. Women who may have had too much to drink may have been too dazed to even realize that the level of intimacy was already progressing to a higher level. There are also those who are fully aware of what’s being done to them but are too shocked to put up a fight.
Another common myth has something to do with how rapists look like and where they commit the crime. The stereotype of a rapist is that of a stranger waiting in the dark for a potential victim. Date rape however, is what it is precisely because it does not subscribe to stereotype. Your rapist may be the good-looking guy you’re sitting across from and he may be your friend, boyfriend or even your husband. As long as sexual intercourse is performed without consent, it is considered rape regardless of who did it to you.
It is crucial at this point in time to address the common myths surrounding date rape and break them. It is a form of freedom to be able to decide what we want to do.
About The Author
Ryan is a leading expert in revealing how to do amazing mentalism and magic tricks even if you have no experience in magic.
