Victim Blaming In Rape Case: Effects,Behavioral and Situational Factors and Rape Myth Acceptance
Jasmeen Binti Mohd RawiInternational Islamic University Malaysia
Writing Skills HSA 0364
February 13, 2018
INTRODUCTION
Issues:
In society nowadays, people blame a victim to distance themselves from an unpleasant event and thereby confirm their own invulnerability to the risk. Others can see the victim as different from themselves by categorizing or accusing the victim. The aim of this essay is to help people understand that this is not the right response.
According to the Ministry of Justice (2013) statistics reveal that one in five women become a victim of rape or attempted at some point in their lives, and every year, approximately 85,000 women are reported as a victim of rape.
Rape culture is a situation in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media. Out of the frying pan, into the fire, the rape victim is held entirely or partially responsible for the harm that fall upon them.
Thesis Statement: The problematic links between the effects of blaming rape victim, behavioral and situational factors and rape myth acceptance are discussed.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Topic Sentence: Firstly, rape victim should not be blamed because this makes the victim harder to come forward and report the abuse due to the fear of being blamed by the society for the abuse.
Evidence: It has been assumed that there are diverse reasons why victims abstain from reporting this crime, including the fear of indignity (Gunn & Linden, 1997) and by a belief that perpetrators will not be prosecuted due to its complexity (Chapleau, Oswald, & Russel, 2008; Bohner, Eyssel, Pina, Siebler, & Viki, 2009).
Opposing: Nevertheless, some argued that many women who report rapes are lying because they feel resentful and want to get back at the man they accuse. (Briones, 2009).
Rebuttal: Rape victim might not report the crime or decide to end their life owing to fear of injustice for their dignity. Rape is something that is women afraid of, and from a young age they are socialized to alter their behaviors in order to reduce their risk of getting raped also learning that society is at risk of victim blaming. (Veerd, n.d.)
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Topic Sentence: Besides, blaming the rape victim strongly affects the country’s criminal justice system, influencing both the outcomes of rape trials and the treatment of rape victims.Evidence: Many argued that the criminal justice system’s persecution of rape survivors is necessary because women often lie about rape (Palmatier, 2013); however, studies show that only between two and eight percent of rape accusation are false (Lisak, Gardinier, Nicksa, & Cote, 2010).
Opposing: However, rape victims are blamed by being assumed that they deserve their misfortune, which gives people a sense of control, order, and justice (Grubb & Harrower, 2008)
Rebuttal: Perpetrators wish to have control, power and privilege over their victims to excuse their behavior to avoid punishment and maintain their freedom to abuse in the future. (Schoellkopf, 2012)
References
Briones, R. E. (2009) Rape attitudes and beliefs: A replication study. Graduate Theses and Dissertations, 19-71. Retrieved from http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1876
Schoellkopf, J. C. (2012) Victim-Blaming: A New Term for an Old Trend. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Center, 33. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/glbtc/33
Southern Connecticut State University. (n.d.). Rape Culture, Victim Blaming, and The Facts. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.southernct.edu/sexual-misconduct/facts.html” http://www.southernct.edu/sexual-misconduct/facts.html
Turner, E., & Grubb, A. R. (2012). Attribution of blame in rape cases: A review of the impact of rape myth acceptance, gender role conformity and substance use on victim blaming. Aggression and Violent Behavior. doi: 10.1016/j.avb.2012.06.002
van der Bruggen, M. and Grubb, A.R. (2014) A review of the literature relating to rape victim blaming: An analysis of the impact of observer and victim characteristics on attribution of blame in rape cases. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19 (5), 523-531. doi: 10.1016/j.avb.2014.07.008
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Topic Sentence: In addition, it is not the rape victim’s fault or responsibility to get into the calamity just since the victim’s appearance and clothing but the abuser’s choice.
Evidence: Many rape victims have been blamed by their rapists who claim the woman was asking for it judging from her clothing or behavior (Anderson ; Accomando 24-28)Opposing: Early research on this topic mainly focused on characterological and behavioral of victim characteristics that make observers more likely to blame victims for their own misfortune, with these variables leading to negative rape blame attributions (Grubb ; Turner, 2012)
Rebuttal: People cannot measure someone’s willingness to engage in sex based on “how he/she looked at you” or “how they were dressed”. The blaming normally heard directly declares that in order to avoid being harassed or raped women should dress and behave in a certain way also being careful about where they go. (Schoellkopf, 2012)
CONCLUSION
Restatement of Thesis Statement: To conclude, rape victims should not be blamed because this makes a victim harder to come forward and report also since it strongly affects the country’s criminal justice system, influencing both the outcomes of rape trials and the treatment of rape victims including it is not the rape victim’s fault or responsibility to get into the tragedy.
Opinion: Hence, I believe that if the rape victims are not easily blamed then the life in society would be safer from rape crimes. Furthermore, the coming generation would be more likely to respect people and will try their best to avoid crimes.
