by will sprout

Created on: October 03, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

What exactly is rape?

Rape is regarded as a sexual assault, an assault which normally involves the sexual penetration of a man against either a woman or other man. Yet being classified as a sexual assault, sexual intercourse does not necessarily have to take place and a person can be raped without sexual penetration by a man occurring; women can also be guilty of rape. Rape is normally accepted as being, 'a sexual encounter without a person's consent.'

According to statistics of the U.S. Bureau of Justice it is estimated that 91% of all rape victims are female while the remaining 9% are male. The report continues that the biggest perpetration is conducted by the male population and covers 99% of all rape cases; the offence by women against men represents 1%. In all cases of rape, the offence will normally be committed by someone the victim knows; this covers 98% of all known cases.

What to do?

A sexual assault against someone will leave that person in a state of shock and shame, and many cases are not reported because of this. The person is made to feel guilty and dirty by the perpetrator and as the act involves the 'dominance' over someone else, then many victims believe that they were responsible for what happened.

But a victim is a victim; and it does not matter whether you believed you caused it or not; after you say 'no' the decision of what follows is taken out of your hands and you are manipulated and forced into submission.

The most important thing that you should be aware of is that, 'someone committed a crime against YOU.'

What you must understand is that you need professional assistance; this involves the assistance of medical, law enforcement and psychological bodies.

And in an instance such as this, you need the courage to face the offence and the authorities. This is probably the most difficult part of what you HAVE to do. You HAVE to get help and report the offence for several reasons. The main reason is YOU; your life has been violated and unless you seek the help you require then the offence will continue to dominate your life indefinitely. YOU may need medical treatment and the sympathetic understanding of a counsellor who will help YOU to come to terms with what happened, and where the responsibility lies.

The law enforcement agency should be informed because you have been victimised, abused and violated, and for them to prevent this from happening to someone else, by the same perpetrator, then they need YOUR help in finding him.

If someone is raped or sexually assaulted, or assaulted in any way, then the authorities need to be informed; that is why they are here, 'for us,' and under no circumstances wash yourself or change your clothes; you need to be strong and if you want an end to this nightmare then you must see it through.

All of the things to do are relevant in order for you to obtain the help you need, but if it happened you would be disorientated and unable to think of what to do. So the MAIN thing you should do is to go to someone close and to tell them what has happened and that you need them to help you. Because of your closeness this person will feel your pain and understand your anguish but they will not be afraid to do what is required; to get you the help you need.

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