Pornography may be to blame for unrealistic sexual expectations and a general desensitization of sex, but it is not to blame for rape.

Pornography, a glamorized, graphic and animated depiction of sex is blamed for many things. Strained relationships, jealousy, insecurity and addiction are a few. There is a marked difference between sex and rape.

Rape is a violent crime that is carried out sexually. The perpetrator overpowers their victims sexually thereby gaining control. The motivation for such an act comes from a broken mind, a person who was abused or mistreated.

Substance abuse, scantily clad women, mixed messages and come-hither looks are not the causes of rape. Many people think that women who go out late or dress too sexily are targets for rape. The truth is rape victims could be of any gender, size, or color. Rapes don't always happen in dark alleys or abandoned parking lots.

Rape is a carefully premeditated crime, intended to seek revenge or punishment. Most rapists don't appear dangerous or different from other people. They take great care in how they present themselves so they can entrap their victims. Many rapists case their victims for several weeks. They choose someone who resembles a person who abused or hurt them and use that person as a means to find justice.

The problem is that the rapist is only satisfied temporarily and needs to continue raping to self medicate. The underlying problem is complex and requires years of therapy and rehabilitation.

Rape is a difficult crime to comprehend and it's easier for people to find reasons for it rather than to face the truth. The truth is that a rapist is a dangerously mentally ill person. They may also self medicate with alcohol or drugs which is why people think that substance abuse is the cause of rape.

Even if a healthy, mentally stable person drinks too much and watches dirty movies all night, they are not going to be more likely to commit rape. Pornography may elicit sexual frustration in some people, but sexual frustration has nothing to do with sex crimes.

The motivation to rape is within the mind of the rapist.

Learn more about this author, S.E. Whitbeck.
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