Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Issues of Invasion
So my coworkers and I were having a discussion about rape today. It all started with a discussion of former Rep. Foley and went from there. It was kind of interesting. I posited my theory that rapists, paticularly repeat offenders, should be castrated so they can't commit that crime again. My supervisor (a male) thought that violent rape and rape that occurs while the woman is alseep or drugged or otherwise mentally impared should have different punishments, with the punishment for violent rape being more severe. I thought otherwise. He said that with violent rape, the victim is more likely to be physically injured. Now this part I agreed with. I, however, think that I would almost rather be violently raped than date raped. At least with the violent rape, you have a chance to fight, to do something. It's probably a stranger. I mean, think of all the mental issues involved with date rape. Someone you at least quasi-trust has not only invaded your body, but also your mind. You wouldn't have the horrible fight memories or (possibly) the physical scars. I think, though, that the emotional scars from date rape might balance the scales. CW (also a female) somewhat agreed. Is this a girl versus guy thing? Is it that my supervisor will never be put in either situation, but might be attacked and so understands that side better?
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9 comments:
What is the punishment to be if the rapist is a woman?
What is to be done if a castrated man goes out and rapes someone again?
Rape doesn't require a penis, only a sick mind. People seem to forget this.
Medroxyprogesterone (chemical castration) is inconclusive. It renders the subject incapable of erection, but it doesn't remove the drive. He would still be capable of sexual assault using other objects.
Not to mention, have you heard of the term "impotent rage"?
You need to think a little harder and do a bit more research before you spout off your "opinions".
How does an opinion morph into an "opinion"?
Wow. I will say that this rape conversation is probably quite a bit more. . .thoughtful than most of the at work rape conversations I've heard. But at the risk of sounding HR preachy I definitely think there's room for some sort of guest speaker or something.
I wouldn't be so concerned if it's a girl vs. guy thing (although I can see where that would be interesting) as I would with the assumption that one kind of rape is better than the other or should be more or less punishable than another. Those kind of attitudes are what make it more difficult for either "kind" of rape victim aahieve any sort of justice and solice. I think you could possibly have a really amazing conversation if you brought someone who had been raped into the conversation. Not that one rape victim speaks for all, but it would add an interesting (and probably enlightening) addition to the conversation.
first off, leaving comments like the ones above without signing them is extremely immature and a sign that whomever left them doesn't have confidence to support them.
secondly, i agree with elizabeth when she said that no rape is better than another. rape is rape and should be punished equally and harshly. the two things that should effect how harshly is whether this is a repeat offender (a serial rapist, if you will) or if it's a kid. i believe in chemical castration for pedophiles and serial rapists. i do believe that most rapists can be "fixed", i.e. that a stint in jail and therapy can show them what they've done wrong. also, it's extremely rare that women rape but society does need to look at it and figure out a punishment.
alright. off my soapbox.
whitney
Anonymous1: First of all, something like 98% of all adult rape victims are women. While men are sexually abused, physically it's a little more difficult.
Anonymous2: "Impotent rage" would indicate that you are angry about something and can't do anything about it. I don't particularly care if a rapist is angry, as long as he can't do anything about it.
And yes, the drive to hurt might still be there. They can still hurt people and it won't stop attacks. At least, though, it will stop one form of them.
As for my opinions (I refuse to use the quotations as they are indeed my opinions and therefore don't need them), this is my blog. I can spout off whatever opinions I want, whether or not they are well-thought out. I think this one is something I have thought out. But if I want to put forth the opinion that the sky is indeed red, that we have just been hoodwinked into thinking it's blue, I can.
Anonymous3: I was wondering that myself.
elizabeth: That's really more what I was saying, at least at the beginning of the office discussion. That all rapes are horrible and really, should be treated equally. My supervisor's view, I think, was more that in date rape, there could theoretically be crossed lines of communication. I don't buy that myself. And I agree that someone with personal experience would have a much more educated viewpoint here. Honestly, it would be interesting to talk to different people with different experiences. Well, interesting in a kind of gruesome, "rips your heart out" way.
Whit: I knew you'd comment on this one. And the whole punishment of female rapists is a hard question. (There is a REALLY funny scene with female rapists in Oreo. And I know it's wrong that a rape scene is funny, but you'd enjoy it.) But seriously. Besides locking them up, what can you really do?
you know me too well, dear. this is one of my buttons. i had someone try to tell me this week that women should know better than to be in situations where they could get raped, like walking alone at night or drinking too much with guy friends. putting blame on the victims - that's just fabulous (not really). rape is one of those subjects that can never be discussed without anger and without complete ignorant fucktards opening their mouths...
-whit
I always wondered why we have premeditated murder (and a significantly great punishment) and don't have premeditated rape (the random rapist scenario). Why do we make that distinction between types of murder (premeditated/passionate) but refuse to do it for rape. Just a thought.
Whit: Of course I know you... I mean, come on. And I think I would smack the guy who said that. While women should be smart about things like walking home at night alone, it is in no way the victim's fault...
Anonymous4: It seems like it's harder to make a "passionate" plea for rape. Which, let's face it, is a bit ironic. But you can get really mad at someone and kill them in the heat of the moment. For rape, would the emotion be lust, or anger? I mean, I guess if a man raped his wife, it could be in anger. I don't know. It just seems strange to me. Interesting, but strange.
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