Page 200 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes

The rape victims mutely tolerate the crime committed against them because of
the social stigma. Fear of losing the job, concern about supporting the family
and children, too, compel them to bear in silence.

Dr. Ahuja studied the rape victims of Rajasthan and found that the incidents of rape do not
always occur amongst strangers. The act of rape may be committed by one man or a group of
men. The rape victims are lured with money and are pressurized verbally.

Most of the rape victims were in the age group of 15 to 20 years. Most of the
rapists were in the age group of 23 to 30years. Thus, it can be said that age
has been an important factor in rape cases and the stage of youth has been
a motivational factor.

On studying cases related to rape, the social scholars have come to the following conclusion:
1. It is an incorrect notion that a women cannot be a victim of rape if she fights back.
2. It is wrong to think that only good looking women are victims of rape.
3. It is absurd to believe that the rape victims actually enjoy the act.
4. It is not right to say that most of the rapists are mentally disturbed.
5. It is not correct to believe that most of the rapes happen on their own and are not pre-
planned.
6. It is not correct to think that rapes happen because of excessive sex drive and also because
of sense of superiority and power.
7. There is no co-relation between excessive sex drive and rape.
Since the last few years, the women’s organisation in the West have been active in changing the
people’s attitude and legal approach towards rape. They stress that rape should be considered
a violent crime and not a sexual offence. It is not a mere physical assault but an assault on an
individual’s esteem and dedication.
The campaign had an effect, as a result of which in many Western countries, today rape has been
legally accepted as a special form of criminal violence. A women’s organisation in America has
suggested some ways to avoid rape. They are:
1. Make you home extremely safe. The doors and windows should be in working condition.
In case you move to another house, replace/change the locks too.
2. If you stay alone, act as if more than one person stays there. Show as if there are men too, in
the house. In case someone knocks at the door, say aloud you stay in the room, I will open
the door.
3. Instead of writing your full name on the door, use abbreviations such as S.K. Agarwal
instead of Santosh Kumari Agarwal.
4. Stay away from strangers, and do not open the door to them.
5. Don’t stay , alone in deserted houses.
6. Don’t roam around alone in lanes or universities.
7. Keep with you, objects like arms, lighter, Knife, fork and whistle. Roam around in a group,
not alone.

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