Oral Presentations
Grab Her By the Dignity: Why Rape is Not the Same as a Punch in the Face
Location
Room 208, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
16
Start Date
4-10-2019 2:45 PM
End Date
4-10-2019 3:00 PM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Criminology
Abstract
Through the metamorphosis of society, certain patterns and trends of deviance persist despite eras of rapid social change; the crime of rape is one which succeeds in remaining endemic. The culture of rape is evolving with society, increasing in prevalence as the topic of rape is addressed more readily in the media; yet social and legal responses to rape remain static, resulting in a lack of ethical treatment to such damaging events. This potentially stems from preconceived societal notions of sexual acts, as well as the sexualization of the female body and ingrained beliefs that rape should not be discussed, especially at the expense of the offender’s future and reputation. This study aims to analyze society’s interpretation of morality of sexual acts, consulting consent theory in examination of rape and rape culture, in order to respond to current precedent involving rape and promote social change for future legal cases. The results of this study found that the oversexualization of female bodies, the concept of virginity, and common social response to women as opposed to men on the topic of sexual acts serve as social catalysts for rape culture. Rape affects more than just physical wellbeing but also emotional, mental, and, in some cases, financial. In cases of rape against men or non-heteronormative relations, the same concept applies as our culture has established how dignity is often related directly to sexual activity; penetration, especially when unwanted, can be viewed by society as degrading. This research matters because our society is plagued with misconceptions about what constitutes rape, how to respect the victim as opposed to apologizing for the offender, and often regards the sexual activity of females as negative.
Keywords: Rape, ethics, virginity, sexual consent, rape culture, sexual morality, sex ethics, case law, legal precedent
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Beth Savage Dr. Nick Frank
Rights Statement
The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.
Grab Her By the Dignity: Why Rape is Not the Same as a Punch in the Face
Room 208, Schewel Hall
Through the metamorphosis of society, certain patterns and trends of deviance persist despite eras of rapid social change; the crime of rape is one which succeeds in remaining endemic. The culture of rape is evolving with society, increasing in prevalence as the topic of rape is addressed more readily in the media; yet social and legal responses to rape remain static, resulting in a lack of ethical treatment to such damaging events. This potentially stems from preconceived societal notions of sexual acts, as well as the sexualization of the female body and ingrained beliefs that rape should not be discussed, especially at the expense of the offender’s future and reputation. This study aims to analyze society’s interpretation of morality of sexual acts, consulting consent theory in examination of rape and rape culture, in order to respond to current precedent involving rape and promote social change for future legal cases. The results of this study found that the oversexualization of female bodies, the concept of virginity, and common social response to women as opposed to men on the topic of sexual acts serve as social catalysts for rape culture. Rape affects more than just physical wellbeing but also emotional, mental, and, in some cases, financial. In cases of rape against men or non-heteronormative relations, the same concept applies as our culture has established how dignity is often related directly to sexual activity; penetration, especially when unwanted, can be viewed by society as degrading. This research matters because our society is plagued with misconceptions about what constitutes rape, how to respect the victim as opposed to apologizing for the offender, and often regards the sexual activity of females as negative.
Keywords: Rape, ethics, virginity, sexual consent, rape culture, sexual morality, sex ethics, case law, legal precedent