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RAPE IN HUMAN SOCIETIES: CATEGORIES, CONSEQUENCES 

AND REMEDIES 

 

James Aruma Ilarious  

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria 

Email: jamesaruma17@gmail.com 

+234 (0) 9025418760 / +234 (0) 8147686089 

 

Abstract 

Rape in human societies today can be described as pandemic in the sense that 

it has affected many countries globally. Terms such as sexual assault or sexual 

violence are also used to describe it. Although sexual violence affect men and 

women, our concern in this study is to deal with sexual violence directed 

against women and girls. Apart from sexual gratification, sexual violence 

against women and girls comes as a result of unequal power equation between 

men and women and is equally influenced by cultural factors and values. 

Sexual violence in human societies has a profound impact on physical and 

mental health as well as causing physical injury. This sometimes is associated 

with increased risk of a range of sexual and reproductive health problems and 

complications, with both immediate and long-term consequences. Its impact 

on mental health can also be as serious as its physical impact, and may be 

equally long lasting. Sexual assault can also profoundly affect the social well-

being of victims; individuals may be stigmatized and ostracized by their 

families and others as a consequence. In war situations rape of women and 

girls is often used as a weapon of war, as form of attack on the enemy, 

typifying the conquest and degradation of its women or captured male 

fighters. While sexual violence can be directed against both men and women, 

the main focus of this study will be to examine rape/sexual violence against 

women and girls in human societies, the various categories of rape, 

consequences and the remedies to the problem.  

 

 Key Words: Rape, Human, Societies, Categories, Consequences, Remedies 

 

 

Introduction 
Rape by way of definition is the act of forcing sexual intercourse on a person 

without the victim’s will or consent. Wikipedia reiterate this same meaning 

stating that “Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual 

intercourse … carried out against a person without that person’s consent. The 

act may be carried out by physical force, abuse of authority or against a 

person who is incapable of giving consent, such as one who is unconscious, 

incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is below the legal age of 

(giving) consent”. According to Petra and Hedge (2003) however, “the term 

rape is sometimes used interchangeably with the term sexual assault”. Rape is 



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not about sex, it is an act of power by the rapist and it is always wrong and a 

crime. 

 

According to Kalra and Bhugra (2013) rape or sexual violence is profoundly 

negative and traumatic life event with widespread psychological and 

sociological effects on the victim irrespective of their gender. It often gives 

rise to a wide range of negative emotions, embarrassment, existential 

questions such as “Why me?” it increases feelings of helplessness and 

powerlessness in the victim affecting the person’s self-esteem and producing 

feelings which suggest that they may be vulnerable to further violence. It is 

likely that the fear of sexual assault in women will restrict their freedom and 

occupational opportunities and affect their long-term psychological well-

being.  

 

There is no society or a community in the world that does not experience rape 

cases. In western countries rape is rampant and it has almost become the 

culture of the people. Rape culture is an environment in which rape is 

prevalent and in which sexual violence against women and young girls is 

normalized and excused. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of 

misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and 

glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards 

women’s rights and safety. Rape affects every woman in the western countries 

just as in other places of the world. The rape of one woman is a degradation, 

terror and limitation to all women. Most women and girls limit their behaviour 

and live in fear because of the existence of rape. That is how rape functions as 

a powerful means by which the whole female population in some societies is 

held in a subordinate position to male population, even though many men do 

not rape and many women equally are never victims of rape. This cycle of 

fear is the legacy of rape culture in every society. 

 

Rape according to Muma (2019) “has become so prevalent in Africa that one 

might view it as a culture: a long-standing ‘way of life’, so prestigious to the 

perpetuator, but damning to the victim.” Rape is the unfortunate story of 

women and young girls, that it displays a very abusive aspect of the African 

culture. Most African societies have been accused of nurturing a rape culture 

for centuries under the guise of culture and tradition. Rape culture is viewed 

as a society in which rape is not only rampant, but also normalized due to 

societal attitudes regarding gender and sexuality. Most African societies being 

highly patriarchal, the obvious victims of such heinous crimes are young girls 

and women. Muma (2019) observes that: “In South Africa, the ritual known as 

‘Ukuthwala’ in Nguni community allows a young man …kidnap a girl or a 

young woman with the intention of forcing her family to initiate negotiations 

and approve the marriage.” Although similar practices were eventually banned 

in some local communities in Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, the ban is not 



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taken seriously and many men continue to carry out forced sexual intercourse 

with women and girls. 

 

In western countries including Europe, rape is seen as crime done to women 

and girls. However, most European countries still do not recognize in law that 

sex without consent is rape according to Amnesty International report on 

Elimination of Violence against Women, November 24, 2018. Although there 

are movements to inspire women to speak out their experiences, the sad fact is 

that rape remains hugely under-reported in Europe. This is because of 

women’s fear of not being heard or believed. According to recent survey from 

the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), one in twenty 

women in the EU have been raped since the age of 15 – about nine million 

women. Despite these shocking statistics, few European countries treat this 

crime as seriously as they should in law. Out of the 31 European countries 

covered in the Amnesty’s report, only Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Cyprus, 

Germany, Iceland,  Luxembourg, and Sweden define rape as sex without 

consent. Other countries mentioned in the report are: Austria, Bulgaria, 

Croatia, the Czechs Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, 

Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, 

Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. All these have 

legal definitions of rape based on force, coercion or victims’ inability to fight 

back. Although this is true, yet some countries categorize sex without consent 

as a separate, lesser offence, sending a strong message to people that ‘real 

rape’ only occurs when physical violence is used.     

 

Categories of Rape: 

Rape can be categorized in different ways. This categorization is based on the 

situation in which it occurs by the identity or characteristics of the victim and 

by the identity or characteristics of the perpetrator. These categories also form 

the types of rape. The types of rape described below are not mutually 

exclusive, for a given rape type can fit into multiple categories. For example, 

both prison rape and gang rape can both fit into one category just as both 

custodial rape and child rape can identify as one. It is important to explain 

each as listed below.    
 

 

Gang rape occurs when a group of people participate in the rape of a single 

victim. Rape involving at least two or more violators is widely reported to 

occur in many parts of the world. Ullman (1999) observes that offenders and 

victims in gang rape incidents are younger with a higher possibility of being 

unemployed. Gang rape often involves alcohol and drug use, physical attacks, 

less victim’s resistance and fewer use of weapons than individual rape. Along 

this line Gidycz, et al (1990) reveals that group sexual assaults are more 

violent and have greater resistance from the victim than that of individual 

sexual assault and that victims of such group sexual assault are more likely to 



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seek crisis and police services, contemplate suicide, and seek therapy than 

those involved in individual assault. 

 

The term ‘date rape’ according to Humphrey (1993) is used to refer to several 

types of rape, such as acquaintance rape, which is a non-domestic rape 

committed by someone who knows the victim; and drug facilitated sexual 

assault (DFSA), where the rapist intentionally drugs the victim with a date 

rape drug so as to incapacitate her. Acquaintance rape constitutes the vast 

majority of reported rapes, while DFSA is infrequent. Acquaintance rape can 

occur between two people who know one another usually in social situations, 

people who are dating as a couple and have had consensual sex in the past, 

people who are starting to date, people who are just friends and between 

acquaintances. In other words, it involves rapes of co-workers, schoolmates, 

family friends, teachers and other acquaintances provided they are dating, 

(Wikipedia, 2017). It is sometimes referred to as ‘hidden rape’ and has been 

identified as a growing problem in European societies. 
 

 

Child Rape according to Courtois (1988) is a form of child sexual abuse. 

When committed by another child (usually older or stronger) or adolescent, it 

is called child-on-child sexual abuse. When committed by a parent or other 

close relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, it is also incest and 

result in serious and long-term psychological trauma. When a child is raped 

by an adult who is not a family member but is a caregiver or in a position of 

authority over the child, such as school teachers, religious authorities, or 

therapists, to name a few, on whom the child is dependent, the effects can be 

similar to ancestral rape. 

 

Struckman, et al (2006) reports that prison rape affects between 3% and 12% 

of prison inmates in the US. Although prison rapes are more commonly same 

sex, Beck and Harrison ((2006) the attacker usually does not identify as 

homosexual. This phenomenon is much less common elsewhere in the world. 

This is partly because of the differences in the structure of the prison system 

in the US as compared to the prison systems in Canada, Australia, Europe and 

Africa. The attacker is most commonly another inmate. 
 

In the case of African prisons, rape cases may be common although it lacks 

advocacy. In South Africa for example, many cases have been reported, for 

instance, Vincent tells how he was raped by two gang members in an 

overcrowded cell in Western Cape facility while awaiting trial. This was his 

first sexual experience. He asked for help from nurses, wardens, Priests, social 

workers and even a magistrate, who he says did nothing to help him - some 

others were telling him to expect this treatment in prison. He only received 

medical attention three years later, when he was sentenced. He then learned 

that he was HIV– positive as a result of the rape, (Mail & Guardian 2015). 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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This is one out of many cases of this kind in African prisons which have not 

come to light because of less advocacy and recognition of human rights by our 

African Governments. 

 

‘Payback rape’, also called ‘punishment’ or ‘revenge rape’, is a form of rape 

specific to certain cultures, particularly the pacific Islands. It consists of the 

rape of female, usually by a group of several males, as a revenge for acts 

committed by members of her family, such as her father or brothers. The rape 

is meant to humiliate the father or brothers, as punishment for their prior 

behaviour towards the perpetrators (Media Headquarters, 2012). Payback rape 

is sometimes connected to tribal fighting, (amnest.org.au). 

 

War rapes are rapes committed by soldiers, other combatants or civilians 

during armed conflict, war or military occupation. It also covers the situation 

where girls and women are forced into prostitution or sexual slavery by an 

occupying army. During war, rape is used as a means of psychological 

warfare in order to humiliate the enemy and undermine their morale. Rapes in 

war are often systematic and thorough, and military leaders may actually 

encourage their soldiers to rape civilians. Likewise, systematic rapes are often 

employed as a means of ethnic cleansing. 
 

Askin (1979) acknowledges that: “War rapes have been considered a ‘war 

crime’ only since 1949. Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly 

prohibits wartime rape and enforced prostitution. These prohibitions were 

reinforced by the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva 

Conventions.” In 1998, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda 

established by the United Nations made landmark decisions that rape is a 

crime of genocide under International Law. In one judgment, Navanethem 

Pillay in Askin (1979) says that: “From time immemorial, rape has been 

regarded as spoils of war. Now it will be considered as war crime. We want to 

send out a strong message that rape is no longer a trophy of war.” 
 

Custodial rape according to Kumbhare (2009) is a rape perpetrated by a 

person employed by the state in a supervisory or custodial position, such as a 

police officer, public servant, jail or hospital employee. This according to 

Thukral (2008) includes the rape of children in institutional care such as 

orphanages. 
 

Human Rights Report (1999) states that custodial rape has been reported in 

many countries of the world including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and United 

States. In India custodial rape has been a major focus of Women’s Right 

Organization, and has been an official category of rape defined under law 

since 1983. Indian law states that this type of rape takes advantage of the 

rapist’s position of authority and is therefore subject to extra penalty, 

(Bhardwaj, 2009). 
 



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The term custodial rape according to Edward (2000) is sometimes used 

broadly to include rape by anyone in a position of authority such as an 

employer, money-lender, contractor or landlord, but under Indian Law it 

refers only to government employees. Victims of custodial rape are frequently 

minorities, people who are poor or low in social status. Researchers however 

hold that custodial rape is part of a broader pattern of custodial abuse, which 

can also include torture and murder, (Bergner, 2008). 
 

 

Rape from Western ethnical perspective: 

 In Swedish Penal Cord, rape has been defined “as forced sexual intercourse 

initiated against a woman (or man) by one or several people without the 

consent of the victim.” In recent years, several revisions to the definition have 

been made in the law to include not only intercourse but also comparable 

sexual acts against someone incapable of giving consent due to being in a 

vulnerable situation such as a state of fear or unconsciousness. Sweden has 

passed a new law that criminalizes sex without consent as rape, even when 

there are no threats, coercion or violence involved. Billner & Niklas (2018) 

observe that the number of rape cases reported was 73 per 100,000 citizens in 

2017. Official numbers show that the incidence of sexual offences is on the 

rise, and the Swedish government declared that young women are facing the 

greatest risks and that most of the cases go unreported.  
 

 

 

Rick (2016) in the Washington Post reports that: “In some European countries 

up to 55 percent of the population agreed that in circumstances where the 

victim wears ‘revealing’ clothing would make sexual intercourse without 

consent justifiable or acceptable according to a survey conducted on behalf of 

the European Commission. Overall, about one-fourth – 27 percent of all 

Europeans hold that opinion.”  The survey also indicates that the number of 

rape cases is much higher in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Czech 

Republic. In Romania, more than 50 percent of the people interviewed 

responded that nonconsensual sexual intercourse is acceptable in some cases 

or circumstances such as wearing revealing, provocative or sexy clothing, 

being drunk or using drugs, being out walking alone at night and not clearly 

saying no or physically making any attempt of fighting back. In Belgium, for 

instance, 40 percent agreed that sexual intercourse without consent is justified 

as stated above, whereas only 15 percent said so in neighbouring Netherlands. 

However, there are still member European states where there is considerable 

work to be done in addressing perceptions whether gender-based violence 

against women is often provoked by the victim or that women often make up 

or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rape culture in the Western World: 

Rape culture is being defined as “complex beliefs that encourage male sexual 

aggression and supports violence against women.” Rape culture describes a 

society where violence is seen as sexy and sexuality as violent. The 

manifestation of rape culture include instances of sexual violence that range 

from sexual remarks to sexual touching to rape, as well as condoning  such 

violence against women and presenting it as normal. The term may also be 

used in relation to certain groups or settings, like war rape or prison rape. 

 

Rape culture according to Olfman (2009) is sociological concept used to 

describe a setting in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal 

attitudes about gender and sexuality. Behaviours commonly associated with 

rape according to Herman (1994) include victim blaming, slut shaming, sexual 

objectification, trivializing rape, denial of widespread rape, refusing to 

acknowledge the harm caused by some forms of sexual violence and some 

combination of these. The notion of rape culture has been used to describe and 

explain behaviours within social groups, including prison rape, and in conflict 

areas where war rape is used as psychological warfare. 
 

 

Historically according to Brownmiller (1975) women have been considered 

second-class citizens who are not thought to deserve the same rights as their 

male counter-parts. Rape laws existed to protect daughters from rape, often 

through their fathers. In these cases according to Kresti (2016), the rape of a 

woman is seen as an attack on the estate of her father because she is his 

property and a woman’s virginity being taken before marriage, lessens her 

value; if the woman is married, the rape is an attack on the husband because it 

violates his property.  

 

Tecla (2012) says that the rapist is either subject to payment or serve 

punishment.  The father could rape or keep the rapist’s wife or make the rapist 

marry his daughter. A man could not be charged with raping his wife since 

she is his property. Winnie Tomm (2010) states that: “By contrast, rape of a 

single woman without strong ties to a father or husband causes no great 

concern…” 
 

In Europe, Sweden is being described as the ‘rape capital.’ Ever since the 

collation of crime statistics was initiated by the Council of Europe, Sweden 

has had the highest number of registered rape offences in Europe followed by 

Denmark. Even though Denmark rates highly internationally for gender 

equality in many areas of life, the country has “a pervasive rape culture and 

there is endemic impunity for rapists” according to a new report by Amnesty 

International (March, 2019). Women in Denmark encounter many barriers in 

accessing justice for rape. The vast majority of rapes are never reported and 

out of those that are, very few end up with a conviction. Amnesty 

International highlights that while there is a widespread perception in 

 

 

 

 
 
 
  
 
 



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Denmark that gender equality has been achieved, the authorities should do 

more to live up to this positive image. It calls on Denmark authorities to 

change the legal definition of rape to one based on sexual autonomy and 

consent and to improve the treatment of victims during all stages of the legal 

process. 

 

In United States according to Maskchke (1997) before and during the 

American Civil war when slavery was widespread, the law focused primarily 

on rape as it pertained to black men raping white women. The penalty for such 

a crime in many jurisdictions was death or castration. As early as the 19th 

century, Hamilton (1998) reveals that American women were criticized, if 

they “strayed out dependent position… fought off attacker … or behaved in 

too self-reliant a manner … in which case the term rape no longer applied.” 

Similar to rape myths and double standards applied to women today, 

description of rape in the 1800s depicted women who needed to behave or 

else face the inevitable consequences. Rape myths according to Burt ((1980) 

in this case are erroneous, stereotypical, prejudicial beliefs about reasons of 

sexual assault …which serve to justify sexual aggression on women.  
 

 

Prior to the 1930s in the West more particularly in America, rape was 

considered a sex crime that was always committed by men and always done to 

women. From 1935 – 1965, a shift from labeling rapist as criminal to 

believing them to be mentally ill “sexual psychopaths” began making its way 

into popular  opinion. Men caught for committing rape were no longer 

sentenced to prison but admitted to mental health hospitals where they would 

be given medication for their illness. Because “insane” men were the ones 

committing acts of rape, no one considered the everyday person to be capable 

of such violence. This tendency has therefore negated the social norms and 

has promoted increase in rape violence.    

 

 

Why is Rape common? 

According to report of different fields on rape, Brownmiller (1975), an 

evolutionary biologist claimed that this was how men had evolved over time 

which perpetuated the stereotype and excuse “men will be men”. From a 

biological desire, neo-Darwinists theorized that rape was used as a mechanism 

to spread genes quickly and efficiently. By having multiple partners in a short 

amount of time, the desire for sex was engulfed by the need to strategically 

reproduce but with little to no risk of parental involvement, (Burt, 1980). 

 

African attitude, norms and Culture on Rape: 

Rape is as old as the history of human existence on earth. It is a global matter 

and is not tied to the Western countries alone. As far as Africa is concern, rape 

cases abound even in the primitive era. We should know that within socio-

 

 



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centric and ego-centric cultures, the roles and representation of gender and 

attitudes towards sexual violence against women differ. Cultures which are 

described as feminist provide equal power to both men and women. Sexual 

violence is likely to occur more commonly in cultures that foster beliefs of 

perceived male superiority, social and cultural inferiority of women. Although 

culture is important factor to understanding sexual violence in its entirety, yet 

in some cases, African cultures undermine the rights and the position of 

women in the society. 

 

In Nigeria for example, there are numerous cases of rape and gang rape, yet 

many go unreported. The few that get reported to the authorities are either not 

pursued by the police or the victim is advised to keep silent in order not to 

disgrace her family. Nigeria is still very much a patriarchal society; a society 

where rules and norms are dictated and governed by men. Women are 

assigned roles, spaces and their bodies determined by men. Any woman who 

wishes to go against the rules and norms of the society will be punished. For 

example, a woman was punished because of refusing sex to her husband 

despite her claim she was in the manner of women. 

 

In Kenya the World Health Organization reports that “Violence against 

Women goes beyond beatings. It includes forced marriage, dowry-related 

violence, marital rape, sexual-harassment intimidation at work and in 

educational institutions, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced 

sterilization, trafficking and forced prostitution”. Sexual violence has indeed 

become a problem in African societies. A local organization in Zaria, Nigeria, 

found that sixteen percent of patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) 

were girls under the age of fifteen, a sign of sexual assault. In 1990, the 

Genital-Urinary Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, treated more than ninety girls 

under twelve for (STD), such assaults as observed in WHO publication, puts 

“African women and girls at higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases than 

men and boys.” 
 

 

In South Africa, sexual violence against women is on the high proportion. 

Women’s group in South Africa estimates that a woman is raped every 

twenty-sixth seconds and over forty percent of South African women will be 

raped in their life time as observed by human-rights organizations. 

Mclguaghlin, holds that sexual violence against women has affected the 

economy of the state as rape cases increased that large portion of the 

population is dealing with cases of psychological trauma, HIV/AIDS and 

other sexually transmitted diseases. This has made victims unable to work or 

even provide care for their children. Sexual violence has eroded the social 

fabric of the economy.  
 

 

 

 

 

 



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Along this line, Paula documents that “One of the biggest issues about South 

Africa is that, because gender based violence is so pervasive, very often it 

doesn’t make news unless it is dramatic…” She adds that scholars are of the 

view that a host of factors contribute to the high instance of rape in South 

Africa. Some of these factors include poverty, lack of education and substance 

abuse. However, one of the most pressing is patriarchal traditions. A culture 

influenced by misogyny and lack of opportunity for women is one of the 

biggest motivators for rape according to Mclaughlin. 
 

 

The prevailing patriarchal ideologies and the traditional practices of paying 

high bride-price (lebala) give men the ownership of woman’s body by 

claiming that they are entitled to sex from their wives because they have paid 

for and own them. South Africa is still very much a patriarchal society where 

men believe they are superior to women who they believe are there to serve 

them. According to Green, in all the African cultures, be it Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho 

and so on, women are encouraged to be subservient and submissive to men 

with all respect. The demand of women to be treated equal with men is 

challenging the status quo and some would argue, is the cause of gender based 

violence.  

 

 Consequences of rape: 
 

 Vaginal or anal bleeding or infection 

 Hypoactive sexual desire disorder 

 Vaginitis or virginal inflammation  

 Dyspareunia – painful sexual intercourse 

 Vaginismus- a condition affecting a woman’s ability to engage in any 

form of vaginal penetration. 

 Chronic pelvic pain 

 Urinary tract infections  

 Pregnancy 

 HIV/AIDs 

 

Sociological impact and mistreatment of Victims: 
After a sexual assault victims are subjected to investigations and in some 

cases mistreatment. Victims undergo medical examinations and are 

interviewed by police. During the criminal trial, victims suffer loss of privacy 

and their credibility may be challenged. Sexual assault victims may also 

become the target of slut-shaming and cyber bullying. During criminal 

proceedings, publication bans and rape shields operate to protect victims from 

excessive public scrutiny. 

 

 

 



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Pregnancy 

Pregnancy may result from rape. The rate varies between settings and depends 

particularly on the extent to which non-barrier contraceptives are being used. 

In 1982, Fertility and Sterility, the Journal of the American Society for 

Reproductive Medicine, reports that the risk of pregnancy from rape is the 

same as the risk of pregnancy from a consensual sexual encounter. A study of 

adolescent in Ethiopia found that among those who reported being raped, 17% 

became pregnant after rape, a figure which is similar to the 15-18% reported 

by rape crisis centres in Mexico.  A study of factors associated with teenage 

pregnancy in Cape Town, South Africa, found that forced sexual initiation is 

the third most strongly related factor, after frequency of intercourse and use of 

modern contraceptives. Forced sex can also result in unintended pregnancy 

among adult women. 
 

Any pregnancy resulting from an encounter with a stranger carries a higher 

risk of pre-eclampsia, the condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy 

is associated with significant amounts of protein in the urine, (Yuzpe et al, 

1982). Conversely, repeated exposure to the same parent’s semen reduces the 

risk, through induction of paternal tolerance. 
 

 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases:  

Violent or forced sex can increase the risk of transmitting HIV. In forced 

vaginal penetration, abrasions and cuts commonly occur, thus facilitating the 

entry of the virus through the vaginal mucosa. Adolescent girls are 

particularly susceptible to HIV infection through forced sex, and even through 

casual sex, because their vaginal mucous membrane have not yet acquired 

cellular density sufficient to provide an effective barrier that develops in the 

later teenage years. Being a victim of sexual violence and being susceptible to 

HIV share a number of risk behaviours.  

 

Forced sex in adolescent for instance, increases the likelihood of engaging in 

unprotected sex, having multiple partners, participating in sex work and 

substance abuse. People who experience forced sex in intimate relationships 

often find it difficult to negotiate condom use either because using a condom 

could be interpreted as mistrust of their partners or as an admission of 

promiscuity, or else because they fear experiencing violence from other 

partners. Sexual coercion among adolescent and adults is also associated with 

low self-esteem and depression factors that are associated with many of the 

risk behaviours for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. 
 

Remedies of Rape in human societies: 
Preventing sexual violence against women and girls is crucial for improving 

the livelihood and well-being of women and girls around the world. Rape and 

sexual assault are often reflective of a persisting imbalance in power dynamics 

between men and women and as well as of cultural and social norms in our 

 
 

 

 

 

 



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societies today. To overcome these obstacles the following remedies should 

be put in place. 

i. Governments in collaboration with some NGOs should establish 

and start rape crisis centres where victims can physically visit these 

centres or call for assistance. These centres should play the vital 

role in supporting victims cope up with the psychological and 

sociological trauma and to guide them obtain legal justice. 

ii. Public enlightenment by raising consciousness in society through 

education and awareness programmes. Traditional chiefs, 

politicians, police, churches, judiciary and the general public 

should be sensitized about violence against women and girls. 

iii. New insights into sex roles are needed. Cultural norms and 

practices that put men more superior to women should at least be 

de-emphasized to give women a sense of belonging, recognition 

and freedom to exercise their roles in the society. 

iv. Long term imprisonment of up to 20 years should be imposed by 

the law on rapists. This will serve as deterrent measure to others. 

v. Education of girls to the dangers of rape is very important. Parents 

must give their girls parental support so that they in turn can 

develop confidence in their parents and report accordingly any act 

of molestation done to them or incidents of physical proximity, 

inappropriate touching by relative or stranger. Parents should 

educate their girls never to let a stranger within arm’s length, and 

never to accept sweets or any gift from a stranger; never to lead a 

stranger to isolated places he wants to visit; to beware of over-

friendliness. Girls from poor and unhappy families are most 

vulnerable targets as they are starved for affection. Van drivers 

who ferry children between home and school may be advantaged 

of a friendly child. 

vi.  Women and girls should avoid putting on dresses that expose their 

body parts as some men are sexually aroused when seeing such 

half-naked dressed women and girls. 

vii. Women should be made aware of the laws against rape and 

molestation. Male judges should not be too easy on rapists and too 

hard on women victims as the case may be trials must be time 

bound and punishment meted out appropriately. 

viii. Churches should include in Sunday school programmes teachings 

about rape as a dangerous weapon of the enemy against children in 

the world. The Parish Priest should teach this by himself and not to 

assign it to a Church teacher, Catechist or Sunday school teacher. 

ix. Parents should be taught that the line of communication between 

them and their children should always be tension-free. Many 

parents think that children are too young to be told about rape as it 



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will frighten them unduly. Children must be made aware that there 

is a small number of wicked people in the society. 

 

Conclusion  
Rape is a global matter and it calls for global concerted efforts to control it. 

Governments of the world should join hands in combating this pandemic 

because of the effects it has caused to world societies. Many women and girls 

die in silence because of the fear and stigmatization attached to rape. The 

sociological and psychological trauma of being rejected by husband, family 

and friends is a sickness that takes longer time to cure. The side effects of rape 

are tremendous. A single sexual act is enough to spread contagious and deadly 

diseases like AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea. In addition, the victims have to 

endure mental and emotional stress. More disheartening is that victims are 

considered as social outcasts to say the least. 
 

To remedy the incidence of rape, governments should come out with stringent 

measures against rapists. Traore Mori suggests that such devilish intentioned 

men should without hesitation be made to face death or be castrated. We must 

all embark on nation-wide education on rape-consciousness. A counseling 

department should be set up to connect rape victims to regain their self-

confidence. 

 

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