The Consequences of RapeMost people don't laugh at the mention of murder. Thefts are no joke and drug distribution is not something taken lightly. Rape is illegal, and rightly so, even if many don't consider it a violent problem. In fact, today's society has classified these circumstances into an abstract concept, called “rape culture”. In this, our society no longer considers rape as a serious issue; rather we avoid the topic or adopt it as an unavoidable matter. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The blame falls on the victim, when it should fall on the rapist. Often, the victim of the assault is burdened with guilt and shame, and our society attacks them rather than the perpetrator on trial. Rape is much more harmful than our society believes, hurting the victim physically, socially and psychologically. Rape is a significant problem in the United States. The word rape, or sexual assault, refers to a variety of behaviors that contain unwanted sexual contact. The FBI defines rape as “any type of penetration of another person, regardless of gender, without the victim's consent.” The main aspect that defines rape is the lack of consent. Sexual activity should not occur unless both individuals have given consent. Sheela Raja, a clinical psychologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, states that “rape is not consensual, the victim is uncomfortable, afraid, or intimidated (if she is conscious). Like any traumatic event, their physical integrity is threatened by the very nature of the crime." Sexual assault is extremely common in today's society, in fact it is the fastest growing crime in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 876,000 rapes occur in the United States each year. Even more surprising is the fact that approximately 30% of rapes that occur are actually reported. Therefore, approximately one million rapes occur in the United States each year. 80% of rapes are committed by someone who knows the victim, and 32% of female victims and 16% of male victims were injured during the sexual assault. Although the majority of cases of sexual violence involve male perpetrators and female victims, five percent of reported rapes occur against male victims. Studies show that more than fifty percent of female victims and seventy percent of male victims were raped before their eighteenth birthday (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Rape is the most common crime on college campuses today and is also considered the least reported crime. The college and high school years have proven to be the years when women are most vulnerable, as most rape cases are reported between the ages of 16 and 24. report unwanted sexual contact. Less than 5% of women who have been assaulted report it to the police. About 25% of college women and about 10% of college men reported being victims of rape. A recent study of two- and four-year colleges found an average of 35 rapes per 1,000 female students over a seven-month period (Sampson). Experiencing rape can have a colossal impact on a person's life. “Experiencing rape can completely change a person's life,” Camtu Walker, SAFE's sexual violence consultant, says in an interviewWilkes Shelter. “The victim is violated in more ways than one.” Although rape victims often report injuries and concerns about their reproductive health, rape does not always involve the use of physical force. However, that doesn't make it any less of a mutilation. The most common consequences of rape involve mental health concerns and decreased social trust. Rape has terrible consequences, and a person who has been raped will generally experience many changes physically, socially, and psychologically (Joyful Heart Foundation). Rape is a crime that violates the body and brings out a lot of physical harm. Forced sexual violence often results in visible bruising or bleeding, and victims are more likely to have digestive problems, seizures, and more intense premenstrual symptoms after experiencing sexual violence. Migraines are very common, as is arthritis in the pelvis or back. It is also possible for the victim to contract a sexually transmitted disease, which leads to other physical health problems (Gluck). One of the main physical consequences of rape is pregnancy. In 'Fertility and Sterility', the journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, it was reported that the risk of pregnancy from rape is the same as the risk of pregnancy from consensual sexual intercourse: 5%. Every year more than 32,000 pregnancies result from rape and more than 80% of these end in abortion (ASRM). Rape is highly traumatic and it is often difficult for the victim to keep the child. It serves as a living reminder of the incident, and affection is complicated. As a result, this increases abortion rates. Those who are raped are highly susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Abrasions and cuts commonly occur in forced sexual interaction, making it easier to contract sexually transmitted diseases. The most common of which is HIV/AIDS, which is transmissible through contact with blood. In a study conducted by the National Violence Against Women Survey, 30 percent of raped women reported contracting a sexually transmitted disease (see Figure 1 on the next page). Studies of women in shelters have shown that women who experience sexual abuse by intimate partners are significantly more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. On a social level, suffering sexual violence will have a huge impact on its victims. Victims may suffer from strained relationships with family, friends and intimate partners. Even if the rape is carried out without the victim's consent, the victim may feel guilt or shame over the incident. They may distance themselves from others, become introverted and averse to public activities. Often, victims remain disconnected from their normal routines for an extended period of time after the rape. They may avoid anything that might remind them of the accident. Their trust value will be damaged and this may also lead to broken relationships. Research has also shown that those who have been victims of rape are less likely to later marry (Centers for Disease Control and Protection). One of the major social consequences that can be observed in today's society is called "victim blaming". Instead of condemning the rapists for the incident, society places the blame on the victim. They might say the victim was "asking for it" by dressing provocatively, being promiscuous, or drinking excessively. Many people look for a way to place blame on the victim as this supports their belief that they will never be in danger of rape. If someone can rationalize rape as a consequence of the victim's behavior,.