A biomedical view of mass rape<\/p>\n
Among the findings of the joint fact-finding team on the mid-
\nMay riots was that rape and other forms of sexual assault
\noccurred during the rioting. This is the first of two articles by
\nWimpie Pangkahila, a professor at the School of Medicine of
\nUdayana University in Bali and an andrologist and sexologist,
\ndiscussing characteristics of rape.<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Rape is nothing new in Indonesia; many
\ncases have been reported, including those followed by homicide.<\/p>\n
Reports on the rape of several members of the Acan family in
\nBekasi, West Java, a few years ago aroused compassion for the
\nvictims.<\/p>\n
The issue of rape is making news headlines again over the
\nsexual assaults committed during the mid-May riot in Jakarta. The
\nmass media has also reported that 102 women in Aceh admitted to
\nhaving been raped during the province's nine-year military
\noperation.<\/p>\n
Much earlier, the public was touched by the testimony and
\ngrievances aired by former jugun ianfu (comfort women) from
\nIndonesia and several other Asian countries.<\/p>\n
Rape is sexual intercourse conducted in the absence of consent
\nby one of the parties. \"In the absence of consent\" may mean that
\nthe victim is threatened, physically forced, unconscious,
\npowerless, mentally handicapped or under age.<\/p>\n
Rape is a pseudo-sexual act, a form of sexual behavior, which
\nis connected more to status, aggression, control and dominance
\nthan to sexual pleasure or satisfaction. It is an expression of
\nsexual desire mixed with violence, anger or power.<\/p>\n
In most rape cases, the expression of power or anger -- the
\ncomponent of aggression -- takes a prominent position, while the
\nmanifestation of the sexual urge is secondary. It is
\nunderstandable, therefore, that the rape of someone is not
\nlimited by age, health condition or physical appearance.<\/p>\n
According to data, rape victims range in age from five months
\nto 90 years.<\/p>\n
Mass rape occurs against many victims simultaneously or almost
\nsimultaneously. It may take place spontaneously because of a
\nconducive situation or because it is orchestrated by certain
\ngroups for their objectives. Mass rape happen only during war or
\nin a warlike situation.<\/p>\n
Rape takes two forms -- forcible and nonforcible.<\/p>\n
Forcible rape, conducted by force or under the threat of
\nforce, is most frequently found.<\/p>\n
There are two kinds of forcible rape according to the number
\nof perpetrators. Solo rape is committed by only one person, and
\ngang rape by two people or a group.<\/p>\n
Rape is also distinguished according to the situation and
\nperpetrators relationship to the victim. Date rape, which is
\ncommitted during a party or a date, and mate rape, which is
\nconducted by a husband or boyfriend.<\/p>\n
Differentiations are also made according to the force used.<\/p>\n
* Power rape. The rapist uses a weapon, violence or physical
\nthreats to intimidate the victim. The rapist has usually suffered
\na disruption in interpersonal relationships and feels imperfect
\nas a human being. Rape is a means to restore his confidence in
\nterms of power, identity and sexual ability.<\/p>\n
* Anger rape. The rapist expresses his hatred and anger through
\nphysical and verbal abuse of the victim. His motive is revenge
\non, and punishment of, women in general, and not of the victim
\nalone. Usually the perpetrator does not feel any sexual
\nsatisfaction or only slight gratification. He may even have
\nproblems in gaining or maintaining erection and ejaculating.<\/p>\n
* Sadistic rape. Components of sexuality and aggression blend
\ninto one and the suffering of the victim becomes the satisfaction
\nfor the rapist. The victim may be tortured.<\/p>\n
It is assumed that 55 percent of all rape cases belong to the
\ncategory of power rape, 40 percent to anger rape and 5 percent to
\nsadistic rape.<\/p>\n
Nonforcible rapes are those committed without violence. This
\ntype of rape may be distinguished into three kinds: Statutory
\nrape in which the victims are underage girls; rape committed
\nagainst mentally disturbed women or women under the influence of
\ndrugs or alcohol, and rape committed in the hope of gaining a
\nreward.<\/p>\n
Mass rape is definitely forcible rape in the category of gang
\nrape, especially if it is orchestrated to achieve certain goals.<\/p>\n
Many rape victims refuse to report their assaults to the
\nauthorities for reasons which include:<\/p>\n
* Fear of reprisals by the rapist.<\/p>\n
* Belief that the authorities will not arrest the rapist or, even
\nif they do, they will set him free again.<\/p>\n
* Shame and the fear of the widespread reporting of the shame.<\/p>\n
* Fear of improper treatment by the authorities or a lawyer.<\/p>\n
* Family prohibition over reporting it to the authorities.<\/p>\n
* Fear that the rapist's imprisonment would cause trouble to
\nfriends and family members.<\/p>\n
There is also the fear the authorities will compound her
\ntrauma by asking leading questions such as: \"Did you also enjoy
\nit?\" or \"Do you often have sex?\"<\/p>\n
Of the 21 rapes revealed to the writer from 1989 to 1997, none
\nof the victims was willing to report her assault to the
\nauthorities. Victims said they were afraid and ashamed despite
\nassurances they would be provided with a lawyer.<\/p>\n
It is therefore easily understood why victims of mass rapes
\nare not prepared to report their cases to the authorities. It is
\nalso often impossible for them to distinguish their rapists from
\namong the crowd.<\/p>\n
Women raped during the conflict in Yugoslavia kept silent for
\nyears before finally speaking up. Likewise, former comfort women
\nwaited for decades before they finally lodged complaints and
\ndemanded compensation. And the very same fears of shame and
\nexposure inhibited Acehnese women from revealing the trauma of
\ntheir assaults.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-biomedical-view-of-mass-rape-1447893297",
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