THE FRIGHTENING REALITY OF ASIA: ONE IN 10 MEN HAS RAPED

The news of rape has finally been given its due: more and more, media outlets bring the spotlight onto the vile crime.  But has this stopped men from raping?

The answer might very well be: no.   The results of a new study, show that 10% of men in Asia have raped.  When raping of a wife or girlfriend was added to the tallies, the percentage shot up to 25%. 

The research included data for six Asian countries.  Since there were no comparative studies done, it is unknown at time how these rates compare with the rest of the world. 

The problem, according to the study, might have much to do with the cultural baggage of the country.  Another factor might be the rapist's own violent upbringing.  

The average rate of rape and violence worldwide is 30% of all women.  In the US the rate or rape is about 20%.  Nevertheless, there seems to be a disconnect between the number of women who have been raped and the rate that men confess to their own wrongdoing.

The research was done in Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.  In the majority of cases, between 6 and 8 % of men raped a woman who was not their partner.  But when partners were added, some places registered as high as 57%.   Bangladesh had the lowest rate, Papua New Guinea the highest.  

Studies in South Africa, one of the worst places on earth for rape crimes, the rate is believed to be close to 40%. 

The cases of rape were motivated in the majority by a macho perception, i.e., the belief that as men, they could take what they wanted, whether or not the person refused.  40% of the rapists said that they did it out of anger.  About 50% of the men said they felt some guilt. 

What is important, the researchers concluded, is that the culture of male supremacy be changed to curb this criminal phenomenon.  In certain parts of Africa, where traditional ideas and values were challenged, an improvement was seen in the general incidence of violence against women.  Another solution is to educate males in childhood and adolescence to destroy the culturally maschilist traditions. 


Source : The Lancet/ 9.10.13