http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/special-report-decoding-the-mind-of-a-rapist-1.1124611

“Rape and the Rapist some understandings about the crime.”

1.How can we simplify the psychology of rape? What or how can we define the mind of a rapist?

Answer:     Although Psychology of Rapist is very complex because different mechanisms involve which is poorly understood, however there are two broad views about Rape.

According to psychology theory Rapist has some psychological unresolved conflicts from the child hood ranging from sexual abuse to deprivation and poor relational concept with (female) women, Rapist might have impulse control issue, or having antisocial motives and/or have underlying mental illness.

While according to sociology theory explains the sexual permissiveness in the society is the cause and/or male dominance is somehow expressed through this heinous crime following rejection by a woman. (5% of women and 0.4 % of men experience rape)  (Cross Government Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ Sexual-violence-action-plan)

Often time the Rape victim is to be blamed of not appropriately dressing and making unsafe choices to give the opportunity to the rapist to commit crime ( which is debate able)

2. Could you list tell-tale signs on how to identify a rapist? Do they have a pattern? Can rape be impulsive? Sexual abuse amounting rape in majority of cases is not the strnger.

Answer:      Rapist could be Known (family friend, acquaintances, neighbor and worst case scenario father or brother or strangers could be any one and very difficult to identify).

However commonly Rapist has lots of social problems, full of anger and hattered and may have been victim of sexual abuse during childhood.  Drug addict and sudden angry out bursts put someone at higher risk.

Rapist can have Impulse control issues combined with antisocial element and cannot resist sexual impulses.

Sexual abuse amounting to rape majority of time is by the known person who knows the victim.  Someone might have unresolved psychological conflict relating the female, sexual satisfaction non availability, anger and frustration of being abused at some point in life, revenge feeling toward the society or the victim and family etc.

3. Can rapists be categorized? Are there many kinds of rapists (based on differing degrees of violence or torture involved)?

Answer: It is very hard to categorize the Rapist. Old myth that Rapist will look certain way or will have big scar on the cheek is not true. Rapist can be a person sitting next to you in the class, or Cinema Theater or mopping in the corridor quietly.

Different rape categories are   Date Rape, Marital Rape, Drug Rape, incest rape, rape by pedophile. Rape at isolated places, Rape by serial rapist.

4. Can a common man be triggered to rape? What are the potential triggers? Is being angry at a woman and being unable to express the anger a trigger?

Answer:     As study shows it is very difficult to segregate the rapist from the law abiding citizen. However psychologically disturbed person loner or having few/none friends having under lying mental illness, being sexually abused put someone at higher risk to be the perpetrator. Revenge rapes have been reported in the media but are unpredictable and is usually associated with antisocial behavior.

5. How would you explain the psyche of a man who has no criminal record, is a normal person and has no violent streak and yet rapes a relative?

Answer:  Isolated introverted usually single male who usually fantasize sexual act with the known victim reach to the point where cannot resist the impulses to act on.

6. While a common man/woman may see rape as an act of brutality or sheer terror, how would a rapist see rape?

Rapist are different types as mentioned above they probably view the rape victim as sex object ( as rapist may have been abused by himself and see this an opportunity to reenact his impulses), as weak member of the society who cannot defend themselves, isolated psychologically disturbed men act impulsively to satisfy his sexual frustration in heinous way.

Rape is significantly under reported even in the very open societies. Nobody is immune to it and general safety precautions and helpful hints to avoid this, should be learned and practiced.

Few tips to help avoiding Rape:

Rapist is usually introverted and use isolated places.

Avoid passing through unfamiliar less crowded place at late hours alone, if you happen  to be in the situation wait until crowed of people come and then go through, like empty bus stands, train stations or other public places late hours.

Never answer  the door bell if alone at home and stranger is at the door, don’t be brave call the police.

In case of outside and being trapped in isolated place and feels threatened or intimidated by stranger lock yourself in the car and turn the car alarm, it will bring people’s attention.

In case of date rape or incest Rape kick the perpetrator hard in the groin will give you some time to escape and run to the crowded area for help.

If you are trapped with perpetrator in an isolated place scream as hard as you can to bring some bodies attention for help and frustrate the rapist.

Rape has huge impact on the victims mind and lasting effect. Rape victim can suffer from PTSD ( Post traumatic stress disorder) Panic Disorder and/or other anxiety disorders, Victim can feel every men as rapist or becomes emotionally numb and lose confidence in all important areas of life. If it start interfering with occupational, educational and social or other important areas of life seek Professional help immediately.