There are many definition variations of this topic, which has done nothing but continue to perpetuate the divide between the sexes. For this paper it is defined as an act of sexual intercourse regarded as tantamount to rape, esp. if the woman was encouraged to drink excessively or was subjected to undue pressure, (date-rape. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition). A strong emphasis will be placed on the undue pressure aspect of this act.
Who is Responsible?1
Due to a lack of consensus on the definition of consent, leads the parties to playing the blame game. From men being overly aggressive to women acting and dressing in a manner that opens the door to sexual intercourse. Even despite the …show more content…
Like males, there are theories surrounding female’s perspectives when it comes to sexual behavior and what is acceptable and what is deemed inappropriate. A very interesting example of this is the thought that there are certain beliefs and or behaviors that may increase the risk of her becoming a victim. These are females that believe in a more traditional view of males. Men occupying a position of dominance relative to females where this behavior is deemed acceptable. (Muehlenhard, in Pirog-Good and Stets, 1989). This perception, along with the male’s view of sexual dominance over females, makes the dating scene a tinderbox ready to explode.
Consequences
The consequences of date rape are very often felt for years, if not a lifetime by the victim. Especially if professional help is not sought to help the victim understand and go through the healing process. There are many facets that the victim goes through in processing the trauma. In some cases, the victim reports levels of depression, anxiety, complications in subsequent relationships, and difficulty attaining pre-rape levels of sexual satisfaction to what survivors of stranger rape report (Koss & Dinero, 1988).