why is rape about power?

Question

its said just not to be about sex. rape is the worst thing that can ever happen to anyone be it men/women/boys or girls.. up to now i am still wondering what the hell is the rapist thinking

Answer 1

It's very complex question you are asking. They all have their own motives and often have suffered from some psychological trauma, so for a "normal" person, it's not something most of us can understand. I'd suggest you read a psychology journal, you'll get a better understanding than just hearing some guy talk about it.

Answer 2

Nobody knows what a rapist thinks. I don't think people who rape (or murder, for that matter) are thinking like rational human beings when they commit their crimes. I think rape is rarely about sex - the man is not looking for pleasure or release, primarily. He is looking for the twisted pleasure of forcing his own will onto another person, making someone do something they don't want to and feeling like a stronger, bigger, more powerful person. I think (but I'm not a psychologist, or anything, this is just my opinion) that acts like rape are born out of a person's inner feelings of weakness and worthlessness, which make them overcompensate with acts of extreme cruelty against other people. But as to why some people feel driven to do things like rape, while others don't, I have no idea. It's a sickening crime and I don't know why the world is not up in arms about the horrendous sexual crime taking place against women and children in Darfur. Of course my theory about inner worthlessness doesn't apply in the Darfur situation - the rape there is used to terrify, belittle and demean women, and is an expression, I think, of the attackers' own feelings of superiority and utter power/control over their victims as a people, not even as individuals. Anyway. This is an issue that we can't work out in a forum like this - it's far too complex and emotive. But you're right - it's just about the worst thing that could happen to anyone.

Answer 3

I think it is about a lot more than power. There are different types of rapists too.Some rapists are very sick individuals who want to inflict the worst type of pain and humiliation for as long as they want. This is what they do AFTER they get you in their power. Of course some rapists will take their sick, warped anger out on a girl and it doesn't progress into a more violent attacks. But I think they all have some sort of grievance. So I would say ladies-don't go out by yourself in isolated places or in an evening. Go in groups of two or more. There is a spray that you can get on Ebay which is legal. It is called DYE WITNESS and is just a harmless food dye which will stain an attackers face green for 10 days. It is supposed to be sprayed on the attackers face-into the eyes. It blinds the attacker temporarily and allows you to escape unhurt.

Answer 4

No-one can fathom what is going on in a rapists mind, neither can they fathom what is going on in a serial killers mind. The only thing that is common between all that practise these perverse acts is the fact that it is pre-meditated and they are in control. Rape is definitely about power. It is the worst act of cruelty to mankind and violates a persons soul and dignity. Rapists know this and that is the ultimate high. They are responsible for someones demise. Thats power. No-one knows what they think but let me tell you what I think should happen to rapists who are found guilty beyond all reasonable doubt; they be castrated and the same foul act forced upon them.

Answer 5

I don't think any of us can be in a position to understand a rapist's mind!! The 'power' comes from the fear of the victim.....maybe the aftermath and destruction too caused to the victim of such an appalling crime. It is not about having, wanting or needing to have sex at all; Sex, making love whatever you choose to call it, is an experience to be shared between people who have a mutual attraction, a desire or a need for each other at that time to fulfil them both, not when one overpowers another by their wanting to fulfil something they are lacking, or to satisfy being dominant, to cause fear..it is this they look for not the actual sex in itself. Being dragged down a back alley, snatched or thrown around and abused as a child is none of the above to the abused!! But to the attacker, the rapist..it is the 'control' and 'power' they lack in their lives. Therefore, it is not having sex with another in a 'normal' manner, but abusing them mentally.. not just physically. But, hell...who knows...probably best left not thinking about it at all.

Answer 6

A rapist, who rapes, does it for one reason only! They overwhelmingly enjoy the power that the victim is NOT in control. If the victim fights back, it only makes it worse for the victim because the rapist gets turned on by the fighting, knowing that the victim is scared - or out of control!

Rapist isn't the correct term anyway! The correct term for a rapist is 'A scum fcuking evil bastard'.

Answer 7

Forcing someone to give up the most intimate part of their body and invading it with theirs is about power. It as nothing to do with how a woman looks or acts or where she is. Old ladies in their own beds get raped as do babies. I have no idea what the rapist is thinking, but it may be along the lines of "I can"

Answer 8

Usually he is thinking how special HE is because he is getting his way with his victim.
The reality is that rapists are dehumanisingb themselves yet further.
There was no disgrace in being a slave but a tremendous disgrace in being a slave owner.
Tragically most victims of rape feel as if THEY are guilty. They are not. There should be no sense of shame in being a victim.
Sadly, most rapists have at some time been victimised themselves....not that that justifies it.
Hope that helps

Answer 9

rape is about power the same way any other form of abuse is. the rapist or abuser is insecure about themselves. just like a bully is insecure and needs to hurt somone else to feel bigger or better, a rapist is the same way. the only thing is that a rapist has a very strong drive for power and sex but they cannot control it. and a rapist is weird in that they inflict pain to please or pleasure themselves.

Answer 10

Its supposed to be about power & the opportunity to right perceived wrongs. These guys are dangerously screwed up & they want some kind of power & revenge trip, like that guy who has been raping pensioners in South London.

Underlying feelings of low self esteem often drive them & every time they strike, after the initial "buzz" has worn off, they feel even worse & that starts them spiralling further down towards another offence.