Domestic Violence Day 26: Gang Rape

According to Wikipedia, Gang rape occurs when a group of people participate in the rape of a single victim. Rape involving at least two or more violators, usually at least three, is widely reported to occur in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, not much information is available on the extent of the problem.

One study showed that offenders and victims in gang rape incidents were younger with a higher possibility of being unemployed. Gang rapes involved more alcohol and drug usage, night attacks, and severe sexual assault outcomes. Another study found that gang rapes or group sexual assaults were more violent and had greater resistance from the victim than individual sexual assaults. Also, victims of group sexual assaults were more likely to seek crisis and police services, to contemplate suicide and seek therapy due to the devastating effects of those assaults. Both studies showed a high amount of drug and alcohol usage.   

Gang rape is sometimes referred to as group rape or party rape or multiple perpetrator rape, involving three or more male violators. These rapes have characteristics beyond those found in rape by individuals. Gang rapists tend to be younger and be serial criminals even in their younger age. These gangs are often under the influence of drugs and alcohol and of the same race or religion or place of residence thereby forming a close peer pressure group. These gangs are encouraged by the behavior of their fellow criminals and are more violent. The sexual and non-sexual injuries to the victim are often much more severe than regular rape assaults. The gang members typically dehumanize their target victims before and during the rape with severe violence.  Unfortunately, statistics show that over 20% of the gang rape victim died from injuries from the gang rape.

Gang rapes occur during wars and ethnic riots as a means of revenge to send a message to the victims’ community. Gang rapes are also stereotyped as a crime of the poor, minorities, and cultures. The incidence of gang rapes is also high in college campuses, especially wealthy campuses with non-minorities.  Unfortunately, wherever these rapes occur, there is a tendency to blame the victim.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_rape