Daily Times

We have seen that a rape is more a hate crime than merely a sex crime. If it was a simple sex crime then some easier ways to minimise the crime could be found as they have done elsewhere in the world. In several parts of the world there is some provision of the ‘sex workers’ operation. If the entire motivation of rape was sex then this is one way the world has found, i.e. sex for money. But the problem of the ‘rapist’ is different. The rapist has a revenge and hate influence, which is the overriding factor.

What makes the mindset of a rapist is the issue that needs to be looked into by social psychologist as well as therapists. The psychologists have done several studies to understand the phenomenon. A regular family member may never realise that the young person in the family, a brother or a cousin, or the son, is getting the treatment that could turn him to become a rapist one day. There is no single reason, there are many that combine to produce the tragic character, a ‘sociopath’.

A sociopath does not have empathy for others and does not have a conscience, or experience remorse or guilt when he or she victimises others. A sociopath will do what makes him or her feel good, or to get what he or she wants, regardless of how they affect others. If a sociopath exists within a society that supports the use of women for sexual pleasure and boxes women in this stereotypical status, then rape may not even seem or feel wrong to him.

Dr Maryam Bachmeier, a well-known expert in psychoanalysis writes: “When a society is changing its own structure as often occurs as a natural adaptation within an integral system of nations, communities, and family systems, and this results in the way the status or roles of men and women are perceived, some people may come to feel threatened by these changes.

Such change always forces changes in identity and the way people perceive their own role and function within their society.”

As mentioned earlier in this article, this can be at the root of why a society in transition may not be ready to take responsibility for the protection of women, when traditional roles and ways of functioning within the society are changing.

Additionally, some men have a literal hate for women. This is called misogyny. There are cases of women who have hate for men as well, but this article will address misogyny as the topic is about rape against women.

Misogynists are men who have a very real and literal hate for women may have been beaten, abandoned, or abused by women, such as their mother, or a female relative, or may have some other traumatic experience with women during their childhood. When you combine misogyny with psychopathy, you have a very dangerous mixture within a man who is capable of cruel, abominable and appalling crimes against women.”

The significant comment here is that the mistreatment of a young male child by a woman may build that hate that finds expression in rape and child is converted into an adult rapist.

On the other hand, society also breeds in itself other elements that turn boys into adopting insulting attitude towards women. Men in our societies are no angels. They hardly realise what effect their attitudes create on impressionable young lads. If women are not treated with respect in the family, if she is only made to serve, bear harsh language, beating or other ways of subjugation then a male child is most likely to carry that attitude. An attitude to subjugate or consider women as of secondary or lowly significance starts the damage. If we look at our social set up, there may be lip service in support of women but do the men really treat women as equal humans? Does a women’s work at home get the same regard and respect that a man gets for his work out of house? When there is disrespect, it becomes a breeding ground for hate. Then intense hate creates the hate crimes like rape.

Our society needs to consciously understand its negative make up if we are to get rid of ugly hate crimes. Men drooling with lust towards every woman, uttering women-directed abuses, are destroying the decency of the social fabric.

There is indeed a role for the social psychology specialists. In general our governments do not hold this subject on any priority. They probably do not realise the significance of social health. Social health should be a priority in all government decisions. Media must be made conscious against gender discrimination. In fact, it should be made aware against all discriminations. This society is rid with discriminations. For example, age discrimination. Either the young are discarded or pampered. Senior citizens have no real value. A senior cannot get a loan or car lease or credit card because of the restriction by none other than the State Bank of Pakistan. For women to set up business is more difficult than men. The discrimination between men and women, young and old, Muslims and non-Muslims, ethnic groups, and recently, between single nationals and dual nationals, all add up to make an unhealthy society.

A rapist is not alone. He must be apprehended and made an example by punishment to cause a deterrent. But punishment to him alone will not cleanse the society of its sickness. For this much more needs to be done.

The story doesn’t end here. What happens to the raped? Rape doesn’t end with the physical act; it haunts and creates long time damage. The raped must not be left alone by the society.

(To be continued)

The writer is the former CEO Pakistan National Council of the Arts; Chairman Fruit processing Industries; Chairman UNESCO Theatre Institute Pakistan and COO ICTV, USA. He is the author of Melluhas of the Indus Valley 8000 BC to 500 BC. He can be reached at naeemtahir37@gmail.com