Recently, the crisis of rape at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College caused outrage among many due to the heinous rape leading to the death of a trainee doctor working inside the hospital. In response to this case, the Aparajita Bill has been introduced by the West Bengal Assembly. It has now been forwarded to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and then to President Draupadi Murmu for approval after being passed unanimously by all members of the Parliament present. But the question remains: can this bill effectively reduce rape? Of course, to some extent, because the severity of punishment for such atrocities has visibly increased, leading to fewer repeat offenses by imprisoned rapists. However, no such bill can fully change the mindset of a rapist, which is why it is essential to understand what goes on inside their minds.
Understanding the Definition of Rape According to the Indian Penal Code
An attempt at rape can be defined as sexual intercourse without consent, leading to the manipulation of any part of the individual’s body, according to Section 375 (post-Nirbhaya Case in 2019). It outlines seven scenarios:
- Against her will;
- Without her consent;
- With her consent, but when that consent has been obtained by putting her or someone she cares about in fear of death or harm;
- With her consent, when the man knows he is not her husband and she consents under the belief that he is;
- With her consent, when she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of her consent due to unsoundness of mind, intoxication, or the administration of substances;
- With or without her consent when she is under eighteen years of age, as the law considers consent irrelevant for minors;
- When she is unable to communicate her consent.
What Goes On Inside the Minds of Rapists?
Rape is a symptom of psychological dysfunction, which can cause chronic effects for both the victim and the rapist. It is a desperate act that can be subdivided into three categories: power (proving dominance and conquest through sex), anger (motivated by hostility and counterattacking behavior), and sexuality (acting on sadistic urges, combining both anger and power). Rape can be considered an act committed by emotionally weak individuals who cannot meet their demands or handle stress. But this is an outsider’s perspective. A man under stress may smoke, talk to his friends, or commit rape; these scenarios are entirely different, and the latter cannot be simplified as just another way to relieve stress. The violent behavior seen in rapists often stems from a psychological need to prove masculinity. The environment around them may foster this belief, where men who consider themselves equal to women react differently than those raised in more dominating, patriarchal settings.
The Role of Upbringing in Shaping the Mindset of Men
While environmental factors greatly influence this mindset, it also depends on the quality of upbringing, not merely social class. Rich men can commit rape, too, but emotional repression in boys plays a significant role. Many men have never been taught to open up emotionally, and this lack of understanding, where women are seen merely as objects of pleasure, must be addressed. Anti-rape activists like Yogita Bhayana have spoken about the importance of sensitizing non-literate areas through social media awareness. As movies like Animal show increased violence, it is essential to stop normalizing such behavior and to understand that these exaggerated portrayals should remain fictional. Women’s empowerment is evident, but what about the emotional empowerment men need? The offender’s brutality is often shifted to irrelevant details such as “What was she wearing?” or “What time was it?” But why is it that women are taught to avoid danger by being mindful of the smallest details, while men are rarely taught to rethink how they view women? The answer lies in their upbringing, where they are taught to seek power, often through inappropriate actions like rape, eve-teasing, abuse, and assault. Many rapists have a history of troubled relationships, which contributes to their psychological dysfunction. Instead of seeking help, they channel their stress and demands through violent acts. Clinicians believe that this behavior reflects the rapist’s insecurities and discomfort, where sexuality is not always about pleasure but about asserting power. This is particularly true in cases of power rape, where the rapist may have obsessive sexual urges and may even force the victim to fall in love with him.
What is Sadistic Rape?
Sadism involves deriving pleasure from tormenting others. A sadist rapist often focuses on masturbatory fantasies and derives pleasure from the victim’s helplessness and suffering, causing as much harm as possible. In any form of rape, the primary goal should be survival, although in some instances, appealing to the rapist’s emotions or making him empathize with women in his own life may help. However, the victim may not always have time to process and act in such a way.
The Biopsychology of Sexual Human Drive
Violent and sexual activities originate from the hypothalamus and amygdala in the temporal lobe, where nerve cell activities peak before aggressive behavior. These include subcortical and cortical regions, with the mesial temporal lobe and amygdala being crucial in mediating human sexual drive. A self-stimulating device developed by Heath demonstrated that septal self-stimulation could elicit orgasm and a compulsion to masturbate, showing that the septal region of the limbic system plays a crucial role in sexual drives. Activation of the right prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal region has been observed during sexual arousal. Sexual disorders such as paraphilias and sexual orientation are also linked to temporal lobe dysfunction. Rapists often exhibit mental imbalances in their limbic region and may be diagnosed with paraphilias, sexual, or personality disorders.
Remedial Measures
Anyone experiencing destructive desires, whether they have been accused or not, must seek psychological help. Psychological interventions can help individuals counteract feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy and express their aggression in non-violent ways. Early recognition of tendencies, especially during childhood, is essential in preventing deep-rooted traumas from influencing sexual behaviors. While the judicial system focuses on punishing offenders, there is a need for psychological interventions that address the root causes of rape. Neurological and psychological evaluations of rapists are crucial in breaking the cycle of sexual violence.
