The potential causes of rape are varied and controversial. Among factors that contribute to rape are: decreased status (or perceived power) of women within a society; pervasive media exposure of sex; availability of pornographic materials, especially those involving acts of violence; inadequate information or misconceptions regarding sexual behaviors

There are various ways in which society can extend a helping hand to people who have been victims to this awful crime. Prejudice should be avoided at all costs. Much of the notions regarding rape are aimed at victim behavior or blaming them ("if she had not been alone at night," "if she did not dress that way," "if she had not accepted a ride home from the party, office or school with him"). It is important for society as well as the individual subjected to this brutality to realize that it wasn't a reaction to fault. Victims need to be reassured, supported and assisted in the rebuilding of their lives. This would help more victims come out about what has happened to them and not be afraid of social ostracism. They should be encouraged to seek counsel from people they trust, from psychologists and avail of the organizations, crisis centers and help-lines specifically trained for this purpose. Awareness should be created. People should be educated about the safety precautionary measures that could reduce the risk of rape as well immediate measures if one were unfortunately victimized (this would include not washing themselves to not destroy crucial evidence, persuading them to have tests to check for STDs acquired, pregnancy and the like). True prevention involves permeating society with the message that individuals must stop being blind to violent acts, stop each other from committing such acts, stop condoning such violent behaviors in others and stop blaming victims.

About 45% of rapists are 15 to 25 years old. They frequently harbor feelings of violence or hatred towards women and often feel insecure or inadequate and may have experienced problems with sexual performance. Nearly half of the time the rapist is known to the victim, at least casually, or works or lives near the victim. People who are targeted for some form of discrimination (including racial discrimination) are believed to be at higher risk for sexual assault. This may be attributed to increased vulnerability because of decreased ability to call for help (for example, those with limited language skills or disabilities) and decreased "perceived" credibility such as prostitutes or ex convicts.

Victims of this brutal act view it as much more than just unconsenting sex. Rape is one of the cruelest forms of criminal violence as it intrudes into the most private and intimate parts of the body and is an assault to the core of one's self. The victim suffers profound injury. Rendered powerless by physical force, threats or fear after which being forced to submit to sexual acts, which may include vaginal penetration, oral copulation, sodomy and penetration with a foreign object, the victim is left virtually alone. Feeling dirty, devalued and humiliated, they are forced to deal with the post trauma that takes them by as much surprise as the rape did. Although many victims experience similar reactions, there are still individual differences in how they respond to the aftermath. Some may have an immediate reaction while others may have a delayed reaction weeks or months later. Researchers have identified stages that the victim goes through while suffering the effects of victimization (Abarbanel & Richman, 1990). Initially, they suffer from shock and disbelief feeling numb and dazed and still terrorized (B & H, 1974). The victim's appearance can be misleading appearing jolted, astonished, sedate and stifled (A & R, 1990). The controlled behavior masks the serious psychological wound that has been end

Some common words found in the essay are:
Penal Code, Department Justice, Abarbanel Richman, Gallers Grossman, DSM-IV Victims, Bergess Holmstrom, Trauma Syndrome, Crime Report, College Dictionary, Victim Center, jerabek 1998, impact rape, rape victims, department justice, rape trauma, rape trauma syndrome, diagnostic criteria, victim suffers, people trust, five minutes, victim goes, therapy jerabek 1998,
Approximate Word count = 2347
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)