The Dance About Rape

Sexual abuse and rape are daily acts of violence that affect nearly a billion women and girls in their lifetime; However, despite the prevalence of these crimes, the laws are inadequate, inconsistent, not systematically enforced, and sometimes encourage violence.

Illusion dancer Lily Dominguez took the centre stage to demonstrate the horrors of rape through the expression she knows best: Dance.

It has been proved time and again that women aged 16-19 are four times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault, and female college students ages 18-24 are three times more likely to experience sexual assault. Transgender people and those with disabilities are twice as likely to be victims of sexual assault or rape. In the United States, 70% of rape is committed by someone the victim knows.

South Africa has the highest rate of rape in the world with 132.4 incidents per 100,000 people. According to a survey conducted by the South African Medical Research Council, approximately one in four men surveyed admitted to committing rape. Despite the fact that the Parliament of South Africa enforced a Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007 which was intended to update and strengthen all sexual violence laws, the rates of reported rape, sexual abuse of children, and domestic violence have continued to climb.

one in four men surveyed in South Africa admitted to committing rape

The United States has a rape rate of 27.3. As in many other countries, rape is grossly underreported in the United States due to victim shaming, fear of reprisal, fear of family knowing, cases not being taken seriously by law enforcement, and possible lack of prosecution for the perpetrator. Only 9% of rapists in the US get prosecuted, and only 3% of rapists will spend a day in prison. 97% of rapists in the United States will walk free.

Only 9% of rapists in the US get prosecuted, and only 3% of rapists will spend a day in prison. 97% of rapists in the United States will walk free!

Many of the countries with high rape statistics need to look beyond just legislation to fix the problem. These countries need to look at the deep, systematic dysfunction of their cultures and social norms that have not prevented and do not prevent sexual violence.

Even though Governments around the world have pledged to eliminate all types of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, the epidemic of rape still haunts women world over.

* Top 10 countries with the highest rape rates in the world

1. South Africa (132.40)
2. Botswana (92.90)
3. Lesotho (82.70)
4. Eswatini (77.50)
5. Bermuda (67.30)
6. Sweden (63.50)
7. Suriname (45.20)
8. Costa Rica (36.70)
9. Nicaragua (31.60)
10. Grenada (30.60)

* Number of rape incidents per 100,000 citizens in different countries. Figures do not take into account rape incidents that go unreported to the police.

Source: Crime > Rape rate: Countries Compared

Following are some interesting observations by Nation Master

• South Africa has had the highest rape rate since 2004.
• Sweden ranked first for rape rate amongst European Union in 2010.
• All of the top 3 countries by rape rate are Sub-Saharan African.
• Belgium ranked first for rape rate amongst NATO countries in 2010.
• Australia ranked second for rape rate amongst High-income OECD countries in 2010.
• All of the top 6 countries by rape rate are Christian.
• The United States ranked third for rape rate amongst Cold countries in 2010.
• France ranked second for rape rate amongst Eurozone in 2009.
• Iceland ranked third for rape rate amongst Europe in 2009.
• Moldova ranked first for rape rate amongst Eastern Europe in 2010.

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Written by Prakriti S