Once again, the nation is shook by the rape and gruesome murder of a young woman right in the heart of Kolkata, a city known for its progressive approach and a rich history.
This time fanatics could not blame that the victim enticed the perpetrator by wearing provocative clothes or she was travelling with her male friend so she better be a promiscuous woman or she was giving subtle hints and invited the trouble herself.
This time, the victim was a doctor on duty, who after finishing her long shift of thirty six hours, unable to find any other place to rest, went to rest in a seminar hall of the hospital. When an incident of this magnitude takes place, it shakes the entire world for a few days and becomes a sensation.
There is a huge uproar for a while but it slowly recedes from the public consciousness until something similar happens again.
One should be reminded that a large number of rapes and attempted rapes actually go unreported.
The victims generally feel that by coming out they would be putting themselves into ever more precarious situation or because ‘there is more shame in being raped than being a rapist.’
This tragic incident serves as yet another reminder that, despite stringent laws against sexual violence, it is still a pervasive issue and has occurred across cultures and places.
Is it that the offenders let their animalistic tendencies get the better of them, or do they think they can outsmart the authorities? Or are there other factors at play?
Understanding the psychology behind rape and rapists requires delving into complex and often disturbing psychological and social factors.
Profiling perpetrators of sexual violence reveals a disturbing truth: these individuals come from all layers of society and not confined to any particular socioeconomic class, level of education, or demographic group.
They can range from being one’s first degree relatives or complete strangers. In this regard, martial rape is also not a new phenomenon where consent of the partner is disregarded and the perpetrator enjoys sexual entitlement within the union.
It can happen inside the house as much as it can happen at a completely unknown place. Despite the perception that they would always appear deranged and twisted, some of them can come across as charming and impressive in their well-fitted attires.
They can be as wealthy and well-connected as the billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and his female accomplice, who committed horrible crimes against young girls by abusing their wealth and influence.
Or they can be any individual living in destitution and anonymity, thus challenging the stereotype that such crimes are confined to specific economic classes.
Rapists often exhibit deviant lifestyle, low moral compass, traits of power and control issues, and use sexual violence as a means to assert dominance over their victims.
They may have experienced traumas especially during their early childhood, which could be maltreatment or neglect or low parental control, exposure to violence, or excessive and punitive measures of discipline by parents which could effect their personality later.
In some cases they themselves have been victims of sexual abuse during their childhood. This background though does not condone their behavior but helps explain the possible underlying factors that could have influenced them.
Psychological research shows that a large number of these offenders exhibit psychopathic tendencies; they manipulate others, can be cruel without feeling bad about it (cruelty to animals is not unheard of), display negative risk taking behaviors, lie pathologically and lack remorse or guilt. Such behaviors can actually be observed quite early in their life.
One can’t stress enough on the fact that parents and families have a very crucial role to play and should not ignore the early signs of deviant and developmentally inappropriate behaviors.
Parenting styles influence a child’s development of interpersonal skills, communication, empathy, emotional regulation, and attitudes including gender and rape attitudes. Early on, parents should set reasonable boundaries, establish clear norms and structure, and avoid becoming overly controlling or dictatorial.
These factors may increase or decrease a child’s risk of sexual violence offending or victimization.
We can’t overlook the role of society when addressing the issue of pathology of rape as it is not only rooted in individual psychological abnormalities but is also influenced by broader social and cultural factors that perpetuate gender inequalities and tolerate coercive behavior.
While it is true that both women and men can be raped, it is most commonly done to females by males.
It should be noted though that such sexually violent predators are more an exception than a norm.
Not every man who gets an opportunity will indulge in criminal act. Such predators often use a combination of psychological manipulation, opportunism and exploitation of vulnerabilities to identify and approach their targets.
They will frequently look for individuals who appear more vulnerable due to factors like isolation (taking advantage of moments when the victim is alone), intoxication, even poor self esteem etc.
Often they will observe and exploit the environments where they can find their potential targets thus it is not a surprise that more often than not it is a premeditated act.
Research indicates that many rapists plan their assaults meticulously, indicating a deliberate intent to inflict harm and dominate their victims.
A large number of them are seen to be drug abusers, have a history of violent crimes, anger management problems, unable to sustain relationships due to their abusive nature, and generally lack any social support.
The idea is not to have education on rape but rather up until the time we do not have robust and foolproof typology to identify sexual offenders, we need to secure ourselves and keep our guard up. In an effort to raise awareness and promote prevention, it is important to recognize any warning signs and predatory methods that these individuals might use.
One’s non-verbal language is louder than words and if one is feeling uncomfortable and offended with someone’s body language, it should not be ignored. If you notice signs such as persistent ogling, invasive stares, or unwelcome physical proximity, it’s important to trust your instincts.
These behaviors often signal a disregard for personal boundaries and can be red flags. By acknowledging these signs early, one can take steps to protect yourself and seek help if needed. Staying aware of one’s surroundings, especially in unfamiliar or isolated settings would help protect oneself. Keep your trusted ones informed about your whereabouts and plans.
The horrific and painful memories from the rape are carried by the victims as well as their families for the rest of their lives. Because of this, people in relationships with rape survivors are called secondary survivors and they too need help dealing with the trauama.
Rape survivors generally go through doubting themselves, confused and terrorized and, avoid reporting to family or police fearing that others might reject them thus increasing their chances of receiving medical attention and psychological intervention.
Thus immediate and comprehensive support is required for them which offers specialized counseling services that address post-rape trauma and help survivors navigate their recovery journey with professional support and empathy.
Law enforcement agencies have a huge role to play as well.
In the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case, the perpetrator was a civic volunteer and had easy access to the victims. There should be a complete background check for people applying for volunteer positions especially when working with vulnerable/ sensitive populations.
Anyone suspected of predatory behavior should be immediately reported and such misconduct should be taken very seriously. Increasing awareness and understanding of these predatory tactics is essential in preventing sexual violence and ensuring a safer community for everyone.
No one deserves to be violated, leave aside raped. As we confront the dark realities of rape and the complex psychology of those who perpetrate such acts, we need to continue working towards creating a future where safety, respect, and justice prevail.
Let us not only come together to protest when such a ghastly incident takes place, but also embrace the possibility of transformation—through education, supportive intervention, and unwavering commitment to justice.
