History Analysis / RapeIsaSpecialKindofEvil

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to draw a line between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/regulations in order to "sanctify" such behaviors and give them uniquely human moral qualities (e.g., [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; customs requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard [[SexualDevianceIsEvil deviant sexual behaviors]] as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if the behaviour is consensual and/or if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes consensual cannibalism]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], [[ParentalIncest sexual relationships between parent and child]], etc.). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., stabbing and mugging someone, etc. is because the former--even though both acts violate the victims' bodily autonomy--presents a more heinous attack on their dignity and sense of value in life--the reduction of another human being to a mere object (i.e., a "slab of meat") to satisfy the perpetrator's basest, most animalistic desires. Additionally, research has shown that women--on average--[[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479551/ tend to have a stronger sense of disgust than most men]] (as it historically evolved to protect women against {{STIs}} and to avoid dangerous men who would [[ChildByRape leave them raising a child]] without a father for support), which likely explains [[DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale the double-standard wherein rape of a man]] [[DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale doesn't tend to garner as much scorn]] as rape of a woman.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to draw a line between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/regulations in order to "sanctify" such behaviors and give them uniquely human moral qualities (e.g., [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; customs requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard [[SexualDevianceIsEvil deviant sexual behaviors]] as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if the behaviour is consensual and/or if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes consensual cannibalism]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], etc.). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., stabbing and mugging someone, etc. is because the former--even though both acts violate the victims' bodily autonomy--presents a more heinous attack on their dignity and sense of value in life--the reduction of another human being to a mere object (i.e., a "slab of meat") to satisfy the perpetrator's basest, most animalistic desires. Additionally, research has shown that women--on average--[[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479551/ tend to have a stronger sense of disgust than most men]] (as it historically evolved to protect women against STIs and to avoid dangerous men who would [[ChildByRape leave them raising a child]] without a father for support), which likely explains [[DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale the double-standard wherein rape of a man]] [[DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale doesn't tend to garner as much scorn]] as rape of a woman.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to draw a line between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/regulations in order to "sanctify" such behaviors and give them uniquely human moral qualities (e.g., [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; customs requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard [[SexualDevianceIsEvil deviant sexual behaviors]] as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if the behaviour is consensual and/or if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes consensual cannibalism]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], etc.). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., stabbing and mugging someone, etc. is because the former--even though both acts violate the victims' bodily autonomy--presents a more heinous attack on their dignity and sense of value in life--the reduction of another human being to a mere object (i.e., a "slab of meat") to satisfy the perpetrator's basest, most animalistic desires. Additionally, research has shown that women--on average--[[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479551/ tend to have a stronger sense of disgust than most men]] (as it historically evolved to help women avoid dangerous men who would [[ChildByRape leave them raising a child]] without a father for support), which likely explains [[DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale the double-standard wherein rape of a man]] [[DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale doesn't tend to garner as much scorn]] as rape of a woman.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to draw a line between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/regulations in order to "sanctify" such behaviors and give them uniquely human moral qualities (e.g., [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; customs requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard [[SexualDevianceIsEvil deviant sexual behaviors]] as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if the behaviour is consensual and/or if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes consensual cannibalism]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], etc.). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., stabbing and mugging someone, etc. is because the former--even though both acts violate the victims' bodily autonomy--presents a more heinous attack on their dignity and sense of value in life--the reduction of another human being to a mere object (i.e., a "slab of meat") to satisfy the perpetrator's basest, most animalistic desires.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to draw a line between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/regulations in order to "sanctify" such behaviors and give them uniquely human moral qualities (e.g., [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; customs requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard [[SexualDevianceIsEvil deviant sexual behaviors]] as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if the behaviour is consensual and/or if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Meiwes consensual cannibalism]], [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]], etc.). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., stabbing and mugging someone, etc. is because the former--even though both acts violate the targets' bodily autonomy--presents a more heinous attack on their humanity and dignity--the reduction of another human being to a mere object (i.e., a "slab of meat") to satisfy one's basest, most animalistic desires.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is that it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species's sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, however, presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death, and menstruation--because these are all biological realities that we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., discouraging promiscuity, [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; Kosher laws requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans tend to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is (strictly speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., punching someone or stealing money from them in their sleep, etc. is because the former--even if the victim never finds out what happened to them--presents a more heinous attack on their humanity and dignity--the reduction of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

This then leads to the final reason why rape is a special kind of evil: unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person. The rapist, meanwhile, has primal, more animalistic motives which are still comprehensible to most people. Egotism, pent-up sexual desire, the longing to feel powerful and assert one's will, and the impulse to "go after" somebody who meets one's preferences are all feelings that most people do--to some extent--share but generally don't act on due to their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathise with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

We have created a hierarchy of evil, based on what does greater or lesser damage to the social contract but mitigated by necessity. Killing another human is the most destructive and in pretty much every society therefore punished the most harshly. But it is possible that killing another human being can be forgiven from need; self-defense or the defense of others. Even the violent suppression of a rebellion or the killing of an insolent underling by a leader can be construed as attempts to preserve the existing social contract.

* torture others to obtain information which can save thousands (though many people do consider this to be a dubious justification for both practical and moral reasons.)

These are all actions which are normally punished if performed for their own sake, but which may be treated less harshly if performed "for the right reasons"--personal survival, the survival of another, or the survival of the group. Constructing a situation in which rape becomes necessary for personal survival, the survival of another, or the survival of the group is ''extremely'' difficult, if not impossible.

It is in the top tier of the hierarchy of wrongs, because of its ability to have permanent effects on the victim and those around the victim, along with torture and murder. That also means that any attempt to justify it instantly begs the question of why the use of the other two, particularly torture since both leave the victim alive, wasn't a relatively superior solution. Also unlike torture or murder, it has the possibility to actually ''create'' an additional victim(s) of the crime (a female victim being unwillingly impregnated, especially if getting an abortion isn't easy for her).

A compounding factor is the virtual impossibility of rape seeming in any way like a "fair fight". Comparing it again to other crimes, a killer who chooses victims that can't fight back [[DirtyCoward is considered far more contemptible]] than one who kills somebody [[WorthyOpponent who poses an immediate threat]], [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame regardless of motive]]. Rape meanwhile, requires that the victim be left incapable of mounting an effective defence for a substantial length of time, meaning that even someone who might be formidable under other circumstances is rendered completely helpless (and not just for a brief moment in which their attacker might gain the advantage in a fight).

Furthering the subject of equality and power dynamics is the fact that--when compared to rape--murder, mild torture, and theft all seem less unfairly victimizing because the consequences of each crime (death, pain, and loss, respectively) are all things which ''everyone'' can fear and relate to in some way. [[WeAllDieSomeday Death comes to everyone eventually]], anyone can understand pain and suffering (though the extent may vary depending on individual life experiences), and the grief of losing that which one personally finds valuable is a feeling that anyone can understand, regardless of upbringing. Rape, on the other hand, is not a crime which ''everyone'' fears and relates to equally. Victims of rape and extreme torture are more isolated, on account of them having been made to suffer in a more carnal way; far beyond what most people can relate to. Thus, they are often regarded more sympathetically (and their attackers more contemptibly) than they would have been had the crime been something more universally-relatable. Additionally, while men and women can both be raped, women are much more likely to ''fear'' being raped due to statistical differences and the often gendered nature of the crime.

Rape also requires prolonged malevolence in a way that most other crimes do not. Even if cold-blooded murder is the crime with a comparatively further-reaching impact, it is still possible for that to be perpetrated by [[ProfessionalKiller someone who is either coldly dispassionate]], or [[HitmanWithAHeart who may have admirable traits yet is still able to suppress their conscience for the few seconds it takes to aim and fire a gun]]. Rape (barring rather improbable circumstances) however, is not a crime that can be committed in a few short moments of ruthlessness or madness, but requires the sustained pleasure of the rapist, making it something that can only be done by an attacker who is either [[TheSociopath completely indifferent to the victim's suffering]], or [[{{Sadist}} actively enjoys it]]. This can also be said of many sadistic torturers who enjoy killing their victims with as much pain as possible.

Compounding the issue is the much higher likelihood of rape survivors being subject to victim-blaming; often due to a misconception surrounding the attacker's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the perpetrator--their motive is not merely unfulfilled sexual "needs," but fragile egotism which results in them longing to assert their will onto somebody else. In other words: sexual desire ''does'' seem to influence ''who'' they target for assault and ''how'' they do it, but it is not ''why'' they commit such assaults to begin with (this is partially why young women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women non-sexually). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines sex and violence into one event, there is a far greater probability that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being solely driven by pent-up sexual desire and thus blame the victim for "leading on" the perpetrator (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having "too much sex"). All this does is further isolate victims and fail to address the underlying egotism which resulted in the perpetrator harming another person to begin with.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This however presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., discouraging promiscuity, [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; Kosher laws requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is (strictly-speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., punching someone or stealing money from them in their sleep, etc. is because the former--even if the victim never finds out what happened to them--presents a more heinous attack on their humanity and dignity--the reduction of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

Which then leads to the final reason why rape is a special kind of evil: unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person. The rapist meanwhile has primal, more animalistic motives which are still comprehensible to most people. Egotism, pent-up sexual desire, the longing to feel powerful and assert one's will, and the impulse to "go after" somebody who meets one's preferences are all feelings which most people do--to some extent--share, but generally don't act on due to their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathize with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

All that being said, rape of an adult (woman or man) still leaves its seat to rape of a child--the younger the child, the viler the act, even if it's perpetrated by a woman. Adult-on-child violence (especially murder, prostitution, exploitation for labor or torture) also trumps rape for the very simple reason that a child is completely defenseless; even more than a disempowered adult, not to mention it grossly deprives them of their innocence which is what people value from a child. The same goes for rape of a physically or mentally challenged person.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and the human body, more generally, is to protect our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This however presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., discouraging promiscuity, [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; Kosher laws requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is (strictly-speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., punching someone or stealing money from them in their sleep, etc. is because bodily invasion--even in the absence of pain--presents a more heinous attack on one's humanity and dignity--the reduction of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

* kill someone in self-defense, to preserve their own life.

All that being said, rape of an adult (woman or man) still leaves its seat to rape of a child--the younger the child, the viler the act, even if it's perpetrated by a woman. Adult-on-child violence (especially murder, prostitution, exploitation for labor or torture) also trumps rape for the very simple reason that a child is completely defenseless; even more than a disempowered adult. The same goes for rape of a physically or mentally challenged person.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex--and the human body, more generally--is to protect our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This however presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., discouraging promiscuity, [[GetARoom only permitting sex in private]] so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; Kosher laws requiring that certain foods only be prepared in specific ways, laws against desecrating the dead and/or requiring burial within a few hours of death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is (strictly-speaking) ''hurt'' by said behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]). This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., raping an unconscious person is seen as far worse than e.g., punching someone or stealing money from them in their sleep, etc. is because bodily invasion--even in the absence of pain--presents a more heinous attack on one's humanity and dignity--the reduction of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is to protect our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This however presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours after death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]) as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is--strictly speaking--''hurt'' by said behaviors. This has obvious implications for rape: a major reason why e.g., drugging and raping someone is seen as far worse than e.g., stealing money from them in their sleep is because the former presents a more heinous attack on one's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreatment of another human being as a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is to protect our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This however presents an issue when it comes to sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours after death, etc.). Furthermore, according to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), such norms are reinforced by what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors (e.g., [[ILoveTheDead necrophilia]]) as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing'', even if no one is--strictly speaking--''hurt'' by said behaviors. This has obvious implications for rape--a major reason why e.g., drugging and raping someone is seen as far worse than e.g., robbing them in their sleep, etc. is because the former presents a more heinous attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating of another human being like a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--simply put: the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, according to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], the behavioral immune system is very closely linked to our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, consequently, has vast implications for sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours after death, etc.). Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for rape--a major reason why sexual assault is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because the former presents a more heinous attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and [[https://youtu.be/1_t4FtpR58w?t=2035 Louise Perry]]), a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of what's called the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--simply put: the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'morally aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, according to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory Terror Management Theory]], the behavioral immune system is very closely linked to our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, consequently, has vast implications for sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold the distinction between "human" and "animal" must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours after death, etc.). Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for rape--a major reason why sexual assault is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because the former presents a more heinous attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and Louise Perry), a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of what Mark Schaller calls the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--simply put: the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, the behavioral immune system is very closely linked to our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, consequently, has vast implications for sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold a distinction between humans and animals must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., disallowing extramarital sex; only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours after death, etc.). Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for rape--a major reason why sexual assault is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because the former feels like a more carnal attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmz10uQsTYE&ab_channel=ReasonTV Jonathan Haidt]] and Louise Perry), a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of what Mark Schaller calls the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--simply put: the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, the behavioral immune system is very closely linked to our species' sense of purpose in life--that [[HumansAreSpecial we humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. This, consequently, has vast implications for sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes, death and menstruation--because these are all biological realities which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold a distinction between humans and animals must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., disallowing extramarital sex; only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special and exclusive act between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, laws requiring that bodies be buried within a few hours of death, etc.). Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard deviant sexual behaviors as not just abnormal or disgusting, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for rape--a major reason why sexual assault is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because the former feels like a more carnal attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behavior. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like Jonathan Haidt and Louise Perry, respectively), a major reason why humans build elaborate social norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of what Mark Schaller calls the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain behaviors as 'aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. Not only that, but the behavioral immune system is also linked very closely to our species' sense of purpose in life; that [[HumansAreSpecial we humans are different from, and more valuable/dignified than other living organisms]]. This, consequently, has vast implications for sex and other bodily functions like eating, expelling wastes and menstruation--because these are all biological functions which we share with other animals, a society that wants to uphold a distinction between the two must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to regulate and "sanctify" such behaviors (e.g., disallowing extramarital sex; only permitting sex in private so as to keep it special and exclusive between lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, etc.). Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard uncommon sexual acts as not only abnormal, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for sexual violence--a major reason why rape (among other, unpleasant sexual acts) is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because sexual assault feels like a more carnal attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

On the topic of social and cultural attitudes, another reason why rape is so uniquely bad is because it's a particularly extreme deviation from what most would regard as 'dignified' sexual behaviour. According to many social psychologists and even feminist authors (like Jonathan Haidt and Louise Perry, respectively), a major reason why human societies construct elaborate norms around sex and other, similar matters is because of what Mark Schaller calls the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_immune_system behavioral immune system]]"--the psychological mechanisms by which we perceive certain acts as 'particularly aberrant' are also the same mechanisms by which we react to carriers of potentially dangerous pathogens. This, of course, has many implications for sex and other bodily acts like eating, expelling wastes and menstruation, and the behavioral immune system is closely linked to our species' sense of purpose in life; that [[HumansAreSpecial we humans are more valuable and dignified than other living organisms]]. However, because there are many behaviours which we do have in common with other animals, a society which wants to uphold that distinction must create elaborate norms/restrictions in order to suppress and apply a "sacred" status to such behaviors (e.g., disallowing extramarital sex; only permitting sex in private so as to keep it a special act between committed lovers; not allowing certain foods to be eaten unless prepared in a certain way, etc.) Because of these evolved psychological mechanisms, humans have a tendency to regard uncommon sexual acts as not only unusual, but ''dehumanizing''. This has obvious implications for sexual violence--a major reason why rape (among other unpleasant sexual encounters, for that matter) is seen as far worse than e.g., violently mugging someone, etc. is because sexual assault feels like a more carnal attack on a person's sense of humanity and dignity--the mistreating (and reduction) of another human being to a mere "slab of meat" for one's own selfish, animalistic gratification.

Compounding the issue is the much higher likelihood of rape survivors being subject to victim-blaming; often due to a misconception surrounding the attacker's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the perpetrator--their motive is not unfulfilled sexual "needs," but fragile egotism which results in them longing to assert their will onto somebody else. In other words: sexual desire only seems to influence ''who'' they target for assault and ''how'' they do it; not ''why'' they committed the assault to begin with (this is partially why young women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women non-sexually). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines sex and violence into one event, there is a far greater probability that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being driven by pent-up sexual desire and thus blame the victim for "leading on" the perpetrator (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having "too much sex"). All this does is further isolate victims and fail to address the underlying egotism which resulted in the perpetrator harming another person to begin with.

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person. The rapist meanwhile has primal, more animalistic motives which are still comprehensible to most people. Egotism, the desire to feel powerful, the longing to assert one's will, and the impulse to "go after" somebody who meets one's sexual preferences are all feelings which most people do--to some extent--share, but generally don't act on due to their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathize with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person. The rapist meanwhile has primal, more animalistic motives which are still comprehensible to most people. Egotism, the desire to feel powerful, the longing to assert one's will, and the impulse to "go after" somebody who meets one's sexual preferences are all feelings which most people do--to some extent--share, but never act on due to their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathize with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

Compounding the issue is the much higher likelihood of rape survivors being subject to victim-blaming; often due to a misconception surrounding the attacker's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the perpetrator--their motive is not unfulfilled sexual "needs," but fragile egotism which results in them longing to assert their will onto somebody else. In other words: sexual desire only seems to influence ''who'' they target for rape; not ''why'' they commit rape to begin with (this is partially why young women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women non-sexually). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines sex and violence into one event, there is a far greater probability that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being driven by pent-up sexual desire and thus blame the victim for "leading on" the perpetrator (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having "too much sex"). All this does is further isolate victims and fail to address the underlying egotism which resulted in the perpetrator harming another person to begin with.

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person, while the rapist has motives that are still perfectly comprehensible to most people. Egotism, the desire to feel powerful, and the impulse to "go after" somebody who meets one's own sexual preferences are all feelings which most people do--to some extent--share, but are able to keep in check with their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathize with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

Rape also requires prolonged malevolence in a way that most other crimes do not. Even if cold-blooded murder is the crime with the comparatively further-reaching impact, it is possible for murder to be perpetrated by [[ProfessionalKiller someone who is coldly dispassionate]], or [[HitmanWithAHeart who may have admirable traits but is still able to suppress their conscience for the few seconds it takes to aim and fire a gun]]. Rape (barring rather improbable circumstances) however, is not a crime that can be committed in a few short moments of ruthlessness or madness, but requires the sustained pleasure of the rapist, making it something that can only be done by an attacker who is either [[TheSociopath completely indifferent to the victim's suffering]], or [[{{Sadist}} actively enjoys it]]. This can also be said of many sadistic torturers who enjoy killing their victims with as much pain as possible.

A compounding factor is the virtual impossibility of rape seeming in any way like a "fair fight". Comparing it again to other crimes, a killer who chooses victims that can't fight back [[DirtyCoward is considered far more contemptible]] than one who kills somebody [[WorthyOpponent who poses an immediate threat]], [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame regardless of motive]]. Rape meanwhile, requires the victim to be incapable of mounting an effective defence for a substantial length of time, meaning that even someone who might be formidable under other circumstances is rendered completely helpless for a sustained period of time, and not just for the brief moment in which one might gain an advantage in a fight.

Compounding the issue is the much higher likelihood of rape survivors becoming subject to victim-blaming, which generally stems from a misconception surrounding the perpetrator's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the attacker--their motive is not unfulfilled sexual "needs", but fragile egotism which results in them longing to assert their will onto somebody else. In other words: sexual desire only seems to influence ''who'' they target for rape; not ''why'' they commit rape to begin with (this is why attractive women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women, albeit in a non-sexual manner). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines sex and violence into one event, there is a far greater probability that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being due to pent-up sexual desire and thus the blame the victim for "leading on" the perpetrator (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having too much sex). All this does is further isolate victims and fail to address the underlying egotism which resulted in the perpetrator harming another person to begin with.

Compounding the issue is the much higher likelihood of rape survivors being subjected to victim-blaming, which generally stems from a common misconception surrounding the perpetrator's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the attacker--their motive is not unfulfilled sexual "needs", but fragile egotism translating to desire to harm and dominate another. In other words: sexual desire only seems to influence ''who'' they target for rape; not ''why'' they commit rape to begin with (this is also why attractive, young women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women in non-sexual manner). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines both sex and violence into one non-consensual act, there is a far greater probability that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being driven by pent-up sexual desire and thus the blame the victim for "leading on" the perpetrator (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having too much sex). All this does is further isolate victims and fail to address the underlying egotism which resulted in the perpetrator harming another person to begin with.

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist. Even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person, while the rapist has motives that are perfectly understandable to most people. Egotism, a desire to feel powerful, and the impulse to "go after" another person who meets one's own sexual preferences are all feelings which most people do--to some extent--share, but are able to keep in check with their ethics, conscience, and general ability to empathize with others. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers in fiction (and many works which paint them in a more sympathetic light) may simply be the fact that [[BoringInsult these depraved, murdering monsters are interesting in a way that depraved, raping monsters are not]].

Compounding the issue is the comparatively higher likelihood of rape survivors being subject to victim-blaming, which generally stems from a common misconception surrounding the perpetrator's motives. According to most psychiatric diagnoses, the overwhelming majority of rapes are mainly driven by megalomania on the part of the attacker--their motive is not unfulfilled sexual "needs", but fragile egotism translating to desire to harm and dominate another. In other words: sexual desire only seems to influence ''who'' they target for rape; not ''why'' they commit rape to begin with (this is also why attractive, young women are statistically the most likely to be raped, while convicted rapists who have undergone chemical castration are still prone to assaulting women in non-sexual manner). Unfortunately, due to this complicated overlap in motivations and the inherent fact that rape combines both sex and violence into one, there is a far greater likelihood that casual observers will misinterpret the crime as being driven by pent-up sexual desire, and thus the blame the attack on the victim's own

and/or fail to comprehend the circumstances which led to the victim being taken advantage of (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having too much sex). All this does is further humiliate the victim and fail to address the power-hungry egotism which drove the perpetrator to act in the way they did to begin with.

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamorous about a rapist; even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person, while the rapist has motives that are perfectly understandable to most people, and operates on impulses that most people share to some extent but keep in check with their conscience. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers and so many works that paint them in a more sympathetic light may simply be that [[BoringInsult these murdering monsters are interesting in a way that raping monsters are not,]] while still being utterly depraved.

Furthering the subject of equality and power dynamics is the fact that--when compared to rape--murder, mild torture, and theft all seem less unfairly victimizing because the consequences of each crime (death, pain, and loss, respectively) are all things which ''everyone'' can fear and relate to in some way. [[WeAllDieSomeday Death comes to everyone eventually]], anyone can understand pain and suffering (though the extent may vary depending on individual life experiences), and the grief of losing that which one personally finds valuable is a feeling that anyone can understand, regardless of upbringing. Rape, on the other hand, is not a crime which ''everyone'' fears and relates to equally. Victims of rape and extreme torture are more isolated, on account of them having been made to suffer in a more carnal way; far beyond what most people can relate to. Thus, they are at best regarded sympathetically (and their attackers more contemptibly) than they would have been had the crime been something more universally-understandable. At worst, they may be more likely to experience victim-blaming by those who fail to comprehend the circumstances which led to their suffering (e.g., no one ever blames a murder victim for having "too much life," but there are many who ''would'' blame a rape victim for having too much sex). Additionally, while men and women can both be raped, women are much more likely to ''fear'' being raped due to statistical differences and the often gendered nature of the crime.

A compounding factor is the virtual impossibility of rape seeming in any way like a "fair fight". Comparing it again to other crimes, a killer who chooses victims that can't fight back at all [[DirtyCoward is considered far more contemptible]] than one who kills somebody [[WorthyOpponent who poses an immediate threat]], [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame regardless of motive]]. A rape requires the victim to be incapable of mounting an effective defence for a substantial length of time, meaning that even someone who might be formidable under other circumstances is completely helpless at that point, and not just for the brief moment in which one might gain an advantage in a fight.

Furthering the subject of equality and power dynamics is the fact that--compared to rape--murder, (mild) torture, and theft all seem less unfairly victimizing because the results of each crime (death, suffering, and loss, respectively) are all things which ''everyone'' can fear and relate to in some way. [[WeAllDieSomeday Death comes to everyone eventually]], anyone can understand pain and suffering (though the extent may vary depending on the individual), and losing that which one personally finds valuable is an experience which anyone can understand regardless of upbringing. Rape, on the other hand, is not a crime which ''everyone'' fears and relates to equally. Victims of rape and extreme torture have been made to suffer in a more carnal way; far beyond what most people can imagine--let alone relate to--and thus they are often regarded more sympathetically (and their attackers more contemptibly) than they would have been had the crime been something more universally-understandable. Additionally, while men and women can both be raped, women are much more likely to ''fear'' being raped due to statistical differences and the often gendered nature of the crime.

Rape also requires prolonged malevolence in a way that most other crimes do not; even if cold-blooded murder is the more serious crime, it is possible for that to be perpetrated by [[ProfessionalKiller somebody coldly dispassionate]], or [[HitmanWithAHeart someone who has suppressed their conscience for the few moments it takes to aim and fire but might have other admirable traits]]. Rape (barring rather improbable circumstances) is not a crime that can be committed in a few seconds of ruthlessness or madness, but requires the sustained pleasure of the rapist, making it something that can only be done by an attacker who is [[TheSociopath either totally indifferent to the victim's suffering]], or [[{{Sadist}} actively enjoys it]]. This can be said of some sadistic torturers as well who enjoy killing their victims with as much pain as possible.

All that being said, rape of an adult (woman or man) still leaves its seat to rape of a child, the younger the child, the viler the act, even if it's perpetrated by a woman. Adult on child violence, especially murder, prostitution, exploitation for labor or torture also trumps rape for the very simple reason that a child is completely defenseless, even more than an adult woman. Same goes for a physically or mentally challenged person.

Furthering the subject of equality and power dynamics is the fact that--compared to rape--murder, (mild) torture, and theft all seem less unfairly victimizing because the results of each crime--death, suffering, and loss, respectively--are all things which ''everyone'' can fear and relate to in some way. [[WeAllDieSomeday Death comes to everyone eventually]], anyone can understand pain and suffering (though the extent may vary depending on the individual), and losing that which one personally finds valuable is an experience which anyone can understand regardless of upbringing. Rape, on the other hand, is not a crime which ''everyone'' fears and relates to equally. Victims of rape and extreme torture have been made to suffer in a more carnal way; far beyond what most people can imagine--let alone relate to--and thus they are often regarded more sympathetically (and their attackers more contemptibly) than they would have been had the crime been something more universally-understandable. Additionally, while men and women can both be raped, women are much more likely to ''fear'' being raped due to statistical differences and the often gendered nature of the crime.

Furthering the subject of equality and power dynamics is the fact that murder, (mild) torture, and theft are all relatable to us because the results of each crime--death, suffering, and loss, respectively--are all understandable to us in some way. [[YourDaysAreNumbered Death comes to everyone eventually]], anyone can understand pain and suffering to at least ''some'' extent (it may vary depending on the person), and losing that which one personally finds valuable is an experience that anyone can understand regardless of upbringing. Rape, on the other hand, is not a crime which ''everyone'' fears and relates to equally--victims of rape and extreme torture have been made to suffer in a more carnal way, far beyond what most people can relate to or even understand. Thus, they are seen as more sympathetic (and their attackers more contemptible) than if the crime were something more universally-understandable. Additionally, while men and women can both be raped, women are much more likely to ''fear'' being raped due to statistical differences and the often-gendered nature of the crime.

Finally, unlike other major crimes, there is nothing glamourous about a rapist; even the most sadistic SerialKiller may be darkly fascinating due to the sheer alien incomprehensibility of their motives to the average person, while the rapist has motives that are perfectly understandable to most people, and operates on impulses that most people share to some extent but keep in check with their conscience. The reason why there is so much focus on serial killers and so many works that paint them in a more sympathetic light may simply be that [[BoringInsult these murdering monsters are interesting in a way that raping monsters are not,]] while still being utterly depraved.