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In many works, as in RealLife, rape is an appalling crime that brutalizes the victim and can destroy lives. While some other works play rape for [[RapeIsLove sexual fantasies]] or [[RapeAsComedy laughs]], these treat it soberly, for a dramatic purpose.

That doesn't necessarily mean that it's treated tactfully. All too often, it's a case of the DisposableWoman becoming the DistressedDamsel (or even getting StuffedIntoTheFridge) to [[ItsPersonal motivate the male vigilante]]. If multiple rapists were involved, expect the vigilante (or, occasionally, the victim) to go on a full-bore RoaringRampageOfRevenge.

It is also used as {{Chickification}} to make an otherwise unapproachable woman into a needy one. Like RapeIsLove...except someone ''else'' provided the rape. It is also used to [[RapeAsRedemption motivate]] an [[UnfortunateImplications overly independent]] bad girl to [[HeelFaceTurn change her ways]].

Horrifically overused in FanFic, for a number of reasons. Most often, it's just as a cheap shock in backstory [[RapeIsTheNewDeadParents without bothering to explain it any further than a sentence]]. Sometimes it's used in a case of DieForOurShip, in which [[{{Demonization}} the character the writer hates is the rapist]], and the rape is used as a device to [[HurtComfortFic get the two desired characters together]] (usually after the character the writer wants to "win" the ship war kills the perpetrator). Sometimes it's just used to make a [[TheWoobie Woobie]] out of the writer's desired CanonSue, or to pair the author's MarySue or MartyStu with the victim in a HurtComfortFic. Most egregious when it's obviously [[CharacterDerailment horrendously out-of-character]] for the rapist to be committing such a terrible crime. It's arguable that less than 1% of FanFic actually uses RapeAsDrama effectively, as most of the 10% of "good fics" that SturgeonsLaw claims there to be avoid using rape entirely.

Like {{Blackmail}}, to list all the variations and permutations of RapeAsDrama here would be a lesson in madness.

See also PrisonRape, RapeAsBackstory, and RapeIsTheNewDeadParents. Contrast RapeAsComedy, RapeIsLove.
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