Paraphilias are characterized by sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving non-human objects (Fetishism, Transvestic Fetishism), suffering or humiliation (Sexual Sadism, Masochism), children (Pedophilia) or other non-consenting person (Voyeurism, Frotteurism, Exhibitionism). Rape is forced sexual intercourse with a nonconsensual person. Although rape does involve urges with non-consenting persons, I feel that it is a crime of violence and that it is not motivated purely by sexual urges, but by feelings of intense anger, hostility and raw rage, and should not be included under paraphilias.
If rape or sexual assault were included under paraphilias, we would be merely implying that it is a sexual deviance or perversion. In other words, something that is unusual or away from the norm. Yes, rape is away from the norm, but 'away from the norm' is a casual definition and rape needs to be addressed at a more in depth level than that. In essence, I feel that it would be taking away from the true nature of the act-violence.
Men and hetairai in sexual intercourse.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month display
A sexual assault awareness poster.Forced sexual intercourse should not be waved off as a deviance. If you force someone to do something, you are exorcising a need for control and a need to have power over that person. When the other person is unwilling to comply, the person who is trying to establish their control gets angry and will use force to get what they want. Rape is essentially an act of power and dominance.
As I was reading articles on this subject, I came across a web site called "ENDING AMERICAN MORALISM: A NON-MORALISTIC APPROACH TO DEVIANCY" by the The Vernon Johns Society Homepage. It argues that rape should be included under paraphilias.
"A popular theory is that rape is not really a crime of sex but a crime of violence. The problem with this is that...