Should we destigmatize rapists?

Question

Obviously rape is wrong. But there is a big difference between someone who has violent sexual thoughts and someone who acts on them. Obviously rape should be punished, but rapists should be destigmatized so it's easier for them to seek the help they need before they hurt someone again rather than after.

Violent sexual desires itself isn't a choice. Nobody chooses to have those thoughts. It's a psychiatric disorder which can be managed with psychotherapy and medication.

This is only one of many psychiatric disorders that are stigmatized to the point of people with them are too scared to come forward and do something about it.

GreatBigCircles · Accepted Answer

So I worked with someone who was a convicted rapist. He had spent over 20 years in prison for it. And he was also one of the most supportive managers I've ever worked with in retail. He protected several of my coworkers from abusive supervisors, actually intervened in a sexual abuse attempt by another manager, and was just all around one of the nicest and patient people I've ever met.

He never lied or tried to down play what happened. And even though that a great deal of people who commit rape will never rehabilitate due personality disorders that simply aren't treatable even with psychological and pharmaceutical treatment... I can't really say that I would want to give up on the few that can change. I sure as hell don't know a good system that could prevent the bad ones from reentering society while enable the ones who can rehabilitate back in. But I think actually making prisons a place for rehabilitation instead of dehabilitation would be a good start.

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

You wrote:
"Violent sexual desires itself isn't a choice. Nobody chooses to have those thoughts. It's a psychiatric disorder which can be managed with psychotherapy and medication."

Yes and no.
Having thoughts is one thing.
Executing on those thoughts is something else.
The inhibition center in the brain is what is supposed to prevent us from executing actions which we should not do. Generally, it works. In some cases, perhaps psychoactive drugs should be needed, but usually not.

I will let Captain Kirk explain about violence...

douride2 · Accepted Answer

in my opinion rapists should be slowly castrated with a dull butcher knife. No relief for the pain. Then again I am more then a little bias on this subject.

richardcory · Answer

As far as I know the term "rapist" means someone who commits rape. No way I want to destigmitize that.

But if you are talking about people with rape *fantasies* that is a whole different thing. I have no problem with any fantasies, or any consensual sexual play. There are lots of people with rape fantasies - more often as victims than aggressors, and that's fine as long as its acted out with consenting patners

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

Rapist is someone who rapes someone, there is no stigma.

DextroShade · Answer

Guys who actually rape women are sociopaths and cannot be helped. What we really should stop doing is broadening the definition of rape to include things like drunken hookups or gangbang that the female later regrets.

bolverk · Answer

NO, Rape should not be destigmatized, to rape someone is a conscious choice not a psychiatric disorder,

Anonymous · Answer

You aren’t a rapist until you’ve raped someone.

Anonymous · Answer

No and it'll never happen anyway.

Dat-Alpha-Lion · Answer

Why the hell is this even a question

gothbxtch · Answer

NO WTF

Should we destigmatize rapists?

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