Why Do Men Rape? Male Prisoners’ Viewpoints through a Feminist’s Review

Abstract

Rape cases have become more and more common nowadays. It is seen to be going rampant from day to day, with the number of victims increasing. A study to analyze the factors that lead to rape from adult rapists’ perspective was conducted at Pengkalan Chepa Male Prison (PCMP), Kelantan. Feminist views and laws concerning rape are adopted in the explanation and comparison of the factors. Questionnaires were distributed to 44 adult males who were convicted of committing rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code where the offenders are sentenced to jail. The study found that the main factors for the males to commit rape were their desire for sex and inability to resist lust (75%), the influence of pornography and porn videos (47.7%), the seductiveness of a woman (52.3%) and women’s attire (45%). The misconception of rape being assumed as sexual intercourse instead of a crime shows that the victims are often blamed for provoking rape. The implication of the study is discussed.