In the mind of a rapist

By Wendel Abel

The country is shocked at the incident in which five females, including an eight year-old child, all from one family, were raped. Many people are struggling to understand what could motivate a man or a group of men to commit such a horrendous and cruel act. Are these men insane? Do they have a chemical imbalance? Is it that they are simply wicked, degenerate beasts?

Ponder this. A friend of mine told me of a horrible situation where a man attempted to rape her. She turned to him, cursed a few 'bad words' and challenged him to do a good job. The man lost his erection and walked away. One would not recommend this action to women threatened by a rapist, but it certainly raises some questions and answers about rape and rapists.

Power and aggression

Rape is a violent act. Sex is not the central issue in rape. It is about aggression and power. Many rapists are aroused by placing a woman in a situation where she is forced to have sex and where she is distressed by physical and psychological pain.

Rapists are personality-disordered

There is no single profile that describes all rapists. Men rape for different reasons and they commit rape in different ways. But any man or group of men who could commit such a heinous act on women cannot be normal and must be psychologically disturbed and would have a serious personality disorder.

Psychopathic behaviour

Many rapists show psychopathic behaviour. About 50 per cent of serial rapists have psychopathic traits, such as having no conscience. They do not have a sense of remorse for acts they commit, and they do not take responsibility for their actions.

Psychological conflict

Studies have shown that some rapists report feeling angry, worthless and depressed prior to committing the act. Additionally, they feel powerless and inadequate. It is through the act of inflicting pain on the woman during forced sex that they are able to release some of their anger and negative emotions. The act of rape makes them feel powerful.

Pleasure out of inflicting pain

One-third of rapists derive pleasure out of inflicting pain on the victim, and the intention is to humiliate and degrade the victim.

Women haters

Some rapists have developed hostile relationships with women and have an underlying hatred for women. As a result, the act of rape is intended to abuse and dehumanise women and to leave them to suffer in pain.

Disturbed childhood

Many rapists have had a disturbed childhood. Studies have shown that eight out of 10 rapists have been abused as children. Many rapists also have a history of family violence and an unsettled childhood. They have difficulty forming healthy and trusting relationships with persons and have a lot of buried anger and negative emotions.

Give support to survivors

Rape is both a frightening and traumatic experience for the victim. Persons who have been raped are left with multiple mental-health problems from which many never completely recover. Indeed, while the physical scars may heal, the psychological scars take a long time to heal, if any at all. Most women who have been raped need support, care, comfort, and time to heal.

As a nation, while we express our disgust at the atrocity committed, the nation and health providers stand ready to lend our support and services to these women who have been traumatised. We hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice swiftly and decisively and that the country will be able to put closure and move on once again after yet another shocking crime.

May God bless this my poor, little Jamaica.

Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head, Section of Psychiatry, Department Of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies. Email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.