Rape in its simplest form (and the meaning most people understand the word to mean), is when a man forces a woman to have sex with him. Usually this is done by using either the threat of violence, or by over powering a weaker woman from a stronger man.
Although it is a sexual act, most experts agree that the act of rape in this context is psychologically about the seizing of power for the man, and the fact that he is in the position to do what he likes, when he likes.
In many cultures, in times gone by a woman that was married, could not legally be raped by her husband, however in recent times the laws of most progressive countries have been changed to recognise that rape is equally applicable in these circumstances.
There are other types of rape. For most countries that have a legal age before someone can have sex, any sexual act with an under aged person constitutes rape.
In unusual circumstances it can happen where more than one person rapes an individual, this is commonly referred to as "Gang rape".
It is also not unknown for men to be the victim of rape, the common term for this is "Man Rape".
Like murderers, some rapists get a liking for the act they commit, they then become called "Serial Rapists".
However it happens, rape is a deplorable act, and the victims of rape, suffer mental anguish that can last a lifetime. It is important that victims receive the correct help, and assistance to come to terms with what they were subjected to.
As for the rapists themselves, many simply get away with what they did, purely because the legal processes require the victims to re-live what happened to them, many do not feel strong enough to go through this. It is also an established fact that many victims know their attackers.
Regardless of the circumstances no person deserves to have their humanity stolen in this way. - � +