The global rape epidemic: How laws around the world help the rapist

In fact, rape laws are crafted in such a way that they provide a loophole to the accused to get away with the crime. Photo: Shutterstock/ IndiaPicture

Rape. A four-letter-word that scares the living daylights out of every woman. And no matter how socially developed some countries around the world are, women still live in the fear of sexual violence. Those, who are fortunate enough to not be born in a banana republic, can still pin their hopes on the judiciary to seek justice. However, not every country is benevolent towards its female citizens.

Under the safe umbrella of flawed laws, some legal systems try to compensate rape with marriage and other totally absurd verdicts.

According to a report by Foreign Policy magazine, since 2000, at least 10 countries have changed their laws to provide a stronger defense against sexual crimes. However, in many others, legislators who try to tackle these problems face a deeply rooted patriarchy that has justified its rule over women with oppressive diktats.

In fact, the laws are crafted in such a way that they provide a loophole to the accused to get away with the crime by adhering to the social norms.

For instance, in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey, the rapist can escape punishment if he seeks forgiveness from the from the victim. Once the woman excuses him, he is free to live his life without consequences. Now, it's not hard to image the tactics the rapists can use to make women comply.

Under the safe umbrella of flawed laws, some legal systems try to compensate rape with marriage. Photo Courtesy: Foreign Policy

Also read: In a case of absurd justice, Idaho judge sentences man convicted of rape to abstain from sex until marriage

And there's more.

In countries such as Belgium, Croatia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand, rapists can actually buy the mercy!

In this case, the accused can draft a settlement--financial or otherwise with the family of the victim to escape persecution. So, the more financially adequate you are the more are the chances of you going scot-free.

Well, if this sounds blasphemous to you, then do note, there are a few nations that allow perpetrators of sexual violence to marry their victims. In Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Tajikistan, and Tunisia men can evade justice after raping women by simply marrying them.

Not a great world we are living in, are we?

Also read: In Arkansas, victims of marital rape can now be sued by their husbands for having an abortion