Acquaintance Rape

2 Pages 587 Words

The last time I had to debate an issue, it was on the subject of “Acquaintance Rape.” My goal was to inform my audience that rape is most often committed, least reported, and least prosecuted serious crime in the United States. I also wanted to convey the fact that rape is an act of violence using sex as a weapon. It is also an attempt to control and dominate the other’s physical and emotional safety. Thus, it is not about simply letting ones sexual passions get out of control or is it about how a person looks. Date rape is defined as nonconsensual sex between people who have a social or dating relationship. This term was created to make people aware that rape is not only when a stranger attacks, but it can happen between two people who know each other. This type of attacker may be a friend, associate, classmate, neighbor or relative. In order to achieve the goal of informing my audience as to the serious of this topic, I researched the issue and presented some alarming statistics.
I feel that this argument was somewhat typical of my argument style, however I had to keep in mind the sensitivity of the subject matter. In light of this fact, my approach needed to be a little less adversarial. Typically, I would have been a little more competitive and confrontational. However, I decided to take the consensual approach in some areas such as trying to be both logical and emotional.
I feel that in this particular instance that gender and life experience has influenced my argument style. As a survivor of sexual abuse, I understand the confusion one experiences about whether or not he or she has consented to a sexual act. I also understand that in some instances the perpetrator often feels that he is “entitled” to sex. Both attitudes are incorrect. Unless sex is fully consensual for both parties, it can be classified as rape. Nothing ever gives you the right to force sex. It does not make you cool, powerful, sm...