Yes, in our society we view rape as a horrible crime, which when convicted in many cases comes with great punishment. So how can we live in a rape culture then?

Yes it is true that almost all people will view rape as a horrible crime; however the extent to which an individual thinks a situation even is rape, the extent to which it is a horrible crime changes given the perceptions beliefs and values of the person.

A historical example of this is spousal rape, despite (non-spousal) rape being illegal and considered a heinous crime Prior to the 1970s (in the united states) it was entirely legal to rape your wife or husband.

How can his contradiction exist? This is because what rape was perceived to be, wasn't based in a lack of consent, but on this idealised view of rape in which their is a 'perfect' victim and 'perfect' perpetrator.

Now, of course times have changed and most people do not believe in those things.

However rape myths and other cognitive distortions related to rape are still prevalent. Rather, rape culture refers to the fact that we live in a society where the behaviour, thoughts, and actions of rapists can be concealed in a socially acceptable fashion. Rape culture allows rapists to justify their behaviours to themselves and hide among the rest of us.

These are beliefs (which both men and women have), which many not be held by the majority, exist in various extents in different subgroups:

  • Only slutty girls get raped/“Good girls” don’t get raped
  • Date rape or ''boyfriend rape;'' isn't as bad as ''Alleyway rape''
  • They were drunk and dressed really slutty, so a lack of consent is ok
  • It’s not rape if they had a boner, orgasm, or otherwise enjoyed it
  • All men are horny anyway, men can’t get raped
  • Its rapes because they are my gf/bf etc
  • It not rape because they didn't fight back
  • Its not rape because they didn't say no
  • Its not rape because force or violence were not used
  • Attractive men don't need to rape
  • ''Ugly'' girls don't get raped
  • “rapists are sex-starved, insane, or both” rather then otherwise 'normal' people

There are lots of rape myth prevalence studies. And many say different things based on age, race religion, location, country etc.

However here's one recent notable study from the The Crown Prosecution Service (UK) in 2024.

The response of 18-24-year-olds is particularly concerning:

  • Only half recognised that it can still be rape if a victim doesn’t resist or fight back (53% got this right)
  • Less than half recognised victims may not immediately report to the police (43% got this right)
  • Less than half recognised that being in a relationship or marriage does not mean consent to sex can be assumed (42% got this right, compared to 87% of people aged 65 and above)
  • Less than half recognised that if a man has been drinking or taking drugs, he is still responsible if he rapes someone (46% got this right)
  • Young people were also far less likely to understand that if a person says online they want to meet up and have sex, that doesn’t mean they have to have sex when they meet (28% of 18-24-year-olds got this right, compared to 54% of people overall)
  • Overall, two thirds (62%) of respondents recognised that even if no physical force is involved a person might not be free and able to consent to sex; but this dropped to 40% when young people were asked, compared with 74% of over 65s.