ARE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE DEFILED BY THE ACT?

ST. AUGUSTINE ON RAPE

            Rape, which is basically the abduction or the use of force on someone in other to get sexual gratification, has always been a serious crime from antiquity. Women are most times the victims of rape. It is an unforgettable experience and in some cases causes trauma. However, many have some wrong conceptions about rape. Sometimes, the women are blamed for been too exposed or been the cause of the action especially through their manner of dressing and conduct. More so, another group of people have this idea that women are practically defied by the act.

            St. Augustine in his City of God, addressed these issues. First, he sets out to console the women who were raped during the invasion of Rome. He goes further to argue that victims of rape are not defied by the act. He argues that chastity is a thing of the mind and no one can touch it unless we give

our consent. We cannot, sometimes, control the things that happen in our bodies but we can control that of our mind and if the mind is holy and pure, then the body is holy as well. “The body is rendered holy by the act of a holy will.” (City of God. 1.16)

In his defence of the guiltlessness of the victim, he added that when the body is weak and overpowered but still remains steadfast in its resolve to be pure, then the guilt does not belong to the two but only to the person enforcing himself. Sure, two persons were involved but only one committed adultery because of the consent of the will. (City of God. 1.19)

It is also, the case that sexual pleasure does not mean consent because it is in the nature of the body to experience pleasure during a sexual activity. Thus, if it is the case that we cannot control the pleasure during rape and how then can one be guilty of sin because of the pleasure?

He concluded by reassuring the women that God knows why he allows such things to happen to them, he alone can bring out good from the wrong which they have experienced. Perhaps he wanted to humble them or to prevent a greater evil. He also assures them that justice would, one day, be done for them. If not in this life, then in the next. (City of God. 1.28)

            Thus, Augustine teaches us that the act of rape is a grave offense against God and humanity. However, the act of rape does not defy the victim. Even though the experience is a terrible one, the victims are encouraged not to live in the past but to move ahead with life.