Rape

1. Is an expression of power and a means of demeaning the victim. Psychologically more close to torture than an act of sex. So calling for castration of offenders etc is unnecessarily unwittingly demonizing the act of sex.

2. Is an act of bonding as in gang rape or "ragging"

3. May also be a rite of passage or initiation into a 'gang'

4.  In most of the cases is by a person known to the victim -- A family member or neighbour.

5. I am not aware of  any study pointing to the rapist of a stranger being rapist of known people (usually an "inferior" person, a child for instance). Won't be surprised if that is the case.

6. Burden of proof of innocence should be on the accused if act of sex or an attempt is established. Let people be more careful with whom they get into 'consensual' sex.

7. Popular culture--Here I draw a blank. I can feel the inner  resistance to being made to watch TV or films or read mush.--- Play to my strength-- That shall be my task for 2013-- Image of women in Newspapers & hoardings-- Though it might be weird coming from some one ignorant of popular culture --Not so ignorant-I have watched The three idiots, Lage raho Munnabhai, and enjoyed them.

8. Download all articles over the past few days & analyse them and their reader responses. That will be easier for me.

9. Some thing like "Ways of Seeing" - an analysis of popular images.