Can this be true, is rape more of a problem in the U.S. than places like India?

[Carnos Jax]

I'm almost embarrassed to be posting this, due to the possibility of having read it incorrectly.

And call me a clueless American, perhaps this is common knowledge (in which case forgive me for bringing up the obvious considering current events).

As a result of the media attention regarding the gang rape in India, I came across this factoid at various sites. For example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_statis...Statistics

What am I missing? The specific stat referenced above states that for the last few years the U.S. has averaged about 30 rapes per 100,000 people. India is about 2. When factoring out population size, the U.S. total is about 3 times worse than India.

In fact, I'm tempted to say that the stats aren't accurate because rape is probably more (perhaps far more) under-reported in India than it is here (maybe due to the whole family honor thing?).

[Black]

Carnos Jax wrote:
I'm almost embarrassed to be posting this, due to the possibility of having read it incorrectly.

And call me a clueless American, perhaps this is common knowledge (in which case forgive me for bringing up the obvious considering current events).

As a result of the media attention regarding the gang rape in India, I came across this factoid at various sites. For example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_statis...Statistics

What am I missing? The specific stat referenced above states that for the last few years the U.S. has averaged about 30 rapes per 100,000 people. India is about 2. When factoring out population size, the U.S. total is about 3 times worse than India.

In fact, I'm tempted to say that the stats aren't accurate because rape is probably more (perhaps far more) under-reported in India than it is here (maybe due to the whole family honor thing?).

This list[17] indicates the number of, and per capita cases of recorded rape. It does not include cases of rape which go unreported, or which are not recorded.[18] Nor does it specify whether recorded means reported, brought to trial, or convicted. Nor does it take the different definition of rape around the world into account.

I'm confused as to why you seem unsure/tentative about Indian cultural factors which may be contributing to a culture of silence.

[Carnos Jax]

And that very well may explain it. Like I said, I was surprised at the statistic as I felt it must surely be 'off'.

[Carnos Jax]

Also, I wouldn't have expected such a difference between Canada and the U.S. (some, but not that much).

[Chakravartin]

It's not just how much goes reported, it's how they define rape.

In India, for example, if a woman is deemed "habituated to sex" then it is judged that her character is not of sufficient quality to call a sexual assault a "rape."

The FBI, meanwhile, has been widening their definition of rape and recently expanded it to include men for the first time in 2011.

[$tevie]

http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sta...al-assault

[cbelt3]

Statistics are often less than useful. The cultural repression of women is the issue. The horrific crime of rape is a symptom of that cultural defect. I'll let the ladies here provide a more relevant opinion.

My only relevant experience is being proud of my daughter many years ago for dealing with a date who would not take no for an answer. Knee to the nuts, boot to the head. Done. She's one of the lucky ones.

[Carnos Jax]

cbelt3 wrote:
Statistics are often less than useful. The cultural repression of women is the issue. The horrific crime of rape is a symptom of that cultural defect...

No doubt, and we've got other threads discussing the cultural issues. I just wanted to post this because it surprised me and I was looking for explanations (of which several plausible ones have been suggested).

[$tevie]

If my link is to be believed, rapes have gone DOWN in this country. Although it is true that the statistics on rape seem to be tough to compile. And are none too pleasant despite getting lower.

[mattkime]

statistics are always difficult to compile over time since measurement methods change.