Does age matter to a rapist?

Many in society still blame a woman's clothes, behaviour, or character for rape. Some question how she walks or talks, others focus on her dress. But if these were the reasons, why are infants in their mothers' arms victimised? Why are elderly women not spared? Do rapists consider age before committing the crime? The answer is a resounding "no."
Rape is not a sexual urge; it is a filthy expression of power. This mental perversion drives criminals to victimise everyone - from children to the elderly - without regard for age, dress, or place. In today's society, a woman's biggest "crime" often seems to be her very identity as a woman. To the perpetrators, victims are not seen as human; they are reduced to objects of lust and tools of perverted pleasure.
As long as society continues to blame women for rape, these criminals will feel emboldened. What is needed is not only strict laws but also a change in mindset. Punishment for rapists must be ensured, and society must recognise that it is not age, but humanity and respect, that can truly ensure a woman's safety.

Nusrat Jahan
Student
Jagannath University