Topic of Rape and how it's perceived by audience

[Tanako]

Before you comment please read what I have written. This is an opinion and I want to have a simple less toxic conversation about it. we are all supposed to be mature so let's all act like it. I will begin...

I have noticed the topic of rape offends people. I understand. no one wants to talk about it, read about it or even see it. it's horrendous and inhumane. I get it. but it happens and worst of all, it happens to people around us and close family and friends. its a sensitive subject and i understand.

I have witnessed some artists and writers implement this into their stories. I personally don't see anything wrong with it as long as it's necessary for the story and not for glorification. reason being, it happens. and if the artist feels that implementing rape into their writing or comic is necessary I think they should go for it. no judgment.

Personally, I don't understand why people can't just enjoy something for the way it is and if a comic obviously says "RAPE" trigger warning, why click on it and read it only to turn around to bash on an artist who is just trying to tell a story? I don't get it because it's simple. if it's against your morals, don't read it. if you have an issue with it, don't read it. if you see the mature warning sign and you know damn well you won't like it, don't read it. its really that simple.

What is my point? My point is, artist and writers should be able to tell a story regardless of if it’s accepted or not and not feel guilty or Ridiculed for choosing a taboo subject. And most times I see artists get bashed for this.

[ViktorGrim]

Agreed. I'd also like to add, that it is a life changing event. If it's part of a character's history that influences their development, or if it's an event that happens in the plot and part of the plot is how they deal with it, that's something that shouldn't be silenced.

My fiancee was raped several times throughout her life. She doesn't notice, but I've noticed that she tends to write characters that have experienced it, and every time it's something a little different and she's better able to deal with what happened afterwards. She's been doing it for the ten years I've been with her.

My point is. Some people write about it in order to deal with it having happened to them. Also, it's reality. I get we want to try and dive into escapism and avoid reality a lot these days, but it happens, and not all stories are escapism.

The biggest issue is if it's handled tastefully and "correctly". Which is to say, as OP stated, not for glorification. Beyond that, if the story's got a warning, and you ignore it and take offense anyway, you have literally no one to blame but yourself.

[AceRagz]

I've always been neutral on the subject as long as it seems part of the natural flow of the story. I mean sometimes there are people willing to do horrid things to other people and if it seems something a certain character would do then yeah I can understand the author's use of it.

The only time I find myself upset over it is when I see when its an obvious rape fantasy being played out. Or if I later see an artist label the work a rape porn.

[liann]

It's not something I'd ever include in my story. But if it fits someone else's story, I really don't mind. I think one show that I remember including it as backstory is Death Parade. But the characters had to be responsible for it. It wasn't explicit (as far as I remember) and it was used for character development.

What I do mind is when it's obviously used as fanservice. When doing rape, please don't make it fucking sensual. Ive seen countless shows and movies portray unwanted sexual advances as romantic or hot.

edit: can i add one more thing? so many people use rape/abuse backstories cheaply to skip actual character development and just let their character be defined by tragic bacsktories to get sympathy points from the readers. That's what I mostly hate about the portrayal of rape and abuse in fiction.

[BobbyjoeX]

watch me word this not quite right and people start to demonize me.

in my opinion, weather it is for plot, needless suspense or fanservice.... it is all in fiction. do i condone people act upon it in a real life situation, definitely not, absolutely not, but do i see it not being ok that it is in fiction? no... i think its fine in fiction AS LONG as it STAYS in fiction.

TL;DR: personally am fine with it IN FICTION

Edit:... found out the comic in question is a premium comic............... now i have a problem >:l

[TheXtraordinaryX]

I really really really don't want to say this, though as a writer i feel the obligation. I believe there is a difference between fictional persistence, and fictional rape. Persistence is a fetish, a form of romance, and something that the uke/bottom/taker secretly desires(the secret adds to the flare). However I do believe that it is as valid a story telling trope as fluff, the misunderstanding, love at first sight, etc.

Rape is something real that i hope i never understand in it's entirety. I have been treated unfairly, robbed, humiliated, pushed to the edge of insanity. But i have never experienced something so real, so unspeakable. I can only hope those that have don't let it define their existence. It is their experience and their pace to heal.

I will write persistence. Never rape. I believe there is a difference in fiction. I can't speak for reality. But i know enough about fiction to know the difference between technical mutual love in the eyes of the writer, and something that is clearly not wanted.

I don't have any thoughts on those who write rape since i'll never do it, but I do see a difference. I hope i didn't offend anyone. And i'm sorry.

[magalise]

Personally I believe that rape is a form of lazy character development most of the time. It is used to make 'girls' turn into 'women' but having their 'innocence' stripped. I see it in so many TV shows and books... biggest I can think of off the top of my head is Sansa from the tv show Game of Thrones --> i turned into a ruthless boss bitch because i was raped and humiliated but you taught me all i know now get eaten by your bitches... Like really?

Also rape of a woman somehow always seems to 'tarnish' her'. Oh no you must protect your chastity and honor above all or you aren't worth anything. So rape is used as a shock value.

I think it is a very important subject that many people have been affected by, and i would prefer to see more intricate views (how deeply it is in graved in our westernized society, how silent most victims stay for fear of not having value, what if the main character was the rapist etc..) of it than have it simple be used as shock value or a sudden 'made her grow up'.

[AceRagz]

The reason we see this in stories as a common used trope because let's face it when there is a story with a male rape victim it's usually in a comedy and played completely off as a joke. I have rarely seen it taken serious.

[TheXtraordinaryX]

I've seen it in the omegaverse. The idea that an unlucky person has to live their lives with a burden that makes the elite around them into predators. They can have their futures taken with a bite and given massive responsibility when they have no choice but to bear children they didn't ask for. This is the reason i can't get into manga or anime anymore cause those guys know how to make you cry, make you angry beyond belief, and feel everything towards a piece of fiction. And yes there are sensual types of stories in this genre but the dark side still exists even when you have yet to read it.

[Rodimus13]

If it's part of the story and portrayed accurately? Then from an academic standpoint I'm more ok with it than when it's not.It is a world where people can write what they want but when it's a published story, I become worried. See I teach about sexual abuse/rape/human trafficking in my Human Services class to students and the signs they need to look for. Every year I get girls and boys that, because of the way some stories are written, go and say things like "But they're fine after right?" or "Don't some of them ask for it?" or "Isn't it just the other person showing how they feel?" or (mostly when I mention men being treated this way) "Shouldn't they enjoy it, they got lucky". It's in part because of the media they consume making it look this way. And my class is an elective, no student has to take my class and may never learn the truth behind this topic. Even then I get to spend so little time on it...
My concern with these in general is if it is in media that gets aimed to younger audiences they get this twisted view of things. Not that all stories are meant to be, obviously, but some literature that is popular with younger crowds goes into it. I sort of feel if you are using it and you know your audience is younger, then at least including a message about what to do if there is a real situation like that, or a website link or something for more information about the topic as it pertains to the real world.
Again, given what I teach I understand my view might be off center on this topic.

[Rodimus13]

And sorry for the double post but another group I'm in was literally talking about this exact topic and this article came up. I thought it was a great read for writers who are trying to create certain types of drama

Six Rape Tropes and How to Replace Them

[Hinata]

I've read some drama mangas with those kind of scenarios... It happens in real life. I have no problem reading this kind of themes, as long as it's necessary for storytelling and not something inserted by the author for the purpose of fantasizing and romanticizing the act...

[Tanako]

My fiancee was raped several times throughout her life.

so sorry to hear this, must be difficult. but i hope shes doing well and has received the care and help she needs.

[Tanako]

It is used to make 'girls' turn into 'women' but having their 'innocence' stripped.

it's not only women who get raped. men get raped too. and no i disagree with you. its not lazy writing. i understand some artist and writers can use it poorly but to say adding rape to a story is lazy writing, you are dead wrong.
sometimes people want to write what they experience have experienced so for you to come out and say this is wrong.

[vothnthorvaldson]

As most topics, it really depends what's done with it.

The idea that some topics can't be depicted in fiction is compleyely inacceptable to me. They are many, many reasons to depict a difficult topic, and plenty of them are legitimate, some salutary.

In the case of rape, it's unfortunately a common crime, and it entirely makes sense that the topic would show up often in fiction.

However, I do have s strong dislike for stories using rape 'lightly', by that I mean, without any or much consequences. The worst is when the author is clearly portraying a rape but make it pass as totally normal, that's a total dealbreaker for me (to be honest, not only for the story, I'll avoid all the author's works); but I also strongly dislike when the author does indicate it is very deleterious, but then there are not many consequences in the rest of the story, if any. This is more of an issue because it's relatively common, especially when the agression does not go as far as rape. For eg. I often see that 'sexual agression/rescue before rape' trope. With no consequences!??! Obviously I understand the relief on the spot, but I do expect at least some consequences later, but no, in a lot of stories we jump to an other thing and it's forgotten. It always make me feel uneasy.

But when someone want to actually tackle the subject seriously, I don't have a problem with it at all. It should not be considered as a bad subject or as a taboo. That would be detrimental.

[Kura]

Perceived by the audience is... one thing.... when the summery if a comic is saying "Will they live happily every after?" after the event of rape it uhh.... hummmm..... the story is kinda telling you how to perceive it at this point, just one of those funny little bumps in a relationship.

The topic is hardly one that should just casually be thrown into the story for the sake of drama, I don't think that it should be a banned topic when it comes to stories (even though it really does get over used and thrown in when it's not necessary).... just not one that should be advertised as the 'quirky plot twist' of a romance story and then featured in the spotlight of a comic hosting site. cough cough I mean, it's obvious I'm gonna avoid it and not read it myself, but it make it really difficult to promote the website to people, especially if the people that see my promotion happen to be victims of rape know what I mean?

[liann]

i feel like I know what premuim webcomic that is and it made me want to rip my arms of like YOU MEAN I COULD HAVE WRITTEN SOMETHING AS SHITTY AS THIS AND STILL GET PAID? lol

[vothnthorvaldson]

I have no idea what comic you are speaking of, because I don't read premium.

I don't read premium mostly for two reasons: the feeling the immense majority is not for me, and the feeling I'm supporting a person I may not want to support (having to tip early on in the story, little potential communication with author).

That new example is not going to help....

[JRHoch]

People seemed to be more offended about using rape as a plot device than using murder as a plot device.

[vothnthorvaldson]

Probably because the immense majority of people are aware that murder is hurtful? I don't think there is any debate on that, so less uneasy feelings are created.