Sex Crime Report: Philosophical Analysis of Sex Crimes in UK Society

This report provides a comprehensive philosophical analysis of sex crimes, with a specific focus on sexual assault and its impact on women and society. The report begins by defining sex crimes, including child molestation, rape, and sexual battery, and then delves into the philosophical foundations of ontology, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics to understand the nature of these crimes. The report discusses the prevalence of sexual assault, particularly in the UK, and explores the role of consent, media influence, and societal factors in perpetuating such crimes. It examines the legal frameworks and legislations in place to address sexual offenses, including the Sexual Offenses Act, and the efforts of organizations like the Rape Crisis Federation in advocating for women's rights and ensuring that criminals are punished. Furthermore, the report highlights the ethical dimensions of sex crimes, viewing them as a political issue that reinforces male dominance. It also delves into the role of epistemology by analyzing various sources, including official crime statistics and real-world examples, such as the Harvey Weinstein case, to demonstrate the impact of sex crimes. Overall, the report offers a multifaceted perspective on sex crimes, integrating philosophical, legal, and societal considerations to foster a deeper understanding of the issue and its implications.

Sex crime

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Ontology......................................................................................................................................1
Epistemology..............................................................................................................................3
Ethics...........................................................................................................................................4
Aesthetics....................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Sex crimes refers to criminal offense of sexual nature. That includes; child molestation,
rape, possession, sexual battery, distribution of child pornography, etc. that is big issue in all
around the world and mainly women suffers the most. The present report is based on the topic
Sex crime where the major topic will be consider as the sexual assault and sex crimes with
women. It will be analyse on the basis of four philosophies such as; ontology, epistemology,
ethics and aesthetics. The study will resolve around the concept of crime related to sex in respect
of society and it will help in explaining source of crime and how different theories are used to
explain sex crime.
MAIN BODY
Criminology can be defined as the study of crime and behaviour of criminals. It includes
its causes, core themes, responses by law enforcements and method of prevention. The core
criminological theme that is selected in this essay is Sex crime, that is a big crime and make
crucial impact on society (de Vel-Palumbo and et. al., 2018). When someone hears about or only
the word, the typical response is fear. To better understand the criminological theme, here
philosophical foundations are applied that give in depth knowledge about the crime with further
examples as well as laws that can be enforce the person. The reason behind choosing this topic
because sex crime towards women is one of the most offensive crimes committed in our society.
Ontology
Ontology is the philosophical branch of study that is concerned with the reality and
nature of being. It generally deals wit the questions that is related to the entities and subdivided
according to the differences and similarities. It focuses on the study what is out there to know
about the sex crime (Elsayed and et. al., 2018). Sex crimes and sexual violence or sexual assaults
has historically been a taboo topic that is marked by denial and silence.
Sex crime define as a sex act tat is considered deviant in nature. It can be consider as a
category of offences that generally arises when violence occurs during a sexual act. Many sex
crimes arises from circumstances when a sexual act is committed in a manner that is offensive to
the ordinary individual and are the most obvious of these is sexual assault that occurs when an
unwanted sexual act is performed on a victim without his or her consent and often with the use of
force (Gopalan and Arvind, 2018). It can be define as the engagement of unwanted sexual acts
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by threat, force and most importantly without consent. Consent is the permission or voluntary
agreement between two persons who engage in an activity of sexual activity. Sexual assault
include; treats or other violent behaviour and can occur with any form of sexual contact. It
generally includes; groping, kissing, sexual touching or penetration. Of the victim that is
generally women are threatened and forced into committing an act of sexual intercourse this can
be consider as the crime of rape (Halwani, 2018).
The current figures and analysis showed that 20% annual increase in recorded rapes and
17% rise in sexual offences reported to police in England. Sexual assault does not discriminate;
victims can be found on any economic level or in any culture. They can be young or old, children
or adults, mentally disabled or fully functioning (Jonsson, 2018). Sex offence is probably the
most damaging crime category of all and have major effect on society on the victim as well as on
the criminal. The effects are likely to be psychological devastating for years or may be
sometimes a lifetime. It made direct impact upon the victims and their families combines with
indirect criminal justice and social system costs to affect the community. Sex offence can be
categorise as follows;
As per the views of philosopher Plato, Rape is the unlawful sexual activity usually a
sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the consent or will. A lack
of consent can involve the victim being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is the most
heinous crime next only to murder and it is more monstrous apart from causing physical wounds.
It leaves the women with severe irrevocable emotional stabs (Sex offender, 2018).
According to philosopher Russell, Sexual assaults originally refers to crime that fell short
of rape but nonetheless it involves non-consensual sexual contact. Mostly in the sex crimes
women suffer the most.
Some researches and survey data has stated that the system was identifying only a
fraction of the sex crimes being committed and most of the victims were suffering silent. There
are many reasons people don't report assaults to any formal agency or take support of law. The
major reason is that most of the victims think and afraid of they will be blamed for their own
assault, because of shame and embarrassment, they may be more concerned with preserving their
privacy rather than seeing out legal intervention (McGorrery, 2018).
Philosopher Frege states that There are many factors at the individual level that
contribute to likelihood of a person committing sexually violent acts; alcohol is considerably
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linked with aggression and affect men's perception of women's sexual intent, psychopathology
and personality traits, anger and power, relationship context, societal influences, sexual
expectations and rape myths, media, etc. are responsible for forcing or changing any person's
mind to do such crime (McGorrery, 2018).
Media plays an important role in the case of sex crime. They are responsible to take
interview of the victims and media reporting can function to raise awareness of sexual violence
and draw attention to the problem of sex crime. Media coverage of crimes, including sexual
assault has an impact on the beliefs, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes of the public regarding
these phenomena (Murray and Terpstra, 2019). Along with it media also responsible for arising
the chances of these kinds of crimes. From the early days of the modern women's movement,
feminists contended that pornography encouraged sexual aggression towards women by
portraying them as nothing more than sex objective. It is depiction of violence against women as
well as movies and television often send the message that encourage violence.
Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of knowledge acquisition that involves an awareness of certain
aspect of reality. It encompasses the construction of concepts, nature of conditions and the
validity of the senses (Römer, 2018). It is an important philosophy and without understanding it,
human being would have no reason to believe in their thoughts and actions.
The above analysed reality under ontology is analysed by various sources and
furthermore, the official analysis of violent crime figures it had stated that one in five women in
England have experienced some type of sexual assault since the age of 16. Like this there are
many facts and analytical can prove the increase in sexual harassment and sexual assaults in UK
(Wilson and et. al., 2018). According to national crime victimisation survey conducted by UK
department of Justice, about 6,00,000 rapes or sexual assaults occur each year. A study has
revealed that female sex offenders are more common than first thought.
The crime can be understand by a real example of the sexual assault.
Harvey Weinstein in an American former film producer. His brother and he both
produces various successful independent film that include lie, sex and videotape. He won an
award for producing Shakespeare in love in 1998.
In October 2017, The New Yorker and The New York Times reported that dozens of
women accused Harvey Weinstein of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assaults all are these comes
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under sex crime. A Dozen of women accused and alligation this producer of sexual assault and
rape because of these allegations he got dismissed from his company (de Vel-Palumbo and et.
al., 2018). He misused of more than 80 women in the film industry. Six women complaints
against him and on the basis of that complaints he has to gone through criminal investigations.
Harvey Weinstein was arrested in new york on May 25, 2018. There are many women who said
that they had been sexually assaulted and harassed by Harvey Weinstein such as: Amber
Anderson, actress, Jessica Barth actress. In response he said that I appreciate the way I behaved
with my co-workers and colleagues but it has caused a lot of pain (McGorrery, 2018). He
apologised for that. He was famous and known for supporter of progressive causes but in 2017,
according to several reports his reputation was damaged as he alleged sexual harassment of
women (Gopalan and Arvind, 2018).
From this case, it can is proved that he do crime with more than 80 women in the industry
but out of them only 6 women are able to talk about it and that is because of society and
community, shame and discomfort, fear of retaliation from the rapist, embarrassment, fear that
police and prosecutors would question their credibility, etc. and as discussed, media and
reporting plays in this case an essential role (Murray and Terpstra, 2019). Many of the reporters
and channels report this scandal and speak about it to remove the mask and that brings awareness
and let people know the truth. Many laws have been enacted to increase management and
supervision of sex offenders in the community towards women. The criminal code of UK
recognised sexual assault and gave it a clear definition for all to obey and follow in 1983. Under
this criminal code sexual assault was seen more as a sexually motivated crime rather than a
physical assault (Römer, 2018).
From the survey and media reporting, world aware about the reality that has been faced
by women from the beginning that can be because of unappropriated laws against this kind of
crimes or not proper implementation of the laws can also be a reason.
Ethics
As per the philosopher Camus, The field of ethics or moral philosophy investigate
theories or study that can systematically describe what make acts right or wrong.
Sex crimes such as rape must be viewed as a political issue as it keeps women powerless
and reinforces a male dominant society. There has been significant progress made in the legal
recognition sexual assault (Wilsonz and et. al., 2018). It is essential for the women that are
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suffered from such crimes and the government of UK is also responsible for controlling the sex
crimes. There are many kinds of laws and legislations that are made for women protection and
they should take right action.
The rape crisis federation was founded in 1996 as a national co-ordinating body for the
rape crisis association in England and Wales. It is a powerful and vociferous campaigner for
female survivors of sexual violence that fight for women rights and also responsible and ensure
that criminal got punishment (de Vel-Palumbo and et. al., 2018).
Sexual offence Act is an act to make provisions about sexual offences their prevention and
the protection of children from harm from other sexual acts and for connected purposes. The acts
are divided in various parts that are responsible for securing women rights under any offence
related to sexual activities, such as;
The sexual offence act 1956, the sexual offence act 1960, the sexual offence
(Amendment) act 1976, the sexual offence act 1985, the sexual offence (Amendment) act 1992,
the sexual offence act 2003.
The sexual offence act 2003 replaced older sexual offences laws with more specific and
explicit wordings. The act defines and sets the guidelines for rape in English law. It is also the
main legislation that deals with women sexual abuse (Wilsonz and et. al., 2018). The laws and
legislations are essential and plays vital role in controlling the crimes in community.
Most offences involving criminal sexual conduct fall within the jurisdiction of state law.
The offences are found in title 18 of the UK code. Some federal offences apply to sexual
offences committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the UK or in a federal prison (Gopalan
and Arvind, 2018). The proved criminal by court can be punished from 6 to 15 years in the case
of rape or may be hanging till death and in the case of harassing person can be punished for 2 to
6 years that depends on state law.
If women and girls are not protected and empowered, they will struggle to improve their
lives. Women should report to the local police if she is comfortable and apart from that there are
many more services that can help if they don't want to report the assault to police. Police and
prosecutors have put great effort into encouraging victims to come forward and motivate the
belief that they can trust the state justice system. They are the major part in helping the women
for their rights and protection (Murray and Terpstra, 2019). Women out there can take support of
laws or police to accuse anyone who misbehave sexually without her consent and will.
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Furthermore, there are many movements are running by media such as Me Too movement
against sexual harassment and sexual assault. The movement gone viral on all the social media
platform in October 2017 as a hashtag in an attempt to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of
sexual assault and harassment. It followed sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein,
the case already discussed in above philosophy (Römer, 2018). The channel that are generally
used in spreading the movement are; Twitter, Instagram and more like this social media
platform. Similarly, Times Up movements is also spread very rapidly in the support of women
and both the movements give a platform to the women and men to put their experience and the
crime has happened to them.
The crime can be controlled by the government of UK and their laws and legislation for
women safety, women themselves, education, The British Police etc. Victim suffered from rape
should follow proper guidelines that help in inspecting the criminal by using the evidence
(Wilsonz and et. al., 2018).
Aesthetics
This philosophy is the study of beauty and taste and closely related to beauty of art that is
concerned with emotional values, sentiments and judgements and what one can hope for the best
in future (Jonsson, 2018). This philosophy is mainly focuses on the practise that is regarding
prevent from the sexual offence and to come out the critical mental condition that limit the
women as well as the person that already a criminal or thought about the crime once in their life
can do various practising cognitive or behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, etc. With more laws
and legislations are implemented in women safety and security. But there is need of reformation
in the laws and implementation of the existing law (Elsayed and et. al., 2018). It will ensure that
these laws protect women in the society and prevent offences against them. The people in the
society do not treat victims as criminals because the women that are suffered from the sex crimes
are in the position of or had been in the position of mental trauma. People do not make
judgement about what one should wear or behave, they do not. I hope that more suffered women
come out and speak their pain through the movements. The victims are blamed and judged by
those that do not understand what they have experienced. The world and mainly men should not
take women as only the sex toy (Murray and Terpstra, 2019).
Criminal not born itself there are many circumstances that force people to do crime.
There are many circumstances that made the person criminal. Sex crime can be caused due to
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many reasons which may include sadism, anger, sexual pleasure, attitude of sex offenders
towards victim, psychopathy or evolutionary pressure (Römer, 2018). The offenders may attempt
to sex crime in order to humiliate the victim or hurt them, the offenders expresses his anger on
victim. For anger rapist the sex is a weapon for defiling the victim and ultimate anger expression.
The sadism factor can also make person to attempt sex crime as the sexual excitement and
feelings are associated with inflicting pain on the victims. The person who intake drug or alcohol
may also attempt to sex crimes as he may be incapacitated or uncontrolled of his behaviour and
actions.
Harvey Weinstein was also stated after many allegations that he sincerely apologise for it.
He also stated that he was due to take sabbatical and was working with therapists to deal with the
issues head on. That end with the positive note but that incident changes mind of people that are
works with him and they are no longer working with Weinstein (Gopalan and Arvind, 2018). Of
course the mental trauma and physical damage would not recover by these apologies.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it had been concluded that sex crime include very serious
consequences and they are prosecuted as criminal offense. It also as been evaluated that sex
crime include a number of various crimes with very specific definition. The major concern of the
report is on sex crimes towards women and the crime generally categorise in forcible and non
forcible criminology. Women in every area suffers most whether it is industry, workplace,
companies even in police departments. The study was based on some philosophical studies that
explained the crime in detail with related laws and legislations.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
de Vel-Palumbo, M. and et. al., 2018. ‘Once a sex offender always a sex offender’? Essentialism
and attitudes towards criminal justice policy. Psychology, Crime & Law. pp.1-19.
Elsayed, E. K. and et. al., 2018. Semantic Crime Investigation System. Journal of Computers.
13(10). pp.1216-1227.
Gopalan, R. T. and Arvind, A., 2018. An Update on Theories and Treatment of Sex Offenders. In
Social, Psychological, and Forensic Perspectives on Sexual Abuse. (pp. 284-298). IGI
Global.
Halwani, R., 2018. Philosophy of love, sex, and marriage: an introduction. Routledge.
Herron, E. S. and et. al., 2018. Reconciling Approaches in the Study of Mixed-Member Electoral
Systems. In The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems.
Jonsson, S., 2018. Sex, crime and politics. How organized crime influences and adapts to
political institutions, with a particular focus on sex trafficking.
McGorrery, P., 2018. The Philosophy of Criminalisation: A Review of Duff et al.’s
Criminalisation Series.
Murray, J. and Terpstra, N. eds., 2019. Sex, Gender and Sexuality in Renaissance Italy.
Routledge.
Römer, I., 2018. Levinas and Early Modern Philosophy. In The Oxford Handbook of Levinas.
Wilson, C. and et. al., 2018. Ethics briefings.
Online
Sex offender. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1068316X.2018.1529234>.
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