Is it normal that being raped was ok for me?

My job is incredibly stressful, involves responsibility for people's lives. I can't treat myself to any other way of blowing off steam except for sex and some hobbies. Drinking, drugs(even medical, like anti-anxiety) could affect reaction and the clarity of thinking.

On my vacation I attended a party, had a few beers, not a lot. Also got to flirt with a guy I knew and liked, who later raped me. I wasn't welcoming it and tried to stop him for a while until it was too late.

I know it wasn't my fault. I'm a tough cookie, so no need for therapy and no shame for me in talking to people about it. However, what I can't mention is a little detail. It's not exactly that I "enjoyed" it, because it still is devastating and humiliating, but it did feel good physically. I wasn't sure what the medical report would say, so didn't report it to police.

Actually I'm far more concerned about what is wrong with me. Was it alcohol after the long break? My habit of having sex with strangers? Or because he or it wasn't as violent as I thought it usually is? Did I simply lose my mind because of my job, and just letting go of my control freak routine for a moment had that effect?

Maybe it's because it didn't go the worst way it could.

Voting Results
56% Normal
Based on 16 votes (9 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 17 )
  • Boojum

    There's nothing wrong with you. There was obviously all sorts of conscious-level stuff going on in your brain when it happened, almost certainly also a lot of sub-conscious activity too, and very possibly there were conflicts between the two. You being slightly inebriated at the time probably played some role too. But on the most basic level, you experienced the physical response of your body being stimulated in a particular way.

    It's a trivial parallel, but if someone were to hold you down, force your mouth open and cram chocolate cake in it, the cake would still taste sweet, even if you really, really did not want to eat it.

    In her book on female sexuality titled "Come As You Are", Emily Nagoski states that it's not uncommon for a woman to have an orgasm when they're raped, and how this really does a number on their heads because they suspect it indicates that they wanted what happened. The feelings of shame and guilt about finding the rape physically pleasurable - even to the point of orgasm - means that this is not something most women would willingly admit, so nobody really knows how often it happens.

    She also mentions that it's not uncommon for a woman to be shocked at how her vagina was obviously lubricated before the forced penetration occurred, and how this too leads them to conclude that they must have wanted it. But, again, that's just a physiological response of the woman's body: her lizard-brain recognised that she was in a sexual situation, that vaginal penetration might occur in the near future and it prepared for that. (And it's easy to see how this reflex response might exist because there's a clear evolutionary advantage if women are not physically damaged by forceful penile insertion.)

    The only points that matter are that you didn't want to have sex but you were forced to have sex; therefore you were raped. The fact that you experienced physical pleasure is irrelevant; you didn't want to have it in the first place. The fact that it wasn't the stereotypical violent encounter in a back alley is irrelevant; the vast majority of rapes aren't like that in any case. The fact that you seem to have been able to deal with the experience in a relatively positive way and moved on with your life is irrelevant; it wasn't an experience you had on your bucket list.

    Female sexuality is complicated, and I believe every woman would learn at least a few things about themselves if they were to read the book by Emily Nagoski. Everything she says is supported by solid research findings, and much of it is in direct conflict with popular beliefs.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Greenbrae

      Thank you for your support and information. Oddly enough, I don't really feel relieved knowing that, although I expected myself to be. The nature plays some tricks on us. Sadly, sometimes (often) it feels almost a curse to be a woman. Anyways, thanks again :)

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Sanara

    I wonder what I would actually feel in that scenario, and I'm not sure if I actually would be traumatized by it (even if not liking it), although I probably would for the simple fact almost all rape victims are. If it feels good physically maybe I would like it even if I didn't want it before it started, but I have no idea. Regarding getting raped I'm actually much more worried about the aftermath (like possible pregnancy and STDs) than the happening itself, unless the actual happening is physically painful

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • OSCARUK

    I have no personal experience of this, other than knowing people that have been sexually assaulted in the past.
    The way i see it, it matters not that you found the manner of the rape to be less violent or as rough as you perhaps would imagine it could be, your body may have responded either through instinct or through acceptance of previous encounters being rough or forceful.

    Yes, the alcohol may have made you vulnerable but the fact remains that you didn't want it to happen and that is rape and the person deserves to face some form of justice for that, by accepting or ignoring the fact that it happened to you, you enable the person to do the same to others. Of course I understand that facing a barrage of questions and medical examination may be extremely difficult for someone to endure and successful prosecution is not a guarantee but each time someone is reported or arrested for an assault, sexual, or otherwise, it stays on record and at some point that straw will lay heavy on the camels back and will enhance the probability of justice being done in future,

    if they violated you, they are capable of violating others and that should never be tolerated or accepted.
    Thank you for posting your experience, but Please make a promise to yourself that you will neither accept an assault or rape as being acceptable or explainable.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Hookerfall

    This is a joke and quit destroying the true meaning of rape by playing it down u son of a bitch

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Billy247newaccount_35467829

      I agree, hookerfall.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • Hookerfall

        Amen

        Comment Hidden ( show )
          -
        • Billy247newaccount_35467829

          She's weird af. It also enables rapists in way, in my opinion. This is all sorts of wrong.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
  • ChrissySnow

    Normal. I guess I'm 'lucky' because each time I've been raped I didn't get hurt and partly liked it. Most times I hated it when it happened but grew to look back at the times fondly. I know it messed up my head because I wish non-violent rape was legal, more common and socially acceptable behavior. I wish there were certain bars or alleys where, it is known that if you go there IT will happen and not be illegal or punishable. When I get cravings for it to happen again I tease my husband but won't let him touch me until he gets the hint and TAKES me.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Greenbrae

      I imagine you meant to be sarcastic and insulting, but it takes a lot more than that to get under my skin. Your comment is simply a reminder of what kind of people are out there to get me. Like that guy.

      If by any chance you are serious, you need to get help and care. This sounds like an extreme form of Stockholm syndrome. Never let anyone hurt you even if you think you like it. That's unhealthy and potentially threatens your safety.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • Boojum

        FWIW - and it's entirely possible I'm missing something - I don't read ChrissySnow's response as sarcastic or insulting.

        My general rule on this site is to take posts at face value, and I read hers as simply stating her experience and her perspective; I believe that should be respected. I also find it understandable that you feel she's suffering from some sort of psychological pathology. Indeed, she states that she believes her experiences have "messed up [her] head", so it sounds like she wouldn't completely disagree with you.

        Whatever happened to her, it's clear that she has sufficient insight to understand that it has had a lasting impact on her. I respect that, since she obviously has a much better idea of what goes on in her head than I do, but I doubt if those experiences were the only factors that formed her current kink.

        Surveys have consistently found that many women fantasise about being forced to have sex. You may believe they shouldn't have those thoughts because it's contrary to how you think women should be. But the fact is that women do have those thoughts and fantasies, and suggesting that a woman is weird or abnormal because she has them is factually wrong as well as insensitive.

        I'm not a psychologist, but I've suspected for some time that a good part of what's going on here is down to the fact that, in our culture, female sexual desire is seen as a negative thing. It is changing, but the old dichotomy of a promiscuous man being considered a stud, while an equally promiscuous woman would be considered a slut (or worse) still exists. If a woman is coerced into having sex in her fantasies or games with a partner, that removes the need for her to apply those negative labels to herself.

        Coerced sex fantasies or games also allow the woman to believe that she's sexually irresistible and can drive men crazy with lust. Maybe you think that's wrong since no woman should define herself by how sexually attractive she is to men. You'd get no argument from me on this point. But on the other hand, I can't imagine that many guys would find the idea of women literally throwing themselves at them completely lacking erotic charge.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
          -
        • Greenbrae

          I saw it as sarcastic. So before answering I read some other comments by this woman (if it's a woman at all). Either I'm naturally suspicious, or not that open-minded, but this user seems to have a strange opinion about everything.

          Even if that is how she really feels, when she said she wishes rape was legal and socially accepted behavior with alleys and bars, where violence would certainly happen, I lost it. I find it hard to comprehend. First of all, because her suggestion brings women and their rights back to 14th century. Secondly... well, what are the odds that some woman would actually want to endanger herself with a mass flow of rapists.

          Because we all know how it works in the end: legalize even a non-violent thing, and it will unleash a legion of bastards happy to try and do worse. Also hoping to get away with it. It is happening nowadays in obscene numbers despite the legal constraints and the whole tendency to show women more respect. Men just say in court: "It might have been rough, but consensual. She wanted it." And if a woman had a few drinks or something prior, she is sure to lose.

          It would take a while, 50 years more at least of the strict policy to put the fear of God in men and explain that women are humans, not toys.

          Regardless of where it's a joker or someone troubled, therapy would do a world of good for that person. And that is not an insult, that is an advice.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
            -
          • ChrissySnow

            I'm sorry if you don't like how I feel on this but I know I'm not alone. A lot of us miss when men used to be MEN

            Comment Hidden ( show )
          • Billy247newaccount_35467829

            I agree with you. I know there are women who have this stupid fantasy, but to want it legalized is just..😬

            Comment Hidden ( show )