Rape

Rape is a grave sin and a major legal crime on the part of the assailant, and if legally proven it may be punishable by death. The assaulted woman, however, would not be considered a sinner, since she was overwhelmed and could not be blamed for it. The Quranic rule applies: "If one is forced, without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then he is guiltless, For God is Oft-Forgiving Most-Merciful'. (2:173) In gynaecological practice the medicolegal implications of alleged rape are obvious and clinical and laboratory data should be sought with diligence. To avoid the tragedy of rape being further confounded by a possible pregnancy, a contraceptive hormone dose is usually given and if not too late it will prevent an undesired pregnancy that could not be disposed of once materialised. The incidence of the crime of rape in a society cannot be isolated from the general moral climate. It usually goes with license, drugs and alcohol, the impact of the media, pruritic television and cinema and even seductive women's fashion.