I write a lot of fic in the dub-con/non-con/rape/violent rape contiuum, and I write with a variety of genres from humor (which drives some readers nuts because rape is never supposed to be funny) to full on sickening horror (which is too much for other readers to stomach). So I've given some thoughts about the subject.
The first thing that occurrs to me is that people tend to treat rape like an on-off switch. You are or you aren't. And if you are, you must be traumatized to the some set degree, and if you aren't you have no right to be upset -- but it seems to me that it just isn't that easy, because there are two dynamics going on: The intentions of the rapist, and the emotional state of the victim before/during and after the act.
For example: You can have a "sweet" guy sweep a girl off her feet, make her feel loved an appreciated, ending with a night of sex that she fully and enthusiastically agrees to, only for her to discover later that the guy only had sex with her on a dare or as a joke so he could brag about it to his pals, or for some other low-life reason. Does she feel violated? Holy heck yes. Was it rape? Er... that's not so clear.
Another example: An 9 year old plays "doctor" with a 13 year old friend who has recently got ahold of a porno mag. The 9 year old doesn't really know what she's consenting to and finds it rather uncomfortable. The 13 year old probably should have known better but wasn't being malicious. They go on to play other games after curiosity is satisfied. Later when they grow up and realize what they've done. The no longer 13 year old feels hideously guilty, the no longer 9 year old shrugs it off as kids screwing around, in this case literally. Dubious con? rape?
Neither of these is the same as someone being dragged onto a beach and gang raped with bottles.
On the fanfic end of things you have as much latitude and more especially if you consider if the motivation for the fic is to titilate, surprise, horrify, sadden or set up for hurt comfort.
I guess this is a long way of saying sometimes the context matters more than the actual acts.
no subject
The first thing that occurrs to me is that people tend to treat rape like an on-off switch. You are or you aren't. And if you are, you must be traumatized to the some set degree, and if you aren't you have no right to be upset -- but it seems to me that it just isn't that easy, because there are two dynamics going on: The intentions of the rapist, and the emotional state of the victim before/during and after the act.
For example: You can have a "sweet" guy sweep a girl off her feet, make her feel loved an appreciated, ending with a night of sex that she fully and enthusiastically agrees to, only for her to discover later that the guy only had sex with her on a dare or as a joke so he could brag about it to his pals, or for some other low-life reason. Does she feel violated? Holy heck yes. Was it rape? Er... that's not so clear.
Another example: An 9 year old plays "doctor" with a 13 year old friend who has recently got ahold of a porno mag. The 9 year old doesn't really know what she's consenting to and finds it rather uncomfortable. The 13 year old probably should have known better but wasn't being malicious. They go on to play other games after curiosity is satisfied. Later when they grow up and realize what they've done. The no longer 13 year old feels hideously guilty, the no longer 9 year old shrugs it off as kids screwing around, in this case literally. Dubious con? rape?
Neither of these is the same as someone being dragged onto a beach and gang raped with bottles.
On the fanfic end of things you have as much latitude and more especially if you consider if the motivation for the fic is to titilate, surprise, horrify, sadden or set up for hurt comfort.
I guess this is a long way of saying sometimes the context matters more than the actual acts.