Unacknowledged Rape and the Stigma of Victimhood

Unacknowledged rape is a common phenomenon where roughly half of rape victims do not recognize themselves as victims, often due to societal stigma. This happens especially when the perpetrator is a loved one, as victims may be reluctant to label them as a 'rapist'. The stigma attached to being a rape victim leads many to deny their victimhood in order to avoid the social implications and psychological trauma associated with it. This phenomenon is similar to the reluctance of individuals to acknowledge being victims of abuse, where they may not identify as victims even if they have experienced abusive acts.