NEW DELHI: The Astha Kunj gangrape case has again raised a difficult question: what makes some men cross the line to choose sexual assault? Psychiatrists and psychologists say the answer is not simple, and single explanation can explain all cases.Behind sexual assaults lies a complex mix of narcissistic entitlement, deviant thinking, impulsive behaviour, poor control over anger, a belief that they can escape the law and, in some cases, mental illness.None of this can or should absolve any attacker, the psychiatrists pointed out.Dr Rajiv Mehta, a psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said sexual assaulters have personality deviations and believe they can escape the law. “They can be impulsive, impatient and have a low tolerance level. They may not think through the consequences before acting. They may have a false notion that they are above the law. They can be furious and quick to act. At times, they may also be under the influence of drugs,” he said.Mehta added that some assaulters may suffer from mental illnesses, such some kind of mania or even schizophrenia. “Mania can lead to increased libido, risk-taking behaviour and other symptoms. In this particular case, the accused was disturbing others and allegedly carrying a firearm illegally,” he said.He added that society needs to be educated about mental illness and the stigma surrounding it needs to be addressed. “Behaviours have biological moorings and can be treated through medicines and counselling,” he said.Dr Rajat Mitra, a professor of forensic psychology who has worked with survivors of sexual assault for over two decades, said research had shown that sexual assaulters do not necessarily suffer from mental illness. “However, they may have deviant thinking and ideation, and relationships are complex for them. In a normal relationship, intimacy develops gradually, after affection. But this does not happen for assaulters and they perceive the use of force against a woman as natural. Sexual assault also cannot be put into one category as each case varies,” he said.Mitra added that about one-third of sexual assaults involve violent attacks as some assaulters find violence to be sexually arousing. “Several assaulters have said they could not continue with the act because they could not avoid the face or the look of the victim. To erase the sense of innocence in the victim and keep themselves going, they indulge in violent acts,” he said.Mitra said the word “rape” is derived from the Latin word raptus, meaning to seize another man’s property. Given the term’s historical and derogatory connotations, he said such incidents should be referred to as sexual assault.Dr Nimesh G Desai, a senior psychiatrist and former director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), said: “Rapid urbanisation, rural-to-urban migration, sexual frustration, lack of fear of the law, and the influence of social media, added to innate urges, are factors that may drive a few men towards crime. However, none of these reasons is justified.”He added that the basic instinct of sexual urge has to be channelled in more ethically appropriate ways. “All men should be taught about this. All potential victims should be taught all forms of protection. A swift and equitable criminal justice system plays a very crucial role in prevention,” he said.Pulkit Sharma, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalytic therapist, said narcissistic entitlement can drive some men towards sexual assault. “In Indian society, some men hold patriarchal beliefs that they are superior to others. In recent times, certain movies and social media reels have contributed to a return of the ‘primitive man’. A few years ago, such characters were portrayed as villains, but they are now celebrated in films and on social media.”He added that “some Indian men are unable to accept an independent woman socialising with her male friends. They may believe that they are entitled to have the same woman as well.”Sharma added that for some assaulters, the law does not act as a not a deterrent because they believe that their connections or money can help them get away.
