Rape is defined as sexual violence or sexual activity committed against women through coercion, influence, or force. It is defined in Sections 375 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code. However, it has been assumed that sexual violence only occurs against women; no one ever mentions sexual violence or sexual harassment against men because of patriarchal society.

Male rape is still frowned upon in Indian culture. In today's generation, male rape is common in our society. Men are afraid to discuss this topic because there are cases or news about men being raped, but it is still taboo due to patriarchal society.

There Are Several Reasons Why No One Ever Discusses Rape Against Men That Including:

1. The patriarchal society in which we live is one of the primary causes. Everyone believes that men should be tough or masculine. They can't be hurt, so it's difficult for them to talk or share if they are harassed.
2. In our Indian society, men are thought to be only interested in sex and cannot be harassed by another man or even a woman.
3. A lack of knowledge, Nobody will ever tell a male child what is good or bad touch.
4. Male rape is still frowned upon in our society. If a male child tells his parents or another adult that another person inappropriately touched him, most of them will dismiss the claim.

Gender Neutrality Relating Male Rape In Another Countries

When it comes to rape, gender neutrality exists in some countries.

Rape, whether female, male, or transgender, is rape in some countries, including:
In the United States, the words "woman" or "girl" are not included in the definition of rape. The basis for changing this definition lies in the statistics provided by governmental institutions such as the US department of justice and the CDC. A study done by the CDC found that 1 in 71 men had been raped or had been the target of attempted rape.

This study included oral and anal penetration in its definition but did not include men in prison or men made to penetrate. Gender-neutral laws have combated the perception that rape rarely occurs to men, and other laws have eliminated the term rape altogether.

In the Philippines Male rape victims were not recognised under Philippine law prior to the 1997 amendment to the Revised Penal Code of 1930. Rape is defined in the law as "an act of sexual assault" committed by any person, either by "inserting his penis into another person's mouth or anal orifice" or by inserting "any instrument or object" into another person's genital or anal orifice. The 1997 amendment legalised male rape committed by both other males and females.

However, the penalties for raping boys differ from those for doing the same act to girls. Rape against boys is classified as "rape by sexual assault," and the penalty ranges from six to twelve years in prison.

In Northern Ireland, also amended rape laws to replace the earlier term "non- sensual intercourse by men" to "non-consensual intercourse by person". Person can be anyone whether it is men or women.

Laws relating male Rape in India

In India, there is only one provision that talks about male rape i.e., section 377 of Indian Penal code. The female offenders can also be included in this section if they have committed crime against men, women or animal. Section 377 says that:

"Unnatural sexual offences- Whoever voluntarily has carnal inter�course against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with impris�onment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section."

In simple language it says that any person who commits rape or sexual violence against any living being, whether a man, woman, or animal, will be sentenced to life imprisonment or ten years in prison, as well as a fine.

Analysis:
There are no specific laws against male rape in India or any other country. The Indian Parliament keeps rejecting or neglecting rape committed against men in our society. As per society, men must be masculine; they can't get hurt or raped because they are "men." This isn't true at all. Men can be harmed or raped by women or other men, but society ignores this fact.

There are certain cases or news stories that are shown nowadays related to male rape, and everyone is still taking it lightly. Male rape cases go unreported for a variety of reasons, but there are numerous news or media reports.

As per the CNN news, A 12 year old boy was found in critical condition after he was alleged to have been gang-raped and beaten horribly in Delhi, and a complaint was lodged by his parents with the Delhi Commission for Women. The assault took place in Seelampur on September 18, and three men raped that boy, as per the statement.

A report was lodged after September 22, the Delhi Women's Commission investigated the matter, and two people were arrested. As per the statement, they were neighbours, and one of the accused was related to the victim. They have not yet been charged.

As per NDTV news,in 2018 a man lured a 14-year-old boy into the room, shut the door, and raped him. The boy got embarrassed and told his mother the truth. He died soon after, having been poisoned by the rat poison consumed after the assault. As per the medical report, he was sodomised. Later on the case was closed, nobody talked about it, and the boy's father killed himself after a few months.

Some researchers says that parents often are shy or, because of societal pressure, don't report abuse or sexual harassment if the victim is a boy. They think that he will overcome this psychological trauma.

Perspective
As per me men are raped as well and the majority of them suffer in silence as a result of patriarchal society. According to the gender construct, they are supposed to be masculine in nature. Men or boys who have been raped or sexually assaulted face the same mental effects as other survivors.

There are certain pages where people are willing to listen to the stories of survivors, but this isn't enough; it won't change the fact that males have feelings, they can feel pain, and they can get assaulted by men or women too. There must be specific laws against male rape, too.

Not only that, the punishment for raping a girl child has increased from 10 to 20 years, but the boy child is only 10 years old. This is clearly gender discrimination. The cultural stereotype says all men want sex with women or men, so anyone raping him is doing what he wants; hence, people are like, "Why are you complaining?" or "Just enjoy it and shut up." This is so unfair to any man or boy, and if a male child has been sexually assaulted, how would he know if it was a good touch or a bad touch?

We live in a world where people expect men to be masculine; he can't cry either, and women are weaker than men. Men would be considered weak if something happened to them, but they are not. It is a serious matter. People believe men are depraved creatures who want sex, but this is absolutely wrong.

Men have the right to say no, their consent is necessary too and women or men need to take consent of men too. Not every men play sympathy card, they get hurt too. We can't blame anyone, it is us or the society that made these kinds of rules. Society creates the gender construct. We all need to change these constructs.

Conclusion
It is concluded that male rape is increasing in India, and most of these cases goes unreported. There is a legislative vacuum. Punishment for male rape should be as harsh as it is for the male culprit of rape regardless of a specific class or gender. The male survivor feels the same mental, physical, and emotional pain as the female survivor. The Indian legislature is ignoring this crime and it needs to adopt gender-neutral laws like the rest of the developed world.

Indian legislation needs to understand that even women or trans people are capable of male rape, and society needs to change the gender construct made by them. This is a serious matter, and the government should take this issue seriously. Separate laws need to be made to bring about changes in stereotypical and patriarchal societies. Male victims need to be heard.

Award Winning Article Is Written By: Ms.Syedah Naureen Fatima

Authentication No: MR307742467422-01-0323