Woman acquitted for penectomizing neighbor

[radar (imported)]

Just out of curiosity, what is it that makes rape a more heinous crime than any other type of physical assault? For instance, why is a woman being raped any more repugnant than, say, a man being beaten and having a broomstick shoved up his ass? I see the latter as much more severe, especially if the assault on the female was of the date rape variety. Yet as a practical matter, the punishment for the woman's rape will typically be at least twice as long as that for the assault on the male, even if his injuries are relatively severe and hers purely psychological.

Historically, punishment for rape had as much to do with protecting the woman's mate against cuckoldry as it did with the actual assault, and I suppose greater punishment was deemed warranted in view of the fact that there were, in essence, two injured parties. But under modern day law, a woman's body is her own and no one else's, so she is the only legal victim. So why do we still view rape as a greater crime?

[chilliwilli (imported)]

Rape is truely a horrible crime. You mentioned a man being raped with a broom stick. I think this would likely also be dealt with harshly, maybe even a hate crime.

chilli-