Rape scene in a story

[Dreamerman77]

Didn't find an answer to this specific question, so here it is. I'm working on another historical piece where a captured thrall is being sexually abused by her owner; he rapes her.

I'm not writing it as a sex scene, the description is clinical and brutal. She's not enjoying it, but she's defiant. Winning "the battle" by not doing anything and laughs at him in the end.

The question; is it enough to satisfy Lit rules? Or am I forced to put in the "enjoyment"?

The scene is central to the plot, since she gets her revenge later. By the way... It doesn't sound like it, but it grows to be a love story in the end.

 

[Bamagan]

Didn't find an answer to this specific question, so here it is. I'm working on another historical piece where a captured thrall is being sexually abused by her owner; he rapes her.

I'm not writing it as a sex scene, the description is clinical and brutal. She's not enjoying it, but she's defiant. Winning "the battle" by not doing anything and laughs at him in the end.

The question; is it enough to satisfy Lit rules? Or am I forced to put in the "enjoyment"?

The scene is central to the plot, since she gets her revenge later. By the way... It doesn't sound like it, but it grows to be a love story in the end.

I doubt anyone can give you a definitive answer other than, "Try it and find out." If it reads as unambiguously an act of violence it might get allowed, but writing a scene of pure sexual violence in a way that won't be titillating even to rapists could be challenging (although that may not be the actual standard the site tries to hold stories against).

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Context counts more than content.

I have rather brutal rape scene in one of my stories (sorry, you'll have to find it yourselves) that has been reported a couple of times, but Laurel keeps restoring it because she (unlike some readers) views it in the overall context of the story.

To a large degree, it will depend on whether the scene in question is written to arouse, entice, or titillate the reader. I would suggest that you minimize the details of the scene and be certain to submit it with enough of the story to allow Laurel to judge it as you intended.

 

[Dreamerman77]

Context counts more than content.

I have rather brutal rape scene in one of my stories (sorry, you'll have to find it yourselves) that has been reported a couple of times, but Laurel keeps restoring it because she (unlike some readers) views it in the overall context of the story.

To a large degree, it will depend on whether the scene in question is written to arouse, entice, or titillate the reader. I would suggest that you minimize the details of the scene and be certain to submit it with enough of the story to allow Laurel to judge it as you intended.

Thank you. You gave a good advice. I'll proceed with it and write the scene as planned, hoping that Laurel sees the bigger picture of building the character through this scene. I understand the fine line behind the rule, and don't want to brake it. Let's see what happens.

 

[lovecraft68]

My advice is that this 'rule' on NC is such a poorly and inconsistently enforced farce that I would submit it and just see what happens.

 

[Dreamerman77]

My advice is that this 'rule' on NC is such a poorly and inconsistently enforced farce that I would submit it and just see what happens.

I noticed the same thing while reading it.

 

[lovecraft68]

I noticed the same thing while reading it.

To say you don't allow rape stories but have a category called Non consent is the definition of talking out of both sides of your mouth. You really don't want that material you don't have a category named for it.

I've seen rejections that didn't seem to go that far and there are stories here that are so brutal they don't belong on an erotica site at all because it's beyond a simple rape fantasy, but actual torture and abuse for titillation.

So, again, just post and see where it goes.

 

[iwatchus]

Context counts more than content.

I have rather brutal rape scene in one of my stories (sorry, you'll have to find it yourselves) that has been reported a couple of times, but Laurel keeps restoring it because she (unlike some readers) views it in the overall context of the story.

To a large degree, it will depend on whether the scene in question is written to arouse, entice, or titillate the reader. I would suggest that you minimize the details of the scene and be certain to submit it with enough of the story to allow Laurel to judge it as you intended.

I will second this opinion. I included a sexual assault scene in a story. I spent longer on getting that scene right than I think any other I have written. Laurel didn't say boo about it, but it is not titillating at all (I don't think so at least). It is significantly toned down from one of the versions. In the final version, the incident was disrupted before any penetrative sex happened. It also got the comment that probably upset me the most, something to the extent that "it wasn't that bad, she shouldn't have been so upset about it." I suspect that reader had wanted the scene to go on undisturbed. It made me really glad I didn't do that.

 

[Dreamerman77]

I will second this opinion. I included a sexual assault scene in a story. I spent longer on getting that scene right than I think any other I have written. Laurel didn't say boo about it, but it is not titillating at all (I don't think so at least). It is significantly toned down from one of the versions. In the final version, the incident was disrupted before any penetrative sex happened. It also got the comment that probably upset me the most, something to the extent that "it wasn't that bad, she shouldn't have been so upset about it." I suspect that reader had wanted the scene to go on undisturbed. It made me really glad I didn't do that.

My original plan was to write a story to non-consent category, but I scrubbed the plan since I don't have it in me to write only about that kind of abuse. Still without the scene the main character won't be the one I need her to be for the rest of the story.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Having been in that sort of position a couple of times and given the somewhat odd nature of your story, I would suggest you DM Laurel, the owner and ultimate judge. In my experience, she can be very helpful.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Didn't find an answer to this specific question, so here it is. I'm working on another historical piece where a captured thrall is being sexually abused by her owner; he rapes her.

I'm not writing it as a sex scene, the description is clinical and brutal. She's not enjoying it, but she's defiant. Winning "the battle" by not doing anything and laughs at him in the end.

The question; is it enough to satisfy Lit rules? Or am I forced to put in the "enjoyment"?

The scene is central to the plot, since she gets her revenge later. By the way... It doesn't sound like it, but it grows to be a love story in the end.

The bizarre - and no doubt unintended - result of the ‘she (and it is always she) must enjoy being sexually assaulted eventuallly’ rule is that - unless you write the rape in such a way that no one could get aroused reading it - you may have a problem.

I have rape and sexual assaults in my work, but they are portrayed as acts of pure evil and the perpetrators end up having very bad things happen to them. No woman in my stories enjoys rape, just like IRL.

If it is a truly traumatic and terrible event that is told in a non titillating way, you might be OK. The fact that you couch this as a love story suggests that you have a different view of the impact of rape on women.

You are really just going to be at the mercy of Laurel’s interpretation, based on a skim read.

 

[Dreamerman77]

Having been in that sort of position a couple of times and given the somewhat odd nature of your story, I would suggest you DM Laurel, the owner and ultimate judge. In my experience, she can be very helpful.

Might try that, but previous times I've contacted her, I haven't received an answer.

 

[NotWise]

My one adventure in NC/R included three rape scenes. I didn't eroticize the rapes (possibly disappointing for NC/R readers) and it went through without a hitch. If the story were rejected, then I could point out that, while the woman didn't enjoy the experience, she did eventually get something out of it.

 

[Dreamerman77]

If it is a truly traumatic and terrible event that is told in a not titillating way, you might be OK. The fact that you couch this as a love story suggests that you have a different view of the impact of rape on women.

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly, but make no mistake: my view of rape and its impact on women is very clear.

The story spans over a year of her life, and the romance part certainly won't be with her rapist. I think I mentioned that she'll get her revenge as the story goes on.

 

[EmilyMiller]

The story spans over a year of her life, and the romance part certainly won't be with her rapist.

Got you. You can maybe understand why I thought that (particularly around her where some think rapist to lover is a thing).

Your two options are:

1. Sexualize the rape so that guys jerk off to it - but have magic pixie dust make the woman think it a lovely experience
2. Portray the brutal reality of tying to destroy another human being - and make it realistic enough that no reader gets a boner

Path #2 has worked for me in the past with no problems.

 

[Dreamerman77]

Your two options are:

I'm sure I'll stick with option number two.

 

[MiaBabe23]

Didn't find an answer to this specific question, so here it is. I'm working on another historical piece where a captured thrall is being sexually abused by her owner; he rapes her.

I'm not writing it as a sex scene, the description is clinical and brutal. She's not enjoying it, but she's defiant. Winning "the battle" by not doing anything and laughs at him in the end.

The question; is it enough to satisfy Lit rules? Or am I forced to put in the "enjoyment"?

The scene is central to the plot, since she gets her revenge later. By the way... It doesn't sound like it, but it grows to be a love story in the end.

I think you need to be wary of trying to find technicalities to get around the rule that you can’t write about no consent and rape
The fact that some have managed to do so and have their stories stay is a sign, in my view, that the vetting doesn’t always work, for whatever reason
If you’re writing about someone overcoming rape, you can reference this without describing the awful event
If it turns into a love story, perhaps you may want to consider a consensual nc scene
Or if you want to write a story about a woman overcoming something like that - after extensive research into it - this wouldn’t be the place for it
This is an erotic site, people come here for arousal - and I think the site is very clear that it has a strict rule on no non-consent, with good reason
Consider the various other things that aren’t to be written about - you wouldn’t want people finding technicalities to get around those?
Same applies with rape

 

[EmilyMiller]

Or if you want to write a story about a woman overcoming something like that - after extensive research into it - this wouldn’t be the place for it

I have written four such stories here, rated between 4.69 and 4.83. But ‘overcoming’ is too strong a word, learning to live with their trauma maybe.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Should not be allowed at all.

'Central to the story' is crap.

Change the center of the story.

 

[Dreamerman77]

If you’re writing about someone overcoming rape, you can reference this without describing the awful event

Okay, now I'm sure my original message was badly written. The story is set in 845AD. Plot is fictional, but the world described is factual; that includes the treatment of thralls at that time. The story spans over a year in time, and the romance is not with the rapist. The sexual violence scene is there to describe the harsh reality of that time and to show her character to the reader.

This is an erotic site, people come here for arousal

I'm well aware, and the rape scene is not going to be written for someone to get aroused. Yet, not all stories need to be happy sex scenes masked as a story. I enjoy writing more realistic stories that include the elements of romance and sex. I'm quite sure it fits among the other stories here.

 

[MiaBabe23]

I have written four such stories here, rated between 4.69 and 4.83. But ‘overcoming’ is too strong a word, learning to live with their trauma maybe.

Presumably without graphic detail of the event; as I mentioned above, writing about a survivor can make for compelling reading
Writing about the traumatic event of course doesn’t belong on the site

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I enjoy writing more realistic stories that include the elements of romance and sex.

Then do that.

Not the other.

 

[MiaBabe23]

I'm well aware, and the rape scene is not going to be written for someone to get aroused.

It’s not about your intention
It’s the disturbing fact that some will use it for that, which is no doubt one of the reasons it’s forbidden
It sounds like you want to write a story of depth
But including description of something - ie actual rape - which everyone here has, in different ways, acknowledged isn’t allowed, is, well, not allowed, for obvious reasons

 

[Dreamerman77]

'Central to the story' is crap.

I think my exact words were 'The scene is central to the plot,' and I should have added that it builds her character in the direction of a survivor and a warrior, not the victim.

Then do that.

Not the other.

Thank you for your input.

But writing about something - ie actual rape - which everyone here has, in different ways, acknowledged isn’t allowed, is, well, not allowed, for obvious reasons

That's not the impression I got from the messages, and also the existence of the non-consent category implies otherwise. But I'll have to consider how I'll present the scene in the story.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Presumably without graphic detail of the event; as I mentioned above, writing about a survivor can make for compelling reading
Writing about the traumatic event of course doesn’t belong on the site

Example:

—

Her date was late, not massively, but fifteen minutes. It irked Anđela, who was always punctual. Her annoyance was the last thing that she remembered.

Anđela woke aching all over and immediately vomited. Her eyes were blurry and a bright light hurt them. She felt cold and was shaking, realizing that she was soaked through. Managing to sit up, her head spinning, she tried to take in her surroundings. Around her were trees and the bright light was the sun. Silhouetted against it a figure loomed, and Anđela flinched.

But his voice was kind, "you OK, Miss? Too much of a good night, maybe?"

Squinting, she made out a cap, and a badge, and an extended hand. As Anđela reached up to take it, she suddenly retched again. Then there was an unbearable burning between her legs, which made her scream. Despite the onlooker, she grabbed her genitals, and massaged them until the pain passed.

The cop spoke again, "Miss, just stay still. I'm gonna get help." He spoke into his radio. "Control, possible 10-24Q, female victim... yeah, most likely. Require a bus as well. No, no suspect present."

With horror, realization began to creep over Anđela. She held her hand in front of her face and saw the blood stains she already knew would be there.