Rape and assault are not just social crimes, but a complex scientific equation of human psychological distortion, biological persecution and environmental influences. In this alluvial delta called Bangladesh, the horror of this crime is increasing geometrically over time. Science says that to cure any disease, it is first necessary to dissect the causes at the molecular level at its root. Starting from the play of neurotransmitters in the human brain to the evolutionary flaws in the social structure�"everything is provoking this criminal tendency. Let us try to find the source of this darkness and the light of liberation from it through a scientific and psychological journey.
The amygdala, a part of the human brain, controls primitive violence, fear, and sexual aggression. In normal people, the prefrontal cortex suppresses this primitive urge with logic and morality. But in the brain of a criminal, the neural connection between these two parts becomes weak. As a result, they fail to control their momentary animalistic behavior and engage in crime.
The imbalance of the hormones dopamine and testosterone plays a huge role in sexual aggression. Studies have shown that when testosterone levels in the body increase excessively, it makes people more aggressive and controlling. At the same time, the abnormal secretion of dopamine in the brain blinds the criminal to a kind of temporary, distorted pleasure.
In the language of psychology, people suffering from antisocial personality disorder are completely indifferent to the suffering of others. When the development of the limbic system of the brain is disrupted due to childhood trauma or family neglect, the feeling of empathy disappears in people. This lack of empathy is what drives a person to become a criminal.
From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, in primitive times, there was a dark tendency for forced reproduction among men, which has been suppressed by law and morality in modern civilization. But in some individuals, this primitive demonic genetic trait awakens from its dormant state. They flout the rules of modern civilization and become obsessed with trying to expand their primitive dominance.
Drugs and alcohol directly attack the central nervous system of a person and paralyze the judgment. Scientific research has proven that the prefrontal cortex of the brain is temporarily shut down due to drug use. Then, people do not have the ability to distinguish between good and evil and the latent brutal desires are expressed in violent forms.
In social psychology, ‘deindividuation’ or lack of group identity is one of the main causes of gang rape. When a group of people are together, the individual forgets his moral responsibility and starts behaving violently as part of the group. In group madness, the part of the brain that deals with personal accountability becomes inactive, as a result of which people do things that they could not do individually, as a group.
In human psychology, the intense desire to demonstrate power often takes the form of sexual violence. For many criminals, rape is not just a means of sexual gratification, but it is a tool to assert power, control and take revenge on the victim. To cover up his own failures or inferiority in life, the criminal gets a distorted sense of satisfaction by physically torturing another weak being.
Gender inequality and the tendency to view women as a commodity or object of consumption in social psychology provoke crime. Due to cognitive bias, the criminal thinks that the woman’s clothing or behavior is responsible for this incident. This psychological confusion frees the perpetrator from his guilt and makes him think that his actions are right.
Children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse in childhood are at a scientific risk of becoming criminals themselves in later life. In psychology, this is called the ‘cycle of violence’. The irreparable mental wounds and repressed anger of childhood are expressed in adulthood by brutally torturing others.
In the digital age, pseudonyms and cyberbullying in the virtual world are eliminating social shame and fear among people. The mentality of harassing someone on the Internet is gradually paving the way for disrespecting women in real life as well. This virtual distortion is accelerating the moral decline in real life and pushing them towards crime.
The first scientific way to get rid of this darkness is to develop cognitive behavior in children from childhood. Scientific and gender-sensitive education should be included in the curriculum from the primary school level. This will permanently instill the concept of mutual respect and consent in the brain of the human child, which will prevent future criminal tendencies.
To ensure speedy justice, it is necessary to use data analytics and automation in the justice system. Protracted proceedings embolden the criminal, so with the help of technology, exemplary punishment should be ensured by quickly settling the case. A fast and sure justice system will build a strong psychological resistance in the society.
Widespread awareness should be created by highlighting the psychological analysis of the criminal through the media and social media. The horror of the trauma or mental injury of crime should be instilled in the subconscious mind of the people through visual media. This psychological campaign to arouse empathy will awaken the human emotions within the people.
Strengthening family ties and creating opportunities for healthy entertainment directs the dopamine secretion of the brain in a positive direction. Playgrounds, cultural centers and science clubs should be built in every area. When the young society keeps themselves busy in creative work, their brain power will develop in a positive direction instead of being driven towards crime.
Women need to be taught scientific techniques for economic and social empowerment and self-defense. Self-defense training not only empowers women physically, but also increases their confidence. At the same time, the strong position of women in society forces men to develop a sense of respect in their psychology.
Lastly, demonic crimes like rape and molestation are eating away at society from within. Science has shown us how a small dark corner of the human mind can turn the entire society into hell.
However, the hope is that science has shown us a specific way out of this maze. All that is needed is collective goodwill, proper planning and its scientific implementation. Let us overcome primitive brutality and build a healthy, safe, and humane Bangladesh, where every person can live with their heads held high, fearless.
The writer is a contributor
