Why do powerful men like recently disgraced former New York governor Eliot Spitzer turn to prostitution for sex? The answer is more complicated than boredom in the marital bed, says best-selling author Dave Zinczenko, editor of upscale magazine Men's Health. Feelings of power and invincibility cause high-profile men to seek high-priced sex from high-class prostitutes.
"They think their invincibility in the office will also extend to their private lives, which they assume will remain private no matter how high-profile they may be," explains Zinczenko. "Arrogance is a form of blindness, after all."
Politicians, corporate officers, actors, musicians and other celebrities have large sums of ready cash at their disposal for hotels, expensive dinners and classy call girls. They spend their day surrounded by people eager to stroke their ego and do their bidding. It seems natural, Zinczenko says, to want to extend that power into the bedroom. At home these powerful men "can feel like they're last in the family pecking order," explains Zinczenko. Their wife's attention is often focused on her own job, social commitments or children. Prostitution boosts the ego and the hormones, a dangerous combination.
In California, Rape is a nightmare, something no woman should have to go through. Rape also has two sides, and there are dangers on both sides. Women have unfortunately lied about rape claims and ruined the lives of some men, and some men have done their best to lie about accusations made as well.
However, the issue of rape is real and it is a horror to everyone involved. Rape, or sexual assault depending upon the type of act committed and the relationship of the individuals involved, has a more broad definition than simply a forced sexual act. For example, is a woman is given a date-rape drug and then engages in sexual intercourse while under the influence, the other person can be convicted of rape. If the alleged victim has a mental illness or is mentally handicapped, the sexual contact can be considered rape even if there is some sense that it is consensual. There also does not need to be physical violence involved, if there is a threat made, or a weapon shown, that would be considered forced sexual contact.
The laws governing rape however are different than the laws governing statutory rape, as that law has more to do with the age of the people involved, rather than whether the sex was forced or not. However, this does mean that an individual can be accused and convicted of rape and statutory rape.
While the statistics have been exaggerated on both sides of the argument, rape is something that happens in all walks of life. College campuses, poor urban neighborhoods, celebrity mansions and middle class America all unfortunately have the terrible elements of sexual misconduct. It is not something a person can escape just because he/she is wealthy.
If you have been accused of rape, here are some important facts and tips to remember:
- Drugs, even prescribed and pharmaceutical drugs, are important factors in many rape cases, and in the defense of such cases.
- When violence is involved, the sentence for sexual assault, rape and the like will increase, especially during a jury trial.
- Rape is a crime that minors can be convicted of, meaning that if a 15-year-old boy is accused of raping a girl, he can be tried as an adult if the circumstances are severe enough.
- Mental illness, therapy, treatment and the like are all factors that are important to the defense of such crimes.
To combat prostitution, California law enforcement officers use sting operations and prostitution ring breakups like the tactics that netted former governor Spitzer. Both prostitutes and their clients -- of either gender -- are aggressively prosecuted, particularly in Los Angeles County. While first-time offenses are usually charged as misdemeanors, subsequent offenses can be charged as felonies.
