In the majority of books read this year rape has been used as a convenient and free weapon against women, men, and children. The act takes away almost all power from the victim and gives the rapist ultimate authority. It encompasses an addiction to both power and sex. This combination creates a complete lack of shared empathy and a need to indulge ones desires. The victims are subjected to the short term physical pain of forced intercourse and most have to deal with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In Death and the Maiden, Paulina seems to show signs of PSTD because of her "triggers", or details that take her back to her rape such as the Gerado's voice, and infatuation with revenge. Vengeful fantasies blended with flashbacks can cause a person to distort reality. At this point the eyes and ears are not receivers but projectors of what the victim believes they see. Whether or not Roberto was innocent is debatable. What is certain is that rape haunts a victim until their last breath, making them fearful or belligerent when triggers are present.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUH8ZhmEyP8