Vimes, I've read a bit regarding that issue in your country. From what I can find, and find in a number of more rural areas as well, is that there is an overall dis-value of women by said rapists. They often view women more as an object. Or, in some areas, men will think they can "rape women straight" if they think they are gay. Some men (wrongly) assume that women in certain dress or unchaperoned are prostitutes or wanting it.
The long and short is that there seems to be a huge issue in how they regard women. I'm not sure how to change it. Certainly, having tv programs which show a value on women would be helpful but I think it'd really needs to almost be a grassroots effort-to which I have no solutions except hope and pray that fathers and uncles will be good examples to their sons. Because that is where it starts. If someone hears a role model in their life remark on women being 'tramps' or 'teases,' it starts. When someone points to a female they consider uptight and says, "She needs a good lay to set her right." It starts. When they makes comments saying, "She shouldn't advertise that body and not expect something to happen." It starts. Even when they say things to their sons like, "Well when she says no, she really means yes-" the groundwork begins. When they call women sluts, when they make comments that a certain woman is his, when they claim that they were lead on by various women and that they really wanted it-and I think you all get the idea.
These are things I've heard growing up. America is no better for it, hence the huge instances of 'gray rape,' Aviel. Many don't consider someone drunk to be unable to consent, despite laws proving the contrary. Somewhere, some when, I guarantee you that they had a male role model in their life devalue women.
As for the stat rape laws, there are some states that have so called "Romeo and Juliet" clauses. I know the Pa has one where if you are 4 years or less older than the person of consent you are having consensual sex with, it's not a violation.
As for the consequences, many times they aren't that grave. Recently we've had judges-just in the states-reduce jury given sentences for men convicted of rape.
One raped a 14 year old girl,
one raped a group of young men to 'ungay' them. In the case of the 14 year old girl, the judge has been quoted as saying that she was "older than her chronological age." That's the mindset that needs to stop. Regardless of how she looked, the 30 some year old man was quite in control of his actions. I think that's what many forget. Or choose to forget. There's been a huge history of women being made out as jezebels and temptresses-and that idea carries forward. It's very, very sad.