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The intricacies of rape in our society
The intricacies of rape in our society
Conclusion to statutory rape laws
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Recommended: The intricacies of rape in our society
Annotated Bibliography- Rape
Rape: sexual assault of an individual or group that is not consented for.
McGylnn C, Munro Ve, (2010) Rethinking rape law: an introduction. Rethinking rape law international and comparative perspectives. USA:Routledge, 18 - 30.
The introduction chapter 'Rethinking rape law' addresses an analytical overview of rape laws throughout a range of jurisdictions. Thus, engaging the development and debate of sexual assault laws within international and comparative perspectives. Within this overview, research emerges towards the vast supply of rape complaints during criminal investigations.
To conclude, this chapter review promotes 'human rights' and enforcement of new laws in order to make positive changes towards victims of sexual assault and social changes within todays society. Thus, gaining an understanding of rethinking rape law, through an international and comparative perspective.
McGylnn C, Munro Ve, (2010) Rethinking rape law: an introduction. Rethinking rape law international and comparative perspectives. USA:Routledge, 18 – 30.
Further, through an immense supply of international human rights, individuals have been assured social justice will occur through the act of sexual assault. However, a major weakness presented within this chapter reveals wartime rape overlooked, due to the vast majority of individuals sexually assaulted. Thus, decreasing victims human rights. In conclusion, rethinking rape law has successfully informed sexual assault through international and comparative perspectives. Further, increasing human rights in todays society due to social justice laws.
Hemmings, S, Kidd, M, Malan, S, Martin, L & Seedat, S, (2011) Investigation of telomere length and psychological stress in rape...
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...ed. To conclude, resistant strategies and prevention programs for men and women provide a vast supply of positive outcomes. Thus, decreasing the chances of sexual assault from occurring.
Banyard, VL, Berkowitz, AD, Gidycz, CA, Katz, JT, Kuss, MP, Lonsway, KA, Schewe, PA, Ullman, SE, (2011) Rape prevention and risk reduction. Domestic violence article 18: 1 - 22
Further, this review highly demonstrates positives outcomes from self-defence training. This is evident through a decreased fear of rape and a sense of control. On the other hand, weaknesses presented on rape prevention programs detect a limited supply of change due to methodological and measurement issues.In conclusion, research has been usefully informed towards rape prevention and risk reduction strategies. Thus, portraying 'self-defence' as a major prevention strategy towards victims of sexual assault.
Saunders states that Rape Shield laws are in place to protect victims of sexual assaults and rapes during a criminal trial. They prevent defendants to bring fourth evidence of the victim’s sexual history, orientation or past relationships (Saunders, 2014). Rape can be a very emotional and embarrassing ordeal; it’s very private and personal and can be hard to deal with for years to come. As with many victims of crime especially sexual offenses there are advantages and disadvantages to each new law that is implemented. This paper is designed to analyze the advantages and disadvantage of the Rape Shield Laws.
Rape Shield Laws Facing with much criticism from women’s group with the legal definitions of rape and how rape cases are being processed in the legal system, the government is forced to pass a Rape Law reform in the 1970s. Rape law reform urging courts to treat rape case the same as other crimes, rape law reforms modified traditional rape laws and ratified evidentiary reforms in every state in the United States. The most common and widespread changes occurred in three areas. First, rape was redefined so that there was no longer a single crime of rape.
According to RAINN, (2009) approximately 10 per cent of all victims of sexual assault and abuse are adult and juvenile males. In terms of the nature of assault, real figures include a compendium of reported incidents ranging from unwanted sexual touching to forced penetration. To qualify this statement, it must be understood that the percentage does not reflect a vast number of crimes that go unreported due to issues that will be discussed in the present paper.
Rape can happen to anyone. Women from different cultures, races, ages, and economic level are all vulnerable. It does not matter who you are or where you live, although women of lowest status are most vulnerable to rape, and so are Hispanic and African American women. (An...
Vladutiu, Catherine J., Sandra L. Martin, and Rebecca J. Macy. "College- or University- Based Sexual Assault Prevention Programs: A Review of Program Outcomes, Characteristics, and Recommendations." Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. SAGE, n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2013. .
For many centuries the crime of sexual violence has been perceived as a gendered crime of power mostly victimizing women. The legal system, at least in theory, puts rape to be a punishable crime, nonetheless when rape cases are brought before the law they are hit with the allegation of the ‘rape myth’, the victim’s legitimacy is continuously questioned and the defense party is given the power to undermine the victim’s story. Not only the victims of such horrendous offences are stripped off their right to justice; they are revictimized and mistreated in the courtroom and society if they are not seen to fit the category of the ‘ideal victim’. The neglect of rape cases before the law has led victims of this offence to become unwilling to report the incident causing sexual assault to become the most underreported crime in our criminal justice system. This issue has therefore become one of the main focuses of the feminist theory, which attempts to understand the criminal justice system’s discrimination and misuse of power against women.
According to Dumond (2003), “ rape among weak and susceptible prison inmates is currently one of the most psychologically tormenting crimes committed in prison which usually goes unnoticed, unattended and are usually not prosecuted.” Unfortunately, the issue of rape among inmates still continues and is currently facing a counter attack by legislation. Furthermore, Dumond (2003) indicates, “the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 was enacted to provide relief and hopefully reduce and eliminate the incidence of rape in prison.”
According to a statement addressing the sexual victimization of college women The Crime and Victimization in America states that, “ One out of four women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus.” This disturbing fact has not minimized throughout the years, instead it is continuing to worsen throughout college campuses. Sexual assault is not an act to be taken lightly. Society must stop pinpointing the individuals who commit these crimes one by one, but rather look at the problem as a whole and begin to understand the main cause of sexual assault and possible methods to reduce these acts of sexual coercion.
Statutory rape laws are valuable in protecting the rights of minors. Possibly, if the laws were revamped to suit the changing attitudes’ of modern society, the law would be more effective. In place of worrying about the misinterpreted claims of statutory rape, prosecutors can focus on the more crucial cases. With more defined modern guidelines, society would be aware of the laws regarding statutory rape and some more pleased. Statutory rape laws are no longer used to prohibit teenagers from having sex. Instead, the regulations are to make certain that the teenagers who are having sexual intercourse are not unknowingly being emotionally forced into it by their significantly older partner’s power. Ideally, statutory rape laws can only improved the lives of teenagers.
It is very troubling to hear that 1 in 5 women in University will be victims of sexual assault, and even more so that less than 60% of cases get reported. The purpose of my paper is to put emphasis on how important it is that more people be informed about rape culture, but to also explain how men are just as important in working towards prevention as are women.
There are numerous countries where laws, customs and traditions are often strongly religion based. These countries do not share the same concept of justice as western cultures. People in these countries do not enjoy the same freedoms or carry the same responsibilities as citizens in western cultures. Some non-industrialized countries consider women merely as property and they are not equal with men nor is women’s life in general valued. There is a huge gender bias in these cultures where marital rape is a common practice and not a prosecutable offense. Tehre is no criminal justice system to support the victim and prosecute the offender. Therefore the offender goes unpunished and the rape victim may suffer severe consequences of the rape through
“Rape is a crime that combines sex and violence, that makes sex the weapon in an act of violence.”(Kimmel 257) Because of this, rape is often traumatic for the victim of a rape. Many victims undergo what is known as rape trauma syndrome, “…rape trauma syndrome, consisting of an acute stage, where the primary response is fear, followed by a reorganization stage, characterized by phobias, insomnia, sexual dysfunctions, and major changes in life-style.”(Chandler et al pp. 248) These are some of the psychological side effects that women must endure after the rape. There are also other factors, relating to the individual that effect rape trauma they include, “age, prior sexual experience, ethnicity, and response of significant others to the victim. Factors relating to the sexual assault, such as degree of violence and the relationship between the victim and the assailant also affect trauma.”(Chandler et al pp 249) Overall, is is safe to say that there are many psychological effects of rape that allows women to fear the attack of a rape.
“Rape and Sexual Violence Are Serious Problems.” Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 2008. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
The society we live in is rape-conducive, rape-friendly, if you will. Despite the anger I feel joining those two words together, I know the sad paradox holds within it a great deal of truth. We are a violent society that has shrouded rape in mystery and shame. To stop this nightmare’s venomous crusades, all people must wage a private war to eradicate their own acceptance of the savage crime. While it is only a minority of men that actually commit rape, it is everyone’s silence that tells them it’s ok.
Rape is known as one of heinous crimes a person can commit to someone else. Even though US’s justice system recognizes that rape is a serious threat to women’s physical and mental safety as well as their autonomy, our justice system gravely fails to convict and persecute the perpetrators, making women vulnerable to these sexual crimes. Hence, many women, especially those who are victims of rape, live in fear, which seriously curtails their freedom of movement and confidence in everyday life (Chamallas, 2013). Not only our justice system fails to protect women from rape, but also our society’s skeptical attitude towards rape severely affects rape victims to come forward or report their terrible experiences. The general public views rape as a myth rather than as a fact, and believes that women cry rape just to get public attention, sympathy, and compensation from the perpetrators. Even if the rape did happen, most people still blame women for being irresponsible. Due to the lack of our justice system in convicting rapists and our society’s misconception of rape, the conviction rate of rape is very low even though it is a common crime in our country.