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One simple essay on women crime
The role of women in crime and punishment
Female gender stereotypes in the criminal justice system
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There are many heinous crimes that have saturated our society; news reports of a woman being attacked while walking to her car late at night, a child being abducted and his frantic mother pleading with the assailant to let her child go. There is a common theme threaded into the reports we frequently see plastered on our television screens and that theme is masculinity in crime. It seems almost unfathomable that a woman could commit murder, least of all a sex crime. Due to this distorted thinking of the masses, society has shaped judicial systems worldwide to panelize women less frequently and even less harshly than their male counterparts. When a jury of peers sits in judgment of little Susie Q, wife and mother of 4, on counts of child molestation the initial opinion is that of disbelief. If this was a man sitting in Susie’s place, that man is likely considered a pervert, well before any facts or evidence is even mentioned.
There are numerous cases of women committing violent and nonviolent sex crimes but rarely do we see them on a late night news broadcast. Is it because it happens less frequently than crimes committed by men? Maybe. Or have we been conditioned to think that women are mothers; sweet, all loving souls that comfort and support the ones they love. How lovely. Women are biologically equipped to be mothers and all sorts of other wonderful things, but because of this generalized view, it seems women are more likely to get away with harming someone and that in no way is acceptable. In the article “Theories of Sexual Deviancy” by Rosenberg and Associates, the author states “for the molester, he may find comfort and acceptance in the children he so desires.” This statement openly distinguishes a sex offender as singu...
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...oodgates of communication so that we may be able to better understand and accept that sexual crimes do not discriminate based on gender. Trauma has no hormonal preference. When it comes to innocent people being harmed, gender should be completely excluded and the crime should be punished without prejudice preferential treatment. It is important that all people be held to the same standard when it comes to crime and sexual abuse and violence are no exception.
Works Cited
Burke, Dr. S. Abnormal Psychology/ LifeSpan Psychology Instructor, Washtenaw Community College November 2010.
Munro, Kali. Mother Daughter Sexual Abuse: A Painful Topic. 4 December 2010. .
Rosenberg and Associates. "Theories of Sexual Deviancy." Angelfire.com. 04 December 2010 .
This essay will explore reasons why females such as Vanessa George turn to the crime of sex offending. Demonstrating my knowledge and understanding of classical criminological theory, exploring biological theories such as penis envy and more contemporary views such as liberation theory within feminism. The essay will then go on to look at the inequalities female sex offenders face within the criminal justice system in comparison with males, using chivalry theory and evil woman theory to explain this.
As it is in the case of the majority of violent crimes, (Davies and Rogers, 2006) perpetrators of violent crimes, and especially sexual assault related crimes exert additional force by threatening the victim or their families. Male victims also must contend with an additional sense of shame and embarrassment in being identified with a crime that has been typically portrayed in the media as happening to women. This places men at a disadvantage in the reporting process, because their safety and the safety of others is compromised further if the crime is not reported. (Messerschmitt, 2009)
The acceptance that the court system often treats female offenders differently than male offenders is an accurate statement; however, it comes with many caveats. Generally, the public views women as nurturers, motherly and incapable of harming a child. Research indicates that female sex offenders capable of committing such acts have serious psychiatric and psychological problems. In comparison, research indicates male sex offenders are more callous, more antisocial, and promiscuous, involved in the criminal justice system, and have more victims (Miccio-Fenseca, 2012, slide 7). The consensus is that men commit their acts for sexual pleasure while women commit their acts due to psychiatric and psychological problems. Law enforcement, juries, and judges tend to empathize more when there are additional mitigating factors such as emotional or psychological problems. Due to these mitigating factors, it appears treatment of female sex offenders is more lenient than male if their crimes are similar in nature. Research by Miccio-Fenseca (2012) indicates that in comparison to their male counterparts, “female sex offenders rarely use force or violence far less than often…rarely use threats of violence to silence victims…rarely use threats o...
When the criminal justice system was established, the main objective was to create neutrality and fairness between the sexes. Even though people might believe that there is no such thing as ‘stereotyping’ in the criminal justice system, it is quite obvious that women are constantly being looked down upon because of their sexuality. In general, women tend to be treated like fragile objects that could break at any moment; the truth is that women can be strong and courageous just like men. Society stereotypes about women and the criminal justice system are no different. Throughout history, certain crimes have been separated into different categories based on their prevalence.
Society’s role in criminalizing statutory rape cases play a big part on how people look at the different cases. In society everyone expects for a younger girl to be with an older guy, so people may not see a priority in statutory rape laws. “Considering that it is customary for women to date and marry slightly older men” (M.W., 1998). Since it is not abnormal for younger girls and older guys to be together most people do not see an age gap of about three years that big of a deal. But if these people do not report a case of statutory rape then they are technically endangering a minor. Males in society do not see male statutory rape victims as victims. These men look at it as a pat on the back to the young boys who were sexually active with adult women. The men also make comments saying that they wish they could have been in that position when they were young. Some people in today’s society do not understand the priority of really enforcing statutory rape cases unless there is a huge age difference or the victim was a young girl instead of a boy. The media has a big part in which cases will be recognized. The media tends to show female victims and adult male offenders more than they would male victims and adult female offenders. Female offenders should be broadcasted just as much as the men and should not get privileges just because they are women.
It is not a topic that is brought up often, especially at schools or at gatherings, yet it is crucial that everyone be educated, or at least informed on a topic that affects women every day. “Given that sexual violence continues to occur at high rates in the United States, it is vital that we understand attitudes and cultural norms that serve to minimize or foster tolerance of sexual violence” (Aosved, 481). Growing rates of sexual violence goes to prove that it is not taken seriously by many, especially when myths excuse the actions of the perpetrator and instead guilt victims into thinking they are responsible for the horrible act. Burt (1980), in her article titled, “Cultural myths and support for rape” attempts to make sense of the importance of stereotypes and myths, defined as prejudicial, stereotypes, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists- in creating a climate hostile to rape victims (Burt, 217). Examples of rape myths are such sayings as “only bad girls get raped”; “women ask for it”; “women cry rape” (Burt, 217). This only goes to prove that rape myths against women always blame and make it seem like it is the women’s fault she was raped and that she deserved it for “acting” a certain way. McMahon (2007), in her article titled, “Understanding community-specific rape myths” explains how Lonsway and Fitzgerald (1994) later described rape myths as “attitudes and beliefs that are generally
Sexual assault is defined as a type of behaviour that occurs without explicit consent from the recipient and under sexual assault come various categories such as sexual activities as forces sexual intercourse, incest, fondling, attempted rape and more (Justice.gov. 2017). People often become victims of sexual assault by someone they know and trust (Mason & Lodrick, 2013) which is conflicting to the public’s perception and beliefs that offenders are strangers. Women are the main victims for sexual assault and are 5 times more likely to have been a victim of sexual assault from a male (Wright, 2017, p. 93). Men are victims of sexual assault however only 0.7% of men, compared to 3.2% of women, experience some form of sexual assault which highlights how vulnerable women are compared to men. Sexual assault is publicised and exposed in the media, however is often
In the male typologies there are separate categories for child molesters and rapists, which is largely due to fact that they offend in very different ways. However, for the female typologies there is no such distinction, because all except one of the typologies have victims who are on average less than 15 years old (Vandiver & Kercher, 2004).The Aggressive Homosexual Offender is the only typology with an adult offender, however the victims are female (Vandiver & Kercher, 2004).The lack of a typology for female offenders with male adult victims could be due to certain factors playing a part in society. In particular, in today’s rape culture there is the belief that women cannot physically rape men. One reason why this belief is held is because society views women as physically weaker than men and are unable to overpower men. The male sex drive discourse also adds to this belief if men can never refuse sex than they essentially can never be raped. This belief has various problems for both men and women. The lack of a typology that includes adult male victims minimizes and ignores real men that were victimized by women. Not including men in the victim analysis sends the message that they are not ‘real’ victims. In contrast to that, since these victims are not seen as ‘real’ victims, the female offenders are not seen as ‘real’ offenders. By
First, Chesney-Lind points out that research on female offenders in general is lacking, and that victimization plays a key role in the offending of women. "…Responses must address a world that has been unfair to women and especially those of color and pover...
According to CBS “Ex foster kids say abuse routine in home of teens found dismembered”. The kids faced physical and sexual abuse.Jeannette Walls tells of a time when, as a child, she was sexually assaulted by a neighbor while in her bed. Her father went around town looking for the man -- "pervert hunting" -- trying to show his daughter that he cared what had happened to her.This is relevant because according to Rainn.org “Every 98 seconds a person is sexually assaulted”. It is also relevant because it's important for people to be heard.Another time, Uncle Stanley begins groping Jeannette while they are watching television. She complains to her mother, but her mother says that "sexual assault is a crime of perception" page .184. It is relevant to the world because people tend to try to tell someone and they are pushed away.It is relevant because both Jeannette and her brother both experienced sexual abuse while growing up when they were younger. Most people are afraid to speak up when things like that occurs and when they read about they tend to want to speak up like Jeannette and her brother did. Sometimes when people try to speak up they are ignored and that drives them to harm themselves. Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse, and is sometimes also called sexual assault. Rape can happen to both men and
When looking mainly at gender studies have shown that men will look more harshly on the victim and women will look more harshly upon the rapist (Acock&Ireland, 1983). Men’s more accepting attitude and increase blame on the victim is because of
Before the jury stands the defendant. There is overwhelming evidence in the favor of the prosecution. The verdict comes back from the jury, not guilty. Why? The defendant is a woman. In our era of equal rights and civil liberties women have made great strides in their advancement and role in society, yet it seems that gender segregates when it comes to crime. There have been countless cases where women and men have been tried for the same crime, yet when it comes to verdict and sentencing, the results don’t necessarily match. If one commits a crime one should be punished accordingly regardless of gender. In our society we seem to have two separate rules for our criminals, one for men and one for women. The key issue is are men and women treated equally by the criminal justice system. Another issue in gender biased sentencing is in its is its severity. Are women sentenced heavier for certain crimes then men.
Sexual assaults have been making the news more often lately. But the ones that garner attention are only the most gruesome tales. The ones that make people weak with relief that it wasn’t them, or their child. Case in point: the Steubenville case in which a teen girl was raped by two high school football players, and the community defended the players. The case of Rehtaeh Parsons, who was taken off life support after trying to hang herself because a photograph of her alleged rape circulated for a prolonged period at school. And the case of Amanda Todd, who was stalked after a photo of her was circulated online, and to her family and friends. Rape and sexual assault are systemic failings in our society, not especially horrific incidents that
...apidly our world today. There are hundreds of places people may go and visit for help or more information about rape and sexual violence. It is very important that when and if it happens, the victim needs to report the crime to authorities immediately. People must know the truth about rape and sexual violence and what to do about it.
In light of the recent Brock Turner case, the media was quick to point out all of the star qualities of the rapist, Brock Turner, and quick to point out that the victim was intoxicated. Brock Turner’s family emphasized that their son should not go to jail because he was a talented swimmer and had a bright future ahead of him (Levin). The media tries to justify the assault against the victim and benefit the rapist by describing them in a way where the public sympathizes with them. This steals the sympathy and support away from the victim who should be rightfully supported. In “Sexual Assault Prevention Tips” by Feminally, Feminally satirically but seriously puts all the responsibility on the perpetrator/person who could potentially be a perpetrator (Feminally 347). It is ironically written, but it gets the point across. One of the tips goes: “USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM! If you are not able to stop yourself from assaulting people, ask a friend to stay with you while you are in public” (Feminally 347). Almost always, young girls are taught to never walk alone and to always live in fear when they are—Feminally places all the responsibility on potential attackers that sexual assault begins with them. In a perfect world, women would not feel the need to take self-defense classes or carry pepper spray in their bags in order to be prepared for a potential assault. Victims, who are mostly women,