The Defintion of Rape Redefined

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The definition of rape, established in 1927 was "the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will"(Basu, 2012). It remained this way for eight-five years. On January 6, 2012, the definition of rape was broadened to include men as victims. Rape is now defined as "penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim"(Basu, 2012).

Often when people hear the word rape they automatically think male perpetrator and female victim, but men are victims too. At least ten percent of all rape victims are males, that’s equivalent to one out of every thirty-three american males.("Rape crisis center") Even today, even after the definition of rape being changed, there is still a stigma when people hear about men being rape victims. The male victim often feels weak for having been a victim of rape, something he did not choose and could not control. It is more common for male victims to be raped by another male, however females have raped males as well. Over eighty-six percent of all male victims are raped by another male.("Campus advocacy network") Men are even less willing to report their rape if their rapist was a female, because society tells men that they are the more dominant gender.
There are several different forms of rape, power rape, anger rape, and sadistic rape. Power rapists only use enough force to overpower their victim. If they have a weapon they use it only to threaten the victim. They choose their victim based on, vulnerability, accessibility, and availability. Anger rapists use excessive violence, if they have a weapon they will use it. Their victims are unplanned and based on availability. ...

... middle of paper ...

... time in jail. In the end fifteen out of sixteen rapists will walk free thats equivalent to about six percent of rapists who will spend time in jail.

Works Cited

Basu, M. (2012, January 06). U.s. broadens archaic definition of rape. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/06/justice/rape-definition-revised/

Campus advocacy network. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uic.edu/depts/owa/sa_male_survivors.html

Central minnesota sexual assault center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cmsac.org/facts-and-statistics/

Healing our past experiences. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hopesurvivors.org.uk/pg4-rape_effects.html

Rape crisis center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx

Sexual assault victimization. (2002, February). Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ovc_archives/reports/help_series/pdftxt/sexualassaultvictimization.txt

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