NCJ Number
13137
Date Published
1974
Length
238 pages
Annotation
MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES, PREVENTIVE AND SELF-DEFENSE MEASURES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEMINIST EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE RAPE AND RELATED DEGRADATIONS.
Abstract
THERE HAS BEEN A NATIONAL AWAKENING TO THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT OF VICTIMS AND THEIR AGGRESSORS, THE REVISION OF VICTIM RELATED LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES, AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM TO SUPPORT VICTIMIZATION NEEDS. THE BOOK COMMENCES WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RAPE EXPERIENCES AND DESCRIBES VICTIM ATTITUDES AND RAPISTS' MOTIVATION. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE MEDIA PROTAGONISTS, ADVERSE PUBLIC OPINION, AND ACTIONS OF WOMEN WHO ARE LABELED 'RAPE BAIT.' THE AUTHORS POINT OUT THE LEGAL DILEMMA IN DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN FORCIBLE RAPE AND CONSENT. THEY TRACE THE SUBJUGATION AND HUMILIATION A WOMAN FACES FROM THE MOMENT OF ATTACK ON HER PERSON, THROUGH THE INITIAL REPORT AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION, TO COURT INTERROGATION. DETERRENTS TO REPORTING THE CRIME INCLUDE THE LACK OF SEPARATE FACILITIES IN HOSPITALS FOR RAPE VICTIMS, EXCESSIVE WAITING, COSTLY HOSPITAL FEES, INSENSITIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND RECURRENT AND UNNECESSARILY INTIMATE POLICE AND DEFENSE QUESTIONING. THE SECOND HALF OF THIS BOOK LOOKS AT EFFORTS OF PHYSICIANS AND PSYCHIATRISTS, RAPE CRISIS CENTERS IN THE EAST, MID-WEST, AND IN CALIFORNIA, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, LEAA, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE NEW YORK CITY FEMALE ANTI-RAPE SQUAD. CURRENT LEGAL REFORM HAS FOCUSED ON THE REMOVAL OF THE CORROBORATION REQUIREMENT, AND REDUCTION OF THE DEATH PENALTY FOR RAPE IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE HESITATION FOR PROSECUTION OF RAPISTS. (SNI ABSTRACT)