Abstract This paper discusses the concept of restorative justice with regards to rapevictims. It gives a definition of restorative justice according to different groups and describes how this form of justice is meant to assist the victim. The paper discusses restorative justice in relation to past cases of rapes and how the victims and families dealt with the crime.
From the Paper "Because Lucy's bones were part of the evidence, the family could not receive them until the case was ended, but Marian did see her sister's bones; "I gasped at the sight of her skull - it was so beautiful, like burnished gold..." Meanwhile in order to bring closure, Marian was advised by her Buddhist counselor about restorative justice, and she became involved in mediation for other rape victims. Marian told a group of incarcerated rapists that her sister had been gagged before being killed, and so she, Marian, wished to hear their truths. "One of the prisoners who had committed multiple rape said, '...Until you spoke I was just play at victim empathy,' and it clearly helped him to understand what he'd done." And moreover, Marian is planning to write a letter to one of the two persons (now in prison) responsible for the mass murders (and Lucy's murder). "Those who know her [the convicted co-murderer] have advised me that it is not yet time to suggest..." a meeting between the two. "Meanwhile, I am content to continue sending her compassion," Marian concluded."
Abstract This paper contains a series of real life experiences of rapevictims. The author describes their trauma and recounts how these mostly acquaintance-rapevictims try to overcome their rape ordeal and recover psychologically as well as physically. The paper provides some statistics on rape cases as well as incest and child abuse cases in the USA.
From the Paper "The people who commit these heinous acts are usually close to the victim, a parent, cousin, uncle, friend of the family, or neighbor. The parents of the child, if they are not the ones molesting the child, feel safe about leaving the child with the molester, and the child feels as though they have no power to protect themselves. Rape is not about sex. It is about power and control - the power to destroy and the control over the body and mind of another person. Yet, those who can overcome being raped are immensely powerful themselves."
Abstract This paper contends that rape shield statutes should exist and be enforced to protect the rapevictims from unnecessary harassment in court and increase the chances of conviction. Rape shield laws are designed to protect women from defense attorneys who attempt to introduce irrelevant evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct (Barrett, 1987, p. 57; Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557).
From the Paper "This paper contends that rape shield statutes should exist and be enforced to protect the rape victims from unnecessary harassment in court and increase the chances of conviction. Rape shield laws are designed to protect women from defense attorneys who attempt to introduce irrelevant evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct (Barrett, 1987, p. 57; Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557). They have been created to overcome the overwhelming court bias against the victims and their prosecutors. For example, the notorious instructions of Matthew Hale, Lord Chief Justice of the Bench, have cast a shadow over the attempts of the victims and their prosecutors to win their cases: "…rape is an accusation easy to be made, hard to be proved, and harder to be defended by the party accused though ever so innocent" (qtd. in Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557)."
Argues that over-prescribing anti-depressants world-wide could prevent rape survivors from seeking and receiving treatment for depression and other mental health diseases.
Abstract This paper contends that the skyrocketing number of prescriptions for anti-depressants recently has caused some to worry that patients, such as rapevictims, who could benefit from the addition of medication in their recovery, might not be able to get the much-needed medicine.
From the Paper "The recent FDA decision regarding SSRI's (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors) has caused the medical community to scale down anti-depressant prescriptions in recent months. This project in intended to shed light on the growing problem of over-prescribing anti-depressants and the effects that ultimately could prevent rape survivors from receiving the much needed medications they need for recovery."
Abstract This article studies the book "Rape Fantasies" and the writer asks the question "Who is the victim when a woman is raped?" The writer maintains that the women of Margaret Atwood's short story "Rape Fantasies" suggest that women often cannot identify who is a victim and who is not a victim when they are raped. The story is told as a monologue in the first person voice of a woman named Estelle. It chronicles a group of women indulging in spoken fantasies about rape, specifically being raped by men. At first, the women's joking tones suggest that they are not really talking about being raped at all, but enjoying their sexuality. The women desire sex with strangers but use the word 'rape' as a way of discussing their unspoken and unacknowledged sexual desires in a culture that does not permit women to openly acknowledge their sexuality in a positive fashion. But at the end of the story, as Estelle is revealed to be speaking her monologue to a man she has met in a bar, Atwood suggests that ultimately, even when women are joking about rape, rape is still a very serious act against women in terms of female victimization.
From the Paper "In defiance of the warnings cited by the narrator from popular women's magazines, Chrissy says she fears men. But Chrissy is still a victim, because she cannot enjoy sex other than in terms of being forced to enjoy sex. In her daily life Chrissy dresses to attract men and to win male approval. In Chrissy's private life she uses the idea of forced sexuality as a way of enjoying male attentions without the pressures of the consenting to sex. Thus, Chrissy is still a victim of rape ideology.
Estelle, the office worker responds to Chrissy's comments by noting how popular the topic of rape has become in women's magazines, citing titles like "Rape: Ten Things To Do About It" is less open in her attitude. At first, Estelle pokes fun at the magazine's obsession, noting that the carefulness urged by the magazine on the part of women makes it seem like avoiding sexual assault is a step-by-step process ''like it was ten new hairdos or something," not a serious criminal and personal issue. The story evolves from Estelle's point of view. But there are hints that Estelle initially finds the conversation of her female colleagues uncomfortable, as is evidenced by her focus on the beginning pursuit of the women, a bridge game and by concentrating on her bidding."
Abstract The paper states that rape is no longer the simple concept it was a generation ago. The traditional scenario of rape, where a man physically forces a woman to have sex, is no longer the only possibility. The paper discusses the gray area of rape, which can involve a victim instigating a sexual relationship, but then deciding not to give consent. The paper notes that it can include scenarios where the victim is voluntarily intoxicated and simply doesn't remember giving consent. The paper discusses whether these people are truly victims and highlights the fact that when alcohol and/or drugs are thrown into the mix, proving that consent was not given is often difficult to prove, and thus makes up the gray area of rape.
Outline:
Introduction
The Hook-Up Culture of Today's Youth
Hooking Up and the Gray Area of Rape Gray Rape - Not Just for Women
Are Gray RapeVictims Truly Victims?
Alcohol and Gray Rape Conclusion
From the Paper "The hood up culture of today's younger generation comes with risks beyond the obvious of increased chances of sexually transmitted diseases, but of rape. The term coined that describes what happens when hooking up becomes sexual assault is 'gray rape', according to Newsom. This gray area can involve drugs and/or alcohol or sexually explicit behavior that muddies the lines of true consent.
"One incident regarding a Duke University sophomore illustrates the unclear lines of gray rape. The girl had had one drink at a bar and returned to her dorm room with a male. She had told him she didn't want to have sex, but began to make out with the young man. They removed their underwear, and she still said she didn't want to have sex, but they didn't stop, and did have sex. The girl didn't report the incident or even consider it rape, yet some believe it to still be sexual assault. "
Tags: alcohol-induced, promiscuous, culture, sleeping, around
Abstract In this article, the writer points out that the act of rape is one of the most violent and demeaning crimes in society. Further, the writer notes that rape is more associated with aggression and domination than it is with sex. The writer explains that not only does this act cause physical harm but it is also emotionally and psychologically damaging to the victim. In this paper, the writer discusses that in spite of the suffering of rapevictims, the myth is often propagated in society that women initiate rape either by being alluring or tacitly leading the male on. The writer concludes that it should be remembered that rape is a crime and a social act that has enormous consequences for the victim.
From the Paper "However, mythical attitudes and stereotypes have an extremely negative effect, not directly only on the women who is a victim of rape but also in terms of the reportage and combating of this crime; as well as on the subsequent arrest rates. Due to this myth that women often invite rape, many women feel that they are somehow to blame if they are raped. This has been given as a central reason why many women do not report being raped to the authorities. The myths therefore tend to distort the victims sense of psychological balance and viewpoint and point to the possibility that she may have in some way led the rapist on or encouraged him. These women therefore internalize the dominant social rape myths that are promulgated in the society and culture so that they become a measure of 'reality'."
Abstract This paper discusses how historically, the concept of rape has severed to protect a man's right to exclusive sexual access to his woman, while the feminist re-definition of rape empowers women to assert control over their own bodies. This paper also reviews various reactions to this re-definition of rape and discusses the effects that rape has on a victim.
From the Paper "Criminology indicated that date rape was an under-reported crime (Date pp). Vanstone highlighted the fact that sex through physical violence is clearly viewed as rape, date rape, on the other hand, may not involve physical violence (Date pp). There are other forms other forms of coercion to obtain sex that is also considered rape, such as "fear of violence, detention, intoxication with alcohol or a drug, and deception can all be factors relevant to whether the woman has consented (Date pp). Vanstone said that date rape has been an offence for a very long time, yet only recently has been acknowledged as a serious social problem (Date pp). According to a 1996 survey, almost 90 percent of rape victims know the perpetrator, and of these victims, some 25 percent were the current partner, boyfriend or date of the victim in the twelve months prior to the survey, and if previous partners are added in, the percentage is as high as 37 percent (Date pp). However, date rape is rarely reported to law enforcement authorities, and most surveys indicate that the number of sexual assaults reported to the police are only the tip of the iceberg (Date pp). "
Tags: date, rape, issues, sexual, victimization, control, assult, post, traumatic, stress, sex
Abstract This paper discusses the motivation behind sexual offenders and the devastating effects of the crime on its victims. The paper explains that sexual offenders turn their victims into objects that they dominate and degrade and that sexual child abuse and rape hurts the individual mentally and spiritually. Furthermore, victims are often misunderstood and suffer long-term problems. The paper includes statistics on rape and child sexual abuse.
From the Paper "According to the U.S. Department of Justice, "Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every 2 minutes" (American Rape Statistics 2006). Rape is a major problem in America with many women failing to report rape to the police or even their significant other. One in six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape..." (2005). Are these women raped by strangers? Are these women harmed if they are not beaten or stabbed? The statistics on sexual child abuse is similar. "The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of who do not report the offence" (Child Abuse 2006). Many of these victims become adults without telling anyone during their childhood years and often do not tell others even as adults. Child Abuse Research and Statistics show that "there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America today"."
Abstract This paper seeks to explore the effect of rape myths on the victim. The paper explains that rape myths are stereotyped, false and prejudicial beliefs which serve to downplay the perpetrator's responsibility and criminality while shifting blame towards the victim. The paper looks at how these myths continue to be entrenched in society and thus dominate the general attitudes towards this crime. It also discusses how the myths contribute significantly to victims' feelings of guilt and often make it impossible for them to realize that they have even been raped.
From the Paper "To understand their dilemma we have to consider the societal predispositions towards the subject, the gender roles engrained in both women and men and the self protective mechanisms that exist in both the rapist and the society that tolerates his actions. The legal definitions of rape so far include forced vaginal, oral and anal sex that was either accomplished or attempted. Date rape, more specifically, is sexual assault that occurs when victim and perpetrator know each other through some form of accepted social contact. It is an act which uses sex as a weapon to exert power and humiliate, which makes this such a unique scenario, legally and personally. "
Abstract This paper states that given that less than half of all reported rapes are successfully prosecuted, not to mention the untold number of rapes never reported at all, it is obvious that society's rapists feel somewhat secure in their ambition to cause physical and certainly sexual harm to their victims. This paper examines who the rapists are and, to some degree, their motivations. It also discusses the violence-prone American society, and some of the literature which is available on the subject.
Outline
Introduction
Who are the Rapists? Who are the Victims?
Current Literature
New Research and Rape Information
Conclusion
From the Paper "There is another specter looming over research and statistics about rape: AIDS. There are no conclusive figures, and no research that has yet reached the public concerning the transmittal of AIDS from an assailant (who may have raped before). Of course, current studies show that AIDS is on the increase among teen-agers, especially homosexual teen-agers who practice unsafe sex, which means that, in general, this "It can't affect me!" attitude is just as prevalent among straight teens. There are no books currently available which stress the connection between rape and AIDS, although many police departments, when they collect physical evidence often do an AIDS test."
This paper examines the current laws regarding statutory rape while stressing the need for stricter implementation and enforcement of these same laws which prohibit sexual relations between adults and minors.
Abstract This paper discusses the growing problem of teenage pregnancies in America, which, can, in some part, be attributed to sexual relationships between minor females and adult men. The writer of this paper examines the argument, which states that enforcing these rape laws will result in a reduction of teenage pregnancy rates. The writer contends that if teen pregnancy rates are reduced, the existing burden on the welfare system will be substantially relieved as a result. This paper explores the current statutory rape laws, in which relations between adults and minors are referred to as rape, sexual abuse and unlawful sexual conduct. The seriousness of the charges vary, based on the age of the victim, or the span of years between the victim and the perpetrator. This paper explores the strategies of various states, such as Delaware and California, that are leveling civil penalties against the perpetrators of crimes against minors.
From the Paper "While all states currently have laws forbidding sexual activity between adults and minors, the variation in laws and application are enormous. The relations between adults and minors are referred to as rape, sexual abuse, unlawful sexual conduct and other epithets. The seriousness of the charge can vary, based on the age of the victim, or the span of years between the victim and the perpetrator. It should also be noted that most of these laws are not gender neutral and are usually applied solely to young women and girls. Even so, the laws are notoriously difficult to prosecute. The women involved are often, understandably, unwilling to give testimony against their partner. Several states are looking to recoup the cost of the teenaged pregnancy to the social service system by leveling civil penalties against the perpetrator."
Tags:rape, sex, child, abuse, adult, crime, law, minor
Abstract Rape is a dehumanizing violation surrounded by many myths and theories. This paper exposes the myths surrounding the different types of rape, explains the varied characteristics of both the offender and the victim, and investigates the reasons why rape is the crime most likely to be concealed.
From the Paper "In learning crime statistics and patterns of the criminal justice system, one will come to realize that numerous crimes, ranging from minor to major offenses, go unreported mainly due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of faith in the justice system. One crime, characterized by violence and control, which goes by unreported about eighty-five percent of the time, is rape (Rape Facts II). Rape is a dehumanizing violation surrounded by many myths and theories."
Abstract This paper explores the broad implications of rape and its affect on society as a whole. It looks at how violence against women is flagrant in video games, where women appear as huge-breasted cartoons posed in impossibly suggestive postures, and how our media sensationalizes sex crimes, rapes, murders, and the like, with stylized headlines and flashy commentary. It shows how, as a society, we are traumatized because there are no clear definitions of what rape is, who the victim is, and what the moral boundaries of sexual behavior are.
From the Paper "How does rape affect us? "Rape is a trauma just like a major disaster such as a tornado or bad car accident" (Koss and Harvey, 173 ). If rape inflicts trauma on society, then why does it continue? "At present, as we enter the third millennium and women have made great social strides and obtained legal rights equal to those of men, they continue nevertheless to be portrayed by media advertising and pornographic literature as objects of desire and lust" (Palermo and Farkas, 40). Our morality is changing. In 1939 the movie "Gone With The Wind" the producers took a terrible chance and allowed its lead actor to utter the word damn. In 2003 it is common to hear the word damn on primetime television or read that its utterance as attributed to national leaders."
Abstract This paper provides a review of relevant scholarly books, government documents and statistics to determine the evolution of marital rape laws. It discusses why they are of importance and how the victim currently suffers and may continue to suffer through the criminal justice system. It then suggests what punishment can reasonably be expected to be meted out to marital rape offenders. The paper concludes with salient recommendations concerning improvements that should be made to already existing laws.
Table of Contents:
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Incidence and Types of Marital Rape Today
Current and Future Trends
Conclusion
From the Paper "As noted above, some states have already done away with the marital rape exemption and continuing developments in American law have diminished the concepts on which the common law rule was based. These trends have also raised the issue of whether the marital rape exemption retains any validity in the 21st century. Unfortunately, Friedelbaum emphasizes that a number of courts and legal observers have advanced justifications for retaining the marital rape exemption. According to this author, "These justifications have been based on concerns that the abolition of a husband's immunity would lead to serious abuses of the law, would cause insurmountable evidentiary problems, would lead to fabricated charges, would encourage vindictive wives to use rape charges for revenge, and would thwart the reconciliation of estranged couples" (Friedelbaum 51)."
