NCJ Number
56311
Date Published
1978
Length
279 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXAMINES THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF RAPE AND FOCUSES ON THE FAILURE OF THE SOCIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH VICTIMS HUMANELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
Abstract
RELYING HEAVILY ON FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF RAPE VICTIMS, IT IS A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY RAPE. PERSONAL REACTIONS THEY MAY EXPECT RANGE FROM THE INITIAL SHOCK, SHAME, FEAR, AND LONG-LASTING ANXIETY TO INSOMNIA AND LOSS OF APPETITE. EMPHASIZING THE INSENSITIVITY MANY RAPE VICTIMS ENCOUNTER FROM THE POLICE, EXAMINING MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND PROSECUTING AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, THE TEXT DISCUSSES THE INITIAL POLICE INTERVIEW, MEDICAL TREATMENT INCLUDING COLLECTING EVIDENCE AND EXAMINING FOR VENEREAL DISEASE AND PREGNANCY, AND PROCEDURES VICTIMS MUST GO THROUGH TO PRESS CHARGES AND EVENTUALLY TESTIFY. THEN THE DISCUSSION MOVES TO NONLEGAL AGENCIES AND TREATMENT CENTERS FOR VICTIMS. MORE THAN 200 COMMUNITY-BASED CRISIS CENTERS FOR RAPE VICTIMS THAT CONCENTRATE ON VICTIM SERVICES EXIST IN THE UNITED STATES. THE MAIN SERVICE OFFERED IS COUNSELING THE WOMAN CONCERNING BOTH HER REACTION TO THE CRIME AND HER LEGAL AND MEDICAL RIGHTS. THE CENTERS ALSO MAINTAIN REFERRAL LISTS FOR A VARIETY OF VICTIM NEEDS SUCH AS CHILD CARE AND TEMPORARY SHELTER. SOME CENTERS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY TO CHANGE POLICE AND HOSPITAL POLICIES REGARDING TREATMENT OF VICTIMS, AND SOME TRY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC CONCERNING THE EXTENT OF RAPE AND TO CHANGE ERRONEOUS BUT COMMON BELIEFS ABOUT RAPE. SOME ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR OBTAINING RESOLUTION TO A RAPE CRIME ARE SUGGESTED: DIRECT CONFRONTATION WITH THE OFFENDER IN A SETTING OF THE VICTIM'S CHOICE; SUING AN OFFENDER FOR DAMAGES IN A CIVIL SUIT; AND 'STREET SHEETING' OR POSTING DESCRIPTIONS IN PUBLIC AREAS OF THE OFFENDER, HIS APPROACH, AND HIS MANNER OF ATTACK. RAPE IS NOT A CRIME THAT AFFECTS WOMEN ONLY; THE VICTIM'S MALE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS MUST ALSO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE ASSAULT AND BOYS AND MEN HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY RAPE. A LIST OF REVISIONS OF STATE RAPE LAWS ARE APPENDED, AS WELL AS THE TEXT OF THE MICHIGAN SEXUAL ASSAULT STATUTE AND THE WASHINGTON RAPE LAW, THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RAPE LAWS IN THE COUNTRY. NOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. THE CHAPTER ON RAPE CRISIS CENTERS INCLUDES THE ADDRESSES OF THE CENTERS ALONG WITH THOSE OF SELECTED RAPE VICTIM ADVOCACY GROUPS AND CHAPTERS OF SUCH ORGANIZATIONS AS WOMEN AGAINST RAPE (WAR). (DAG)