NCJ Number
58014
Journal
HAWAII MEDICAL JOURNAL Volume: 36 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 385-391
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE INCIDENCE OF SEX ABUSE OFFENSES ON OAHU AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIMS, THEIR NEEDS, AND CURRENTLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE DATA PRESENTED WERE OBTAINED FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STATISTICAL REPORTS FOR 1972, 1973, 1974, AND 1975, AND FROM OTHER DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION. THE TERM 'SEX ABUSE' REFERS TO THE OFFENSES OF RAPE, SODOMY, INCEST, MOLESTATION, AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. A TOTAL OF 164 RAPES WERE REPORTED IN 1975, BUT IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FOUR TIMES AS MANY OFFENSES OCCURRED, AS RAPE IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED CRIMES. THE AGE DISTRIBUTION OF VICTIMS IS 71 PERCENT BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 26. THE YOUNGEST REPORTED VICTIM DURING THIS PERIOD WAS 10 YEARS OF AGE AND THE OLDEST WAS 80 YEARS. THE MAJOR FACILITY AVAILABLE FOR TREATMENT OF VICTIMS IS THE SEX ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER (SATC); THIS IS THE ONLY FACILITY IN THE ENTIRE STATE WHICH HAS SPECIALIZED SERVICES AIMED AT MEETING THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF SEX ABUSE. A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN RAPED MAY EITHER CALL THE SATC, THE POLICE, THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS CENTER, OR THE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATION WOMEN AGAINST RAPE. THE POLICE RAPE SQUAD WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IF THEY THINK THEY HAVE A CASE, THE VICTIM WILL BE SENT TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND QUESTIONED. AN ACCUSED RAPIST HAS THE OPTION OF CHOOSING TO BE TRIED BY A JURY OR JUDGE; THE FORMER IS USUALLY ELECTED. VERY FEW RAPE TRIALS RESULT IN CONVITIONS. OF 21 MEN WHO WERE PROSECUTED FOR RAPE ON OAHU IN 1975, ONLY THREE WERE CONVICTED. RAPE VICTIMS MUST BE TREATED FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED, THEY SHOULD HAVE PELVIC EXAMINATIONS, DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, AND TREATMENT WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE RAPE. THIS MAY INCLUDE VD TREATMENT AND PREGNANCY PROPHYLAXIS. IN ORDER TO COLLECT LEGALLY ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE, SEMEN AND SPERM SPECIMENS MUST BE COLLECTED. EXTENSIVE COUNSELING SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE VICTIM TO HELP HER DEAL WITH THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA CAUSED BY THE RAPE. THE ATTITUDES OF THE HEALTH PROFESSION TOWARD RAPE VICTIMS IS KNOWN TO BE HOSTILE. PHYSICIANS ARE OFTEN UNWILLING TO GET INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WISH TO APPEAR IN COURT. THE ATTITUDES OF WOMEN THEMSELVES NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THERE IS A STIGMA ATTACHED TO RAPE WHICH LEADS PEOPLE TO ASSUME THAT THE RAPE VICTIM HAD BEEN STUPID OR CARELESS. IN ORDER FOR THE PROBLEM OF RAPE TO BE CONFRONTED, SOCIALLY ACCEPTED NORMS OF MALE AGGRESSION AND FEMALE PASSIVITY MUST BE CHANGED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)