NCJ Number
43431
Date Published
1977
Length
299 pages
Annotation
LEGAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE SEXUAL ACTIVITIES NOW ILLEGAL IN AMERICA, AND SURVEY IS MADE OF THE INCIDENCE AND SERIOUSNESS OF EACH OFFENSE, CURRENT STATUTES, AND RECOMMENDED REFORMS.
Abstract
FORCIBLE RAPE, SEX BETWEEN ADULTS AND MINORS, PROSTITUTION, HOMOSEXUALITY, PORNOGRAPHY, OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC ORDER, AND SUCH PATHOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR AS VOYEURISM AND FETISHISM ARE EXAMINED. LAWS AGAINST THESE PRACTICES DIFFER FROM STATE TO STATE AND COURT RULINGS VARY WIDELY AMONG JURISDICTIONS. TO FURTHER COMPLICATE THE ISSUE, CHANGES IN SOCIAL NORMS HAVE LED TO UNEVEN ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND AGITATION FOR CHANGE. THE STATUS OF THE LAW FOR EACH OF THE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF ILLEGAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY IS GIVEN. THE SERIOUSNESS OF THESE OFFENSES, RATED ON A SCALE WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT PRESENCE OF FORCE AND DEGREE OF CONSENT, RANGES FROM RAPE, ATTEMPTED RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CHILD MOLESTATION AT THE TOP OF THE SCALE TO CONSENSUAL HOMOSEXUALITY AND OTHER PRIVATE ACTS AT THE BOTTOM. RECENT RESEARCH INVOLVING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE, POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION, AND BEST METHODS OF HANDLING OFFENDERS IS SUMMARIZED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PRIVATE OFFENSES WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTRICT BE DECRIMINALIZED AND THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES BE CONCENTRATED ON THOSE SEXUAL ACTS WHICH PRESENT A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE LIFE OR WELL-BEING OF AN INNOCENT VICTIM. APPENDICES INCLUDE A GLOSSARY, A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND A DETAILED INDEX.