NCJ Number
97301
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A historic review of the antirape movement indicates that current efforts and programs to deal with sexual assault victims date from 1967-72, when consciousness-raising groups were organizing a strong grassroots network.
Abstract
In these groups, women victims described their experiences of sexual assault. The awareness grew that the policies and practices of the helping systems and criminal justice systems did not work for victims. In 1971, the New York Radical Feminists sponsored the first 'Speak Out on Rape.' Small protest groups began forming throughout the country, usually after a rape or series of rapes in local communities. From these groups, the antirape movement emerged, and rape crisis centers were organized. In February 1973, the National Organization for Women (NOW) established the National Task Force on Rape and specified its short-term goals. From 1974 to 1977, a gap in nationwide communications occurred, because NOW dropped its rape task force efforts to focus on the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1977, the National Organization for Victim Assistance conference led to the formation of a new national organization, the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault. By 1983, it included more than 300 centers and many individuals dedicated to rape crisis advocacy. The coalition now provides a network and a new means for influencing public policy. The organization has succeeded in securing Federal funding for rape crisis centers and Federal legislation pertaining to rape victims' and witnesses' needs. Although the form of the antirape movement has changed over the years, it continues and has succeeded in generating public awareness of the need for reform in dealing with victims and offenders that may prove to be the most important social change of all. Seven references are listed.