NCJ Number
32797
Date Published
1976
Length
350 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF THE CAUSES, NATURE, AND EFFECTS OF RAPE IN AMERICA, AND OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF DEEPLY ROOTED PUBLIC ATTITUDES IN EFFECTIVELY AND JUSTLY DEALING WITH VICTIM AND OFFENDER.
Abstract
WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS VICTIMS ARE DISCUSSED. THE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING ATTACKS ARE BRIEFLY OUTLINED, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR AVOIDING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE POLICE ARE PRESENTED AS BEING SOMETIMES DILIGENT AND EFFECTIVE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO APPREHEND RAPISTS; OTHER TIMES CYNICAL AND CALLOUS IN THEIR TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IS SEEN AS OFTEN TIMES INADEQUATE IN ITS PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. JUDICIAL LAG IN COURTS AND THE LAW IS REFLECTED IN LOW CONVICTION RATES, EVEN IF THE RAPIST IS APPREHENDED. MISOGYNY IS SUGGESTED AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL DISINCLINATION TOWARD LAW REFORM. RAPISTS ARE CHARACTERIZED; MANY OF WHOM SUFFER FROM DEEP-SEATED PSYCHOPATHIC TENDENCIES WHICH THE CORRECTIONS PROCESS DOES LITTLE OR NOTHING TO TREAT. NASCENT PUBLIC ATTEMPTS TO CONFRONT THE RAPE PROBLEM, LARGELY THROUGH WOMENS GROUPS, CRISIS CENTERS, COUNSELING, AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, ARE SEEN AS THE BEGINNINGS OF A NEW AWARENESS AND CONSTRUCTIVENESS. RAPE STATISTICS ARE PRESENTED IN APPENDIXES.