NCJ Number
46308
Journal
Reader's Digest Volume: 104 Dated: (MARCH 1974) Pages: 198-199,201-209 204
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A HYPOTHETICAL CASE STUDY IS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE EFFECTS OF RAPE AND ITS AFTERMATH ON THE VICTIM IN AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRIME OF RAPE.
Abstract
THE VICTIM'S EXPERIENCES ARE TRACED FROM THE RAPE INCIDENT, THROUGH THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH, MEDICAL EXAMINATION, QUESTIONING BY POLICE AND PROSECUTOR, AND THE TRIAL. STATISTICS ON RAPE, ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS, AND ON DISPOSITION OF RAPE CASES ARE REVIEWED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT, IN 1972, ONLY ONE REPORTED RAPE IN SEVEN ENDED IN A CONVICTION. WAYS IN WHICH POLICE, HOSPITALS, AND THE COURTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE RAPE VICTIM'S SUFFERING ARE NOTED. EXAMPLES OF POLICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MAKE QUESTIONING LESS TRAUMATIC FOR RAPE VICTIMS, HOSPITAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT ASSURING CONTINUITY OF THE RAPE PATIENT'S CARE, AND WOMEN'S ANTIRAPE GROUPS ARE CITED. THE NEED TO REEXAMINE LAWS ON RAPE -- PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT MAKE PUNISHMENT FOR RAPE SO SEVERE THAT MANY JURIES ARE RELUCTANT TO FIND DEFENDANTS GUILTY SOLELY ON THE TESTIMONY OF THE VICTIM AND A DOCTOR -- IS NOTED. GUIDELINES FOR AVOIDING RAPE ARE OFFERED. (LKM)