NCJ Number
105039
Date Published
1986
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the legal problems of rape and examines the reasons why rape law reform has progressed in some countries, but not in other countries.
Abstract
The legal problems surrounding the issue of rape include the traumatic event itself and its subsequent handling by police and courts, the low reporting rate of rape, the infrequent prosecution and conviction rate, and the problems associated with proving that the woman was raped and did not consent to the act. The findings reveal that women played a major role in the State of Michigan and in Canada in obtaining radical rape reform. Women in Australia have actively and successfully campaigned against outdated rape laws and retrogressive proposals for reform. England has seen little movement to change rape legislation. It is believed that both the lack of strong academic support for rape law reform and the absence of a powerful women's movement directed toward initiating rape law reform has contributed to the lack of reform in England. It is concluded that unless women become actively involved in battling legal changes to improve rape laws, there will be little progress in protecting the rights of women.