Introduction: Rape and Sexual Assault Statistics

A 1987 study reports that 126 rapists had victimized 882 individuals, and while these numbers seem to shock the conscience, and rightfully so, most rape cases are not reported and thus will never be brought to the attention of the public or legal realms. In fact, nearly half of all females who are raped either tell only one other person or no one at all.

Moreover, of the small number of rape cases which are actually reported, less than half are successfully prosecuted, and only one out of sixteen rapists will ever serve time in jail.

Under-reporting is a problem most common among male victims and among women who are raped by someone they know. In fact, only 1/4 of rapes are committed by strangers, and victims are more likely to blame themselves for what happened when the perpetrator is an acquaintance or domestic partner.

Many rape and sexual assault victims are unaware of the fact that any form of non-consensual sexual behavior is deemed sexual assault in most jurisdictions, and they fear that they will be criticized for “crying wolf” if their own case is not considered serious enough. Sexual assault awareness campaigns and increased discussions on school campuses could alert actual and potential rape victims that indecent exposure, unwelcome physical contact, and other lascivious acts are all considered serious enough to constitute rape.

These programs likely would expel some victims’ hesitations about reporting incidents. Indeed, one of the most important challenges to be overcome by both victims and law enforcement officers, in order to successfully combat the prevalence of rape, is the idea that many, or most, incidents reported are not “really rape”. If an individual has any question as to whether he or she was sexually abused, it may be wise to contact a sexual harassment lawyer in Orange County to discuss the issue further.

Rape is Treated Differently Than Other Felonies

Rape is the only crime which requires victims to explain that they did not wish to be targeted. However, while embarrassment and fear of punishment and public disclosure are the major qualms keeping victims from reporting, courts and the California and Federal Rules of Evidence seem to be in tune with these concerns and have taken to adjusting the procedures for litigating rape cases accordingly.

For instance, in all civil or criminal proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct, evidence offered as proof of the victim’s sexual behavior or disposition is generally inadmissible. In fact, a victim’s sexual temperament is admissible only to prove that someone other than the defendant is the source of the semen or injury, and specific instances of a sexual nature, which have occurred between the victim and the defendant, are admissible by the prosecution, and oftentimes by the defense solely to prove consent.

In addition to addressing the peculiarities and fragilities of rape cases in court procedures, the U.S.currently holds the world record for its annual number of rape convictions. However, this is far from a title worth celebrating when one considers the statistics, mentioned above. Further, while the UN Security Council, in 2008, unanimously decided to categorize rape as a weapon of war, focusing much needed and deserved worldwide attention on the rape endemic, the Islamic religion still condones the sexual assault of female family members as punishment for their male relatives’ disobedience, and Latin American women are raped for attempting to challenge the country’s machismo way of life.

Although rape is not tolerated in the U.S., police practices do prioritize homicides over other crimes, and certain facets of the rape and sexual assault problem remain uniform throughout the world: sexual misconduct leads to suicide, substance abuse, unwanted and complicated pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Conclusion

It is important to stress the fact that coming forward to report a sexual assault or rape case is not only a personal victory, but rather a societal one. Not only will reporting prove better for a victim’s overall and long-term well-being, allowing him or her to obtain the proper medical attention and psychological counseling, reporting sexual misconduct will solve public safety issues and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their deplorable acts. One step that sexual assault and rape victims can take is to consult a sexual harassment lawyer in Orange County to discuss their case and to hopefully obtain the justice they deserve. Diefer Law Group has a host of lawyers ready to take on any sexual harassment case, no matter what the magnitude is.