Rape is a painful topic; a violent act. A 4-letter word that sounds evil. Perpetrators uniformly deny it and victims typically don't discuss it. You'd almost think it never happens. In reality, it happens a lot (see below).
Prior to 1927 there were no laws on the books about rape, and no updated laws existed until January 5, 2011. Women and men both need to know that the U.S. Attorney General recently announced a revised definition of rape so that it can be more accurately reported and prosecuted. As a woman's health expert who spent nearly 20 years at Harvard, it saddens me to say how many women I've cared for who have been raped. I hope it never happens to you or your loved ones; but if it does, now you can prosecute offenders and you're more likely to get justice.
Here's how the new law differs from the old one. In 1927, "Forcible rape" had been defined by the UCR SRS (Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Summary Reporting System (SRS) the "national report card") as "the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will." That means a man forces vaginal sex with a woman. It left a lot to be determined; required an immediate visit to the doctor to look for sperm in the woman's vagina as well as any signs of trauma. There was no law for a woman raping a man or a man raping a child. During my on call training, many nights I was asked to examine women for alleged rape, and the details that I carefully wrote in the hospital records had a great impact on whether or not an alleged rapist was convicted.
Here's how the new law describes rape: "The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim."
So one person forcing an object (animate or inanimate) into another person is rape.
Susan B. Carbon, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, states, "For the first time ever, the new definition includes any gender of victim and perpetrator, not just women being raped by men. It also recognizes that rape with an object can be as traumatic as penile/vaginal rape. This definition also includes instances in which the victim is unable to give consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity."
How common is it? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 6 women report that they have either been raped or an attempt has been made to rape them in their lifetime. The first time for 60% of these women was before age 18. Tell your daughters. The February 2012 issue of the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology (2012;119:412-7) estimates that more than 1 in 3 women (36%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner at some point during their lives.
What is it? Sexual violence is any sexual activity for which you do not freely give consent. That includes both sex against your will and sex that happens when you cannot freely give your consent. If you have been drinking and pass out, and wake up to suddenly find a man having sex with you, it is rape. If a man has sex with a woman who is under the influence, it is rape. Think of it like this, if you are under the influence, you cannot sign a consent form for a medical procedure, and you cannot give consent for a sexual act, either. Tell your sons; getting a girl drunk or high to have sex with her may now land him in jail or at least in court.
Rape is more than unwanted sex. It's an act of violence and it's a crime.
Who commits it? Unfortunately, all kinds of people; a current or former intimate partner; a family member, friend, or acquaintance; a person in a position of power or trust, or a stranger. According to the CDC, in a nationally representative survey that looked at the first rape experience of female victims, perpetrators were reported to be intimate partners (30.4%), family members (23.7%), and acquaintances (20%). This means that the victims knew over 74% of the perpetrators. Remind yourself; keep your antennae up.
What are the risks? I divide the risks into short-term: getting pregnant (for women), acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, or being injured; and long-term risks that can affect your physical or emotional health:
? Chronic pain
? Headaches
? Fear and anxiety
? Problems trusting others
? Anger and stress
? Eating disorders
? Depression
? Suicidal thoughts
What can I do to prevent it?
? Avoid using excessive amounts of alcohol and drugs. It interferes with clear thinking.
? Be aware of your surroundings. Be cautious and alert.
? Try to walk in groups rather than alone, especially at night.
? Take a self-defense class.
? Lock all doors to your car and residence at all times.
? Believe in your right to set limits that match your sexual desires and limits.
? State your limits clearly and loudly and say "NO" if necessary.
? Yell "Fire" or carry a whistle and blow it. It attracts people's attention.
? If the rapist is unarmed, fight back, shout "NO" and run away as soon as possible.
? If the rapist is armed, try to talk him out of continuing the assault or resist passively by pretending to faint, vomit or urinate
What do I do in case of rape?
? Go to a safe place and call a friend or family member to be with you.
? Take some slow deep breaths and realize that what happened is wrong, it's not your fault and that you have value.
? Call the police; rape is a crime.
? Do not bathe, douche or change clothes.
? If you choose not to contact the police, go to a hospital emergency department to be checked. You are not required to report to police in order to get medical care.
? Write down as much as you can remember about what happened and the person who did it while it is most fresh in your mind.
? Contact a rape treatment center. A counselor there can be of great help.
? I offer patients who have been abused a private phone to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE [7233]) because abusers often monitor cell phone logs or Internet use.
For more information on important health issues, visit my website at www.DoctorSeibel.com or click here for a FREE Ebook on my top 10 Stress Busters.
Resources:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/January/12-ag-018.html
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SexualViolence/?source=govdelivery
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mache-seibel-md/rape-definition_b_1289458.html
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