Common law recognized sexual offenses as rape and sodomy. Rape was
limited to intentional, forced, non- consensual, heterosexual vaginal
penetration. Sodomy was anal penetration between two men. Modern courts relaxed
the definition of rape, and sexual assault or criminal sexual conduct
The vast
majority of of rape victims are raped by men they know
and this brought about reformation to the elements of rape
~aggravated rape
rape
by strangers or men with weapons who physically
injure their victims
~Unarmed acquaintance rape
non-consensual sex
between dates, lovers, neighbors, co-workers, employees, etc.
Positive—The judicial criminal system handles the
aggravated rape cases very well.
Negative—When it comes to the Unarmed Acquaintance Rape,
it is harder to put a handle on for the following reasons:
- Victims tend not to report, or they do not recognize the elements of “rape” occurred.
- Police are less likely to believe these reports
- Prosecutors are less likely to charge for these types of “rape”
- Convictions by juries are less likely
- If a victim does not follow the rules of middle-class morality, the rapist is likely to not be punished