Sex Crimes

Rape, as defined by the Uniform Crime Reporting Program in 2011, is “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.” This differs from the previous definition of rape, “first established in 1927, ‘the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.’ It thus included only forcible male penile

Although the definition of rape is narrower than the definition of sexual assault, both terms are used interchangeably here. Rape is defined as penetration by body parts or objects, whereas sexual assault includes other unwanted sexual contact. In both cases, the contact is happens without the consent of the victim, even if they are incapacitated by drugs or alcohol (Gray, 2014).

Rape is a violent crime that involves forcing sexual acts on a person. Sexual assault is a serious problem and should be stopped. It can happen to anyone: no one is safe. Every one out of six Americans are raped each year. This includes men,women,and children. Some people believe that rape isn’t a prominent problem, but statistics show it occurs more frequently than we could ever imagine.

     Sexual assault is a term that is used interchangeably with the word rape. The decision on whether or not to use the term rape or sexual assault is made by a state’s jurisdiction. Sexual assault is more readily used in an attempt to be more gender neutral (National Victim Center). Sexual assault can be most easily described as forced or unconsentual sexual intercourse. The individual that is performing these acts on the victim may either be a stranger or an acquaintance. In 1994, 64.2 percent of all rapes were committed by someone the offender had previously known (Ringel, 1997). Regardless, this type of crime can have extreme effects on the victim.

Sexual Assault described in technical terms is defined as any sort of sexual activity between two or more people in which one of the people involved is involved against his or her will. (3) The description of "against his or her will" extends to varying degrees of aggression, ranging from indirect pressure to a direct physical attack. While sexual assaults are associated with the crime of rape, it may cover assaults which would not be considered rape. What constitutes a sexual assault is determined by the laws of the jurisdiction where the assault takes place, which vary considerably, and are influenced by local social and cultural attitudes. Every year, an estimated 300,000 women are raped and 3.7 million are confronted with unwanted

There are multiple categories of rape; date rape, statutory rape, and aggravated rape. Date rape is when you are raped by someone you know, like a boyfriend or family member. Statutory rape is when you consented to having sex with someone, but you are underaged and are illegally having intercourse. Aggravated rape is the act of forcing someone into having sex and or forcing body parts or objects into their genital, oral, or anal regions.

For many people the term sex offender brings up extreme emotions. However, it is the nature of the crime that needs to be considered before the label. The laws and punishments that are enforced during and after prison varies by where the offender lives and the severity of the crime. But, there is much more that needs to be considered.

* Sexual Assault – this involves sexual contact with another without their consent. Even when consent has been given, sexual assault can also occur. If a person over 16 has intercourse with a person under 16 they can be charged with sexual assault (statutory rape). This also occurs if a person is drugged/drunk for the purpose of having sex with them. Aggravated sexual assault comes with a longer sentence, because of the use of force.

“Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.” (Unknown, 2016)

Rape can be defined as being unlawful and unconsented vaginal or anal penetration. The source of penetration varies and includes penetration by using the finger, penis, or objects and can be penetrated into the mouth or the anus. The American Heritage college dictionary definition of rape, page 740 is “a sexual act committed by force especially on a woman”.

In Massachusetts alone, there were “2,337 unduplicated incidents of sexual assaults reported to rape crisis centers in Massachusetts between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. 1in 8 adolescent girls will be forcibly raped. 50% will experience long-term mental distress. 44% will experience a second assault in her lifetime. 78% will be acquaintances or relatives. Strangers assault 22%. 16% will report to the police. 1% of the offenders are sentenced to less than one year in jail” ("Sexual Assault Statistics,"

Statutory rape refers to sexual relations involving someone below the "age of consent." People below the age of consent cannot legally consent to having sex. This means that sex with them, by definition, violates the law.

The most severe form of sexual offense is rape. The state of Massachusetts defines rape as the penetration of any bodily orifice without consent and with force or threat of force. Over 50 percent of reported rapes were committed by people who the victims knew well. In addition, seven percent of rape victims are male.

What is rape, and to whom does it happen? Generally speaking, rape is a violent sexual act imposed on a nonconsenting partner that makes you question many things about yourself. Unfortunately the mythology usually surrounding rape is that it only happens to women. The fact is, rape does not only happen to women, but men as well. It is one of the most misunderstood of all crimes, and when the victim is male, understanding why it has happened, is one of the hardest things to comprehend.

     Webster’s Dictionary describes rape as the crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse. Rape is a crime in which most women cannot defend themselves. The fear of rape plagues every woman at some point or another in her life. The traumatic effects of rape vary from mild to severe, from psychological to physical. This paper will evaluate rape, as well as the effects it has on women, the theory behind male dominance and patriarchy, and differences in demographics.