Introduction xvii Both within the United States and in other parts of the world, many believe that prisoners do not deserve assistance, or that rape might even be an appropri- ate punishment for their crimes. However, when those prisoners are released, they bring their trauma back into the world and into their homes. Sexual trauma, both physical and emotional, may make it difficult for ex-prisoners to adjust to life outside of prison. In addition, shame may keep them from telling sexual partners about their sexual assaults, thus exposing the partners to sexu- ally transmitted diseases. Including all victims of rape, female and male, has been an important goal of recent laws and studies. From 1927 until 2012, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report defined forcible rape as “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” In 2013, a new, broader definition was put into place, and it allows for victims and perpetrators to be of any gender: “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 vic- tim” (Federal Bureau of Investigation 2013). Studies indicate that most rapes are committed by a person known to the victim. Only 28 percent of rapes are committed by a stranger, while acquain- tances commit 45 percent of rapes, and 25 percent are committed by current or former boyfriends, girlfriends, or spouses (The remaining percent are non- spouse relatives, more than one person, or someone the victim cannot remem- ber.) (Perpetrators of Sexual Violence: Statistics 2017). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that teen dat- ing violence—also known by such terms as relationship abuse, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence—is a widespread problem. It includes stalking and harassment, and it may take place in person or electronically. In a 2013 national survey of high-school students, 10 percent reported that they had been physically assaulted and 10 percent had experienced sexual victimiza- tion from a dating partner within the previous year. Studies indicate that teens who experience sexual victimization are often at risk for experiencing it again. Often, they are afraid to tell their families or friends about what has happened, and the teens may experience depression and anxiety, may begin abusing drugs or alcohol or engaging in other unhealthy behaviors, and may have thoughts of suicide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention n.d.). Despite these statistics, the typical image of a rapist in popular culture is of someone unknown to the victim. Many people still consider acquaintance rape, date rape, and spousal rape to be lesser or insignificant crimes. Missouri representative Todd Akin was much maligned for his use of the term “legit- imate rape” in 2012. In addition, Akin said that pregnancy could not result from a rape, because “the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down” (Moore 2012). Despite the science and the evidence, Akin is not alone
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