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Feds undercounting rape victims

Since rape has been a hot topic as of late I thought I'd post this article. You know it's got to be real bad when Arlen Specter is now one of the few speaking out against rape.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/14/rape.stats.questioned/index.htm...

Take special note of these statements:

"Incidents would be reported to the police department, (where) the special victim's unit would review it and, instead of a thorough investigation ... refile it into a non-criminal category," Tracy said. "It was an unwritten rule to keep the crime (rate) down."

By reclassifying the complaints, Tracy said, the police also removed the burden of having to report the crime to the FBI.

Along with the talk of successes and potential solutions, rape survivors shared stories of pain and frustration. Sara Reedy spoke of facing a skeptical police detective after her sexual assault. First the police detective questioned her account, she testified, and later arrested her for a theft that occurred during the course of her attack.

Thirteen months after the assault, a serial rapist confessed to 12 assaults, including Reedy's. Only then, was she cleared of the theft charge. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, called her story "simply horrific."

The senators also expressed dismay about how police in several major cities are reportedly handling rape crimes. Cardin specifically brought up Baltimore, Maryland, which he said has the highest rate of rape cases deemed false or baseless.

"This generally means you don't believe the victim." he said.

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Permalink Reply by TByte on February 8, 2011 at 7:39am

Yes, as the article points out several times, it is unconscionable that male rapes are completely excluded from the statistic. If "Men account for roughly 10 percent of victims in the United States" (probably a low estimate), then the rate rape is being seriously under-reported.

We should all demand that the victimization of men be given equal concern as the victimization of women.

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on February 15, 2011 at 8:42pm

Does rape of males somehow make rape of females any less unacceptable or less traumatic?

The article discusses male rape victims quite a lot. Even in this particular post, where is the implication that rape happens exclusively to women?

And actually I agree with what you are saying about male rape, and its marginalization has everything to do with sexism (men have to be in control, men always consent to sex, etc) but it still looks like you are here to be argumentative, and you are implying that female rape shouldn't be taken seriously because male rape isn't.

(How so? You said that females lie, "frequently" about rape. Are you equally skeptical of males who claim they were raped?)

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on February 15, 2011 at 9:02pm

(How so? You said that females lie, "frequently" about rape. Are you equally skeptical of males who claim they were raped?)

Hmm, there is one detail to this which would affect the percentage of men who lie about being raped. Barring statutory rape, men are generally raped by other men, right? I don't see men having the same motivation to lie about a consensual sexual encounter, after the fact.

Essentially, isn't it usually the male who emotionally lures a woman into sex, then chucks her the next day and stops answering her calls? I just don't see the same motivation for revenge claims of rape, for emotional abuse, from the male side of things. Besides, most men would assume that the police would just laugh them off, if told that a woman raped them, I think.

From everything I've heard from gay men (I have several gay friends/acquaintances), they're more relaxed about hookups and are less likely to feel bad if someone doesn't call the next day, or whatever. I would think that makes the revenge, rape-report scenario less likely.

Aren't most rapes of males essentially heterosexual men who were raped by other men? I can see some wiggle room in there for men who are caught having a gay relationship on the side, when they're forced into a purely heterosexual relationship by their religion.

Either way, it's quite possible to get false rape claims by men, but I think the numbers would be far lower. I dunno. Thoughts?

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on February 16, 2011 at 8:58am

I was actually thinking about men raped by women in some of what I was saying, especially the part about "that's impossible because men can't not consent to sex with a woman". But it applies to men/men too. Your reasoning of why men are less likely to lie is understandable, however it could have implications of a man having a lower burden of proof (including unofficially), based on gender stereotypes of what "usually" happens. Lots of unusual things happen in the world and there are plenty of exceptions to gender stereotypes. Maybe a stalker, or erotomaniac, or a man who is so insulted at getting dumped by a woman would make such an accusation, or a guy who has a rivalry with another guy, or an extreme gay-hater who for whatever reason has to be in close quarters with a gay guy and just can't stand it, or, as you said, someone on the down low.

Permalink Reply by TByte on February 16, 2011 at 9:02am

Yes, both statistics and explanations are conjecture without any studies. However, in the absence of research, I have to fall back on the fact that I frequently see cases in the news where a woman has falsely accused a man of rape or sexual assault. I'm not aware of any actual cases of the reverse occurring.

Permalink Reply by Oryx on February 16, 2011 at 10:39am

Which is insignificant in the face of number of actual rapes. Plus many 'false accusations' are merely mistaken identity in a lineup, probably because their faces were covered, were brutally attacked, etc, and were still actually raped.

Permalink Reply by TByte on February 16, 2011 at 2:06pm

Had you bothered to actually review the research I cited (Kamin's), you would have seen that he only counted cases where the accuser actually recanted her story, and admitted she had lied. He did NOT count those where there was no evidence, but the accuser stuck to her story. He did NOT count those that were cases of mistaken identity.

In general, it is better to know, than to guess. So check your facts before posting next time.

Permalink Reply by Oryx on February 16, 2011 at 7:05pm

I can't see you citing anything in this thread, I must be missing it. I was responding to your hearsay of "I frequently see cases in the news..." line. I have no idea how I can check that "fact".

Permalink Reply by TByte on February 16, 2011 at 7:14pm

Honestly, is this really that difficult for you? Are you completely incapable of performing a simple google search?

Sigh. Another 60 seconds of my time wasted. I should start billing you.

http://www.google.com/search?q=false+rape&hl=en&client=fire...

Meanwhile, still waiting for any evidence from you on the issues I have challenged you to support....

Permalink Reply by Oryx on February 16, 2011 at 8:08pm

I'm supposed to try to pick and choose random lined from your comments to google? But you expect everyone else to supply references? What are you talking about. Let me guess, something about men getting raped or falsely accused of rape?

Permalink Reply by TByte on February 16, 2011 at 8:47pm

Your quote: "'I have no idea how I can check that 'fact'."
My response: http://www.google.com/search?q=false+rape&hl=en&client=fire...
It seems to me that I gave you a direct answer as to how you can check that fact. Or did you want me to come over and hold your hand while you click on the links?
Seriously Oryx, you are now becoming intentionally obtuse and petulant. This discussion is quickly going to degrade to the same point which caused the other threads to be locked shortly after you joined in.

I would still be willing to have a civil discussion with you, if you will change your attitude and starting exerting a modicum of effort.

Permalink Reply by TByte on February 16, 2011 at 10:05pm

By the way, please look up the definition of "hearsay". I don't think you understand the term correctly. Me, relating my direct experience, cannot qualify as hearsay.
Perhaps not as embarrassing an error as your "tow the line" gaff with Joseph P, but still...learn a little something new every day, right!?