US Government Changes Definition of Rape
The federal government of the United States has expanded its definition of rape. This now includes men for the first time when counting the number of victims, according to an announcement by the Obama administration on Friday. The expanded definition, which supporters say is most certainly overdue, is important because policymakers and lawmakers use crime statistics to allocate federal resources for prevention and victim assistance.
Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett called the change a “very, very important step” because it includes men and because if includes rapes of women other than by physical force. The FBI has previously defined rape as the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will. The new definition replaces the 83 year old definition and covers any gender of victim or attacker and includes instances in which victim is incapable of giving consent due to the influence of drugs, alcohol or because of age. There is no longer a physical resistance requirement. The new law does not change federal or state laws or alter prosecutions.
Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement that “rape is a devastating crime, and we can't solve it unless we know the full extend of it.” He went on to say that the new definition is a victory for women and men “whose suffering has gone unaccounted for over 80 years.”
The federal government says that one in five women and one in 71 men are rape victims.
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