18.3% of American women have been victims of rape or attempted rape at some time: study

Too high. We need to do better than this.

Rape is a horrible crime, but the fight against it is not helped when these studies come out using a definition of rape that almost no sensible person would use. If your husband or wife pressures you into sex when you really don't feel like it, they consider it rape. If a girl feels that she was taken advantage of after she had a few drinks which made her more promiscuous, they consider it rape. Diluting the meaning like that does nothing but drain resources and focus away from rape through force or intimidation - the definition most people use.

phenomenal stats, america. always the leader

If your husband or wife pressures you into sex when you really don't feel like it, they consider it rape

I dont see that definition in this study. It says "forced penetration or attempted forced penetration, or penetration whilsr handicapped under the influence of drink or drugs" - these definitions to me are rape. This is not a "come on honey, you know you want to really" scenario - it is using physical force against the victims will.

But I do take your point that some women will cry rape for the flimsiest of reasons which absolutely DOES take the focus off of genuine victims.

Why is the CDC involved in this. What or who is the disease?

define rape

A stat that is hardly reliable. In a country of 312 million, CDC surveyed every single adult female within the U.S? When ever a survey or statistics is taken like this, its always from a small sample of the population like 1000 or even 5000. You can't have such a small sample represent the the rest of the country. that 18% stat is just obviously wrong.

Megosa, being forced into sex after saying no or not giving permission to have sex (having sex with someone passed out who can't say no). I thought everyone knew that.

Agree the rate is too high.

Megosaa "iiyada" means no.

Another survey discovered that 9 out 0f 10 people enjoyed gang rape.

So many! American women really need guns to protect it. Understandable America is the highest rape crime country.

A terrible number and one that hopefully will drop. Has any large scale honest survey like this been done in Japan?

and 1 in 5 of these 1 in 5 have "been raped" aka woke up the next day after drinking and decided they regret what they did last night so it was rape....yet a man wakes up after the beer goggles have worn off and cannot do the same thing. Real rapes are a horrible crime....though not all reported are actually real.

The article says 10,000 were randomly called..and of that sample 18% had been raped..is that sufficient to assume the 100 million other females in the country would produce a similar figure ?? Bit of a reach..

I would say this is a very realistic number, given the definition of what we consider rape. The scenarios are very likely to occur, therefore I'm actually surprised the numbers are not higher...

Not really surprised at the figure and the USA don't lead by a wide margin.

Again as with many previous studies the scary part is that over 85-90% of rapes occur by family members, spouses and/or friends.

That is one thing that I see little in many rape-prevention courses, most prefer to teach on how to defend against an attacker that jumps out of the bushes vs the more subtle signs from people you know and trust.

Awww the old rape charge. How many innocent men are sitting in prison based on a woman's vanity?

What about the girls that lie? The one's that can't take rejection? They play the system so well.

Why is there no forensic evidence? No DNA tests?

Take Kobe Bryant. Accused of rape. Tests on that woman's underwear came up with a whole scroll of different semen types. Thank goodness for technology.

What about the dumb chick who tried to damage Justin Beiber's reputation? Her accusations alone threatened his life, career and current relationship. It wasn't rape but you can see what's possible if we allow medical technology to determine the truth.

The statue of limitations must be within 3 months for rape cases. Men are not protected enough by the law.

According to FBI’s website, the proposed new definition for rape 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.”

@kwatt

So many! American women really need guns to protect it. Understandable America is the highest rape crime country.

Actually, I think it is Korea and South Africa with the worst Rape stats in the world? If wrong, please someone educate me, Thank You.

@CactusJack

Thank you for the info..

NetNinja makes sense. Technology really has helped a lot of men, and women find the truth.

Rape goes both ways.

Yes, women lie about rape. Yes, it makes it worse for women who were actually raped. Just like the boy who cried wolf.

Statistics garnered by calling people on the phone are simply not accurate. There are some feminists that claim ALL SEX IS RAPE.

And no offense, but what constitutes "rape" today in America was called "courting" in every country in the past.

I would say that not one of us would be alive today had not one of our ancestors pushed himself beyond today's definition of rape.

I don't know if anyone have seen the film "Descent" with Rosario Dawson.. it shows how a rape victim goes through a series of steps, life changing situation, even revenge. Not that I condone the kind of revenge she took on her perpetrator but gosh, that film made me sick to my stomach, it was not only extremely graphic, but it felt so real. It's not nearly 50% accurate with what happens in real life, but it could give you a good idea of how rape victims have their lives shattered and broken. I think another one was "The Accused" with Jodie Foster..real life story and pretty graphic as well. Honestly, such films are really hard to watch. I wouldn't recommend anyone watching them unless you are seriously concerned with the subject...IMHO.

False rape reports should be SEVERELY punished I must add. It takes the credibility away from the REAL victims.

ParisTilton: "phenomenal stats, america. always the leader"

That's a bit much. If anything the US is the leader of people who speak out, for I have no doubt in my mind that it is the same or WORSE in nations like Japan, and FAR worse in delevoping nations and/or nations in which women are still considered inferior to men -- they are FAR less inclined to speak out about it because in many cases THEY will become the 'aggressors' or some other crap to diminish their claims, and the men will be protected. I can only imagine in countries like the African nation reported a few months ago where MASS gang rapes occurred with no punishment of the troops/people involved (Uganda?).

How many times on this site alone, for example, have people defending rapists by saying things like, "Well, she went to his house, so I don't know if I can call it rape" (as some people said on the Judo wrestler's rape thread).

More to the story itself, though, I'm not sure attempted rape and rape should be put in the same class of statistics any more than attempted murder and murder are. Both are of course very serious, but the end result is not the same. Regardless, even at 18 +%, and while I believe Western women are more inclined to report such incidents, these are only the REPORTED cases... there are still likely many that do go unreported.

Actually, I think it is Korea and South Africa with the worst Rape stats in the world? If wrong, please someone educate me, Thank You.

South African rape rates are insane. Don't know about Korea...

Good points, Smith..

I heard that some of the reason why rape victims in Japan avoid reporting rape to the police is because, apparently, the police themselves ask the victim to re-enact(physically) the way she was raped (the position too!) at the place where the crime happened..making her/him go through everything all over again with further humiliation. I'm not sure if they keep doing this, the police I mean.

The problem with any survey is the wording of the questions, and the choice of answers.

There is also a problem with the definition of rape. "without consent," for example means what? Does it mean the following conversation has to take place for sex not to be considered rape?

A: Shall we have sex? B: Yes, let's.

It is also important to note one of the key point regarding the perception of rape. what is perceived as rape by one party may not be perceived as rape by the other. this does not legitimize rape, but in the case of the above listed acts defined as rape especially between "intimate partners," it does lead to different perceptions. male/female differences in perception may be part of the problem.

taken to the nth degree, this means that my example conversation above does in fact have to become the norm. yeesh!

Yep, they should all pack heat and this will go away, er, someone will go away...

BlueWitch: "I heard that some of the reason why rape victims in Japan avoid reporting rape to the police is because, apparently, the police themselves ask the victim to re-enact(physically) the way she was raped (the position too!) at the place where the crime happened..making her/him go through everything all over again with further humiliation. I'm not sure if they keep doing this, the police I mean."

A very close female friend of mine (we dated a long time ago, in fact) was raped 6 or 7 years back and I went to the police station with her for support after I had to talk her into reporting it. The questions they asked her were utterly humiliating and the attitude disgusting. They asked about her sexual history; boyfriends, number of casual partners (not 'if any'), 'why it happened', etc. They even pointed to me and asked our relationship and gave us a very skeptical look when I said we were friends. Fortunately, my friend knew the guy (I didn't) and insisted police press charges after they spent the better part of a couple of hours trying to talk her out of it. When they said they would bring him in the next day or the day after to discuss it we left, and later she went back with her family. She told me that the man offered 500,000 yen in compensation money if she would not press charges, but fortunately she insisted.

Anyway, the point is how much effort it took and how shocking it was that at first they made a big deal out of wanting to know her history (no rape-shield law here, I believe), then trying to talk her out of it, then offering money (the perp), etc. And I've heard even worse stories, like the example you mention of having to reenact it -- it's no wonder so many people here don't speak out, although it IS increasing here (especially with groping).

Well, you only have to read some of the comments here to understand why rape is still a huge problem.

Smith.

That questioning is standard procedure globally as well as the "Rape Kit", granted not pleasant. The same procedure also protects you and others from false accusations.

“This landmark report paints a clear picture of the devastating impact these violent acts have on the lives of millions of Americans,” Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.

I think Sibelius is the person that the Democrats , who know what is best for everyone, could best arrange to also have this aspect of people's private lives invaded and re-ordered. Go to it, Kathleen.

It is the attitude of the police, and also the attitude of society in general that makes many rapes go unreported. The shame you feel after the attack - that it was somehow "your fault" - you put yourself in that situation, or "things like this dont happen to nice girls like me". Fact is, it can and does happen to anyone. And the humiliation of having to tell someone what has happened to you is crippling. You may even keep it quiet because you dont want to upset people around you who love you and would be devastated if they knew what had happened, or you just want o blank it out and move on quickly, pretend it never happened. Trouble is, it is not that easy and it haunts you.

Once you start talking about it and go for support and counselling you meet people you would never in a million years believe something like this could happen to - smart, well educated, successful, intelligent women who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time or with the wrong person. You then start to feel better about yourself and eventually can learn to live with what has happened to you and even turn the experience into a positive - for example making sure that your girlfriends/daughters are aware of the risk of having something slipped into their drink and maybe preventing it happening again.

IT`S ME - that line of questioning is NOT standard procedure globally, I can assure you. In the UK specially trained FEMALE police officers deal with rape victims, rape crisis centre representatives are called in and never, ever, do you have to return to the scene of the crime and re-enact the attack again.

@Smith

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this horrendous crime, It was really an eye opener about these ridiculous Police procedures. I think they are still living in the stone age when it comes to deal with Sexual Assaults.

@Yardley I totally second your comment. Some of the comments here are made by immature people..Go figure!

@Nicky

that line of questioning is NOT standard procedure globally, I can assure you. In the UK specially trained FEMALE police officers deal with rape victims, rape crisis centre representatives are called in and never, ever, do you have to return to the scene of the crime and re-enact the attack again.

Agree completely. Rape victims should deal only with female trained Police officers. a female rape victim should NEVER have a rape-kit done by a MALE doctor(if she doesn't want!). That should be outlawed. It's pathetic that in many countries, the rape crisis centers, police interrogations and physical checks are dominated by males. It doesn't help the victim in any way to have her body touched all over again by a man. Same with male rape victims. Freedom of choice should be available to both sexes. Japan has a serious problem and lack of female officers it seems. All these rape interrogations and physicals made by men.(in female rape cases) Really prehistoric and low class.

A stat that is hardly reliable. In a country of 312 million, CDC surveyed every single adult female within the U.S?

Depending on how they chose the 10,000 people surveyed, this statistical sampling can very well be accurate and have very little error ± 3 %. So depending on their methodology, they can have very good confidence in the accuracy.

For political polling (which is quite advanced, but very nuanced due to quickly changing winds of opinion) typically 3,000 people are sampled for a 95% confidence level. 10,000 as in this survey is way more accurate. So, you may not like what the mirror to society shows, but it's not far off (plus minus a few percentage points), given the definitions.

Now, the polling questions and whether they were leading or not, can have a very big impact on the results. Surveys like this should use very neutral language which avoids leading questions.

Problem with the questioning and rape kit those need to be taken as soon as possible.

Wait a few hours and memory degrades(go beyond 2-3 days and it becomes truly unreliable) as well as physical evidence, so not always possible to wait for female staff.

Is the CDC (Center for Disease Control) also going to issue a report on sexual harassment and groping?

BlueWitch: "Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this horrendous crime, It was really an eye opener about these ridiculous Police procedures. I think they are still living in the stone age when it comes to deal with Sexual Assaults."

I stand behind what I said earlier, but I also want to emphasize that I do not think ALL police in Japan are like this at all. It just seems to me that a good deal of them would rather badger the victim or the person making a claim than have to fill out the paperwork and investigate it. Not only about rape, but anything. But again, not everyone. I've also had the pleasure of meeting some genuinely friendly and hard working officers in my time here.

As for rape or attempted rape cases, the police do need, though, to move forward and update their methodology for investigating and/or arresting perps. As has been said, they need female officers to come in if a woman feels uncomfortable talking to a male officer (let alone reenacting!), or to perform a rape kit. They also need counsellors on hand for the victims, and officers as a whole need more sensitivity training, it seems to me.

Is the CDC (Center for Disease Control) also going to issue a report on sexual harassment and groping?

No, but the EEOC did.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/01/12/abuse-of-power.html>

Problem with the questioning and rape kit those need to be taken as soon as possible.

Wait a few hours and memory degrades(go beyond 2-3 days and it becomes truly unreliable) as well as physical evidence, so not always possible to wait for female staff

Dont know about other countries and I am sure Japan doesnt follow this protocol, but in the UK a female officer is always available, on call or on duty for rape cases, and the medical tests are either done at the hospital or in some stations in a special room designed for the purpose. Nurses and/or doctors work with the police to take the tests. You dont need to wait. They really are on the ball with this. Seems to me that Japan leaves a lot to be desired though.

The figures are probably right. Too many bad man out there. So educate your sons.

Sorry, Nicky.

But reports from the UK don't back you up, many stories where female (trained counsellors) cops weren't available.

See my post on the other thread. Those trained female cops/trained personnel aren't always available and people who think they magically appear are ..... IMO.

This is reality. And yes I do read the local british press, etc.

If a rape victim comes into a Koban they shouldnt even lift a pen - call an ambulance AND the local police HQ - have a female officer meet her at the hospital where a trained female nurse can take the rape kit and then allow her to refresh herself, then sit down and get a statement. Believe me, when it happens to you a few wellspent hours gathering evidence makes very little difference to your memory, and in any case, with a violent crime certain details can be blocked out, only to be recalled later when under less stress.

Add: whats so hard about that?

Nicky.

Take some steps back I am not disagreeing but saying that it is not possible at all times as trained personnel might not be available.

How would you proceed from that point? And that is NOT japan specific.

Unless in the UK(Heaven) they got tons of trained and specialised personnel on standby(never mind who pays for them).

Get real.

My guess is that it's your typical wildly inflated stat to get headlines, even as far away as Japan.

alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration

There is usually a wild card thrown into the mix to bump up the numbers, and my guess is that this is it. Back when I lived in California the law was that a drunk woman was not allowed to give consent to sex. Even if she went to the roof and shouted it out, she still had the right to press charges the next morning when she was sober. A woman was considered to be unable to engage in a consensual agreement while on alcohol, essentially turning her into a minor and the man into a statutory rapist.

Obviously, not many women are going to run out and press charges based on this. But it was shocking to see the legal leeway they had. The could just as easily turn the survey around and report that 95% of men are rapists at some point in their lives, but I'm guessing even those hungry for funds might think it's a little over the top.

smithinjapan - Any follow-up on what happened in the story with your friend?

Nicky - Have heard similar things about the UK. We may get a fair few things wrong there but in this aspect they really seem to be pretty ahead of the game. It's in a different league from Japan, who might get there in a generation or two... or possibly not.

But reports from the UK don't back you up, many stories where female (trained counsellors) cops weren't available.

Very true, and sometimes it still happens BUT it is getting better all the time, they are well aware of the issue, and of course you dont hear of the vast majority of cases where trained female staff were available because of course, they dont make the news.

How would you proceed from that point? And that is NOT japan specific.

How would proceed from what point? From once the statement is taken? If so, I am not a detective so how would I know? I am talking about the initial receipt of the complaint and initial stages of the investigation.

Unless in the UK(Heaven) they got tons of trained and specialised personnel on standby(never mind who pays for them).

They are hardly sitting around clicking their fingers and waiting for the calls to come in. They are already on duty or on call in the course of their jobs anyway. Look, Im not saying the UK has it perfect - but it IS improving and certainly better than Japan. You said that male officers taking statements and operating rape kits was standard global procedure - I am simply telling you that it is not.

Why are you making this such an issue? Do you think the way SmithinJapans friend was treated was reasonable? Do you think women who have been through this most horrendous of crimes then have no right to be treated with tact and sensitivity? Even if in Japan trained personnel are not available, dont you think steps should be taken to make them more available? Or for training to be given so that experiences like Smiths friend had to go through arent repeated?

It's not so bad.................

Nearly one in five American women have been victims of rape or attempted rape

I guess the part in bold explains the high figure. In the US, merely chatting up a girl is considered as an "attempted rape". Over there, they get angry just for being called "girl" instead of "woman".

In a statement, she said the findings of the ongoing National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey would help the administration of President Barack Obama shape policy to combat domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Democrats. Their lust - for power - is something neither sex can fend off. Behold the nauseating irony of the party that gropes you, your kids and your wheelchair -bound grandmother at the airport grandstanding on yet another issue . 11/12 cannot come soon enough.

Ah, ok ITS ME, re-read your question. Now I understand what you are asking - how would I proceed if no women were immediately available, right?

Obviously it depends very much on where you are and what the system is there - I dont know about other countries so I cant answer that but in the UK you CAN request a female officer/doctor. I would wait until one was available. As I said before, physical evidence doesnt disappear within a few hours assuming you dont wash it away, and memories dont fade after 2-3 hours either. Believe me, they dont even fade after 2-3 years.

In Japan - well, I think we have already both agreed the system here for dealing with rape is shocking and needs to change - havent we? If no woman is available at all then you have no choice - which is why my previous post suggesting ways of rectifying that.

Nicky.

Sorry, we haven't agreed on anything yet unless you got access to the same official data I got. Not a hard task by all means.

Still would like to see an official/confirmed study that compares female officer availability between overseas and local.

Sorry, I deal in confirmed facts/data and not hearsay from people on the net(Who are they, where are they, etc).

@SmithinJapan.

The story of your friend is horrific.

Sorry, we haven't agreed on anything yet unless you got access to the same official data I got. Not a hard task by all means

.Fine, we dont agree then. But what official data do you actually have?Care to share? Because if we are talking about female officer availability (I am assuming that is the issue here) then wanting to see said data suggests that you dont actually know the availability of female police officers in the UK (or elsewhere) compared to Japan either.

I am saying the UK is not perfect, but try very hard to get it right (refer to the victims support website where they categorically state "usually a female" when talking about police officers dealing with rape reports). I am aware that problems happen in the UK and as I stated before, not perfect, but definitely better then Japan - now if you have data to contradict that and CAN say that Japan treats female rape victims better please by all means prove me wrong - I would be delighted.

If you dont deal in hearsay from people on the net then perhaps - with all due respect - you shouldnt be here?

Just over half of female rape victims (51.1%) said they had been targeted by an “intimate partner”—a current or former partner or spouse—and 40.8% by an acquaintance.

This, and this:

victims of rape or attempted rape

To be honest, I am surprised they only got the figure of 18.3 percent with those very unconstraining constraints! I would be surprised if fewer than 90 percent of men never got at least a little pushy with a girlfriend and took some time to understand she really meant no this time. And while he had no intent to rape her, the woman gets this phone call and tries the mind reading anyway. She declares attempted rape by a current partner. His side of the story? Not even asked for!

So again, I am amazed it was this low. The Ultra-feminist States of America have obviously accomplished one of their missions. And I think they only mean to increase their power with this piece of propaganda. There are just so many obvious reasons why you don't mix rape stats with attempted rape stats, especially when this is someone they know and not some guy who jumped out of bushes in the park. I would laugh except I know so many will take this propaganda seriously.

@ smith in Japan. ( Sorry my IPhone is having a bad spellcheck day) I am truly sorry to hear about your friend. She was very, very lucky to have you there for support.

Our beloved Japan Today posted an article on reporting rape in Japan a couple of years ago. Here's the link, hope it works.

www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/victims-are-finally-learning-to-speak-out-against-Japan's-outdated-rape-laws.

@ Nicky. I agree with you. I've heard some horror stories in my time. I'd be interested to know exactly what percentage of police officers in Japan are women. I've noticed more female officers around the last couple of years.

"rape"

Why would a man want to forcibly have sex with a woman or another man? I don't get it...

I'm not sure attempted rape and rape should be put in the same class of statistics any more than attempted murder and murder are. Both are of course very serious, but the end result is not the same.

I disagree, they are essentially the same crime, the only difference is that the perp was successful. In order to find out the extend of rape one has to include attempted. Lets say for example there are 100 reported cases of attempted rape and 0 cases of successful rape. If one only uses the successful rape one would be naive to assume that it is safe. It shouldn't be about whether one was successful in their but their desire.

Is an attempted murder really better than a murder? No because the perp who tried to murder someone had the exact same desire and will to do it as the person who committed a murder. The only difference is that one was able to successfully kill someone. To further build off of that point, imagine two people who have the desire to kill someone and both of them are using bows and arrows. Both take aim and fire an arrow at someone, one misses and the other hits their target killing someone. Is the person who fired an arrow and missed really any different or "better/innocent" then the person who hit their target? The difference between the two is either luck or skill or a combination of the two when it comes to firing an arrow.

@Serrano

"rape"

Why would a man want to forcibly have sex with a woman or another man? I don't get it...

I wonder that myself... Making love, on the other hand, its the most beautiful, sublime, passionate act between two human beings that love each other.. That's my heart speaking.. I apologize.

I really have to wonder if consensual sex under the influence counts as rape. If the girl is fine with it while drunk but has regrets the next morning is that rape? To narrow this, let's be sure that the girl was willingly imbibing, or smoking, or whatever. It's rather difficult to call a willing participation in activites whilst intoxicated a crime the morning after. You may realize that you've been a fool, but is your own stupidity a crime by another person? I'm not so sure.

The report also touched upon male rape, finding that one in 71 men—nearly five percent of all American men—had been raped in their lifetime

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the maths behind this statement?

@Serrano I agree, I don't get it either but from what I hear its some kind of control thing... Still don't get it though. I think most rape victims are either too scared, drugged, or stunned with disbelief to fight back. But seriously if the victim is seriously fighting back I'm pretty sure the perpatrator wouldn't be too eager to get their "jollies" off someone thats scratching up their face, poking out their eyes, or trying to rip their groin off.

Women are really treated poorly in this day and age. You would think that we would be passed this by now but we're not.

Way to go America!

Dear Nicky,

You know lately, I've been your biggest fan. Still am. Today something didn't click for me.

Why does it have to be a female police officer?

The idea that a man can't do the same job as well as a woman doesn't sit well with me.

You mentioned "tact" in one of your posts so I guess I better be careful. We both know this topic is a minefield.

I agree with you that there should be a special unit for such rape crimes. It should be filled with male and female officers. However, for the rape victim in question she must address the officers on duty, assigned to her case.

There isn't a rape victim in the world that wouldn't love an all female jury. If we could pick and choose that's what it would be. Then there'd be no way to weed out the false accusations.

At the hospital, there are male and female doctors. I feel BOTH must be present.

I don't like the argument that the female genitalia demand more privacy and special treatment in such cases. I'd like to have privacy when urinating but someone in this country decided women are allowed in the men's room. However when it's the other way around, there's NO WAY an old man would be allowed to clean the ladies room.

You see where I'm going with this? Gender has NO bearing in the case of rape.

Men get raped all the time, but yet everyone turns a blind eye to that. There's no hotline for that.

How about guys attacked on the street? How about the hate crimes against gay men?

I don't think the gender of the police officer should have any bearing on rape. It's how it's handled that is most important. Tests need to be done and evidence needs to be gathered while it's fresh. This "I was raped 9 months ago" is BS and needs to be nipped in the bud.

Don't get me wrong, Nicky. If the officer has not been trained to handle such situations then someone from with the appropriate should be called in. If that person is a man, feel lucky. Not too many officers volunteer to be in that department.

At the hospital, there are male and female doctors. I feel BOTH must be present.

I don't like the argument that the female genitalia demand more privacy and special treatment in such cases. I'd like to have privacy when urinating but someone in this country decided women are allowed in the men's room.

You're not seriously suggesting that you weeing while some old cleaning lady mops the floor in the background is on a level with a female rape victim being subjected to a very intimate internal examination by a male doctor?

Hey netninja, good to "see" you!

I apologise if I came across that way, making out that men couldn do the job as well as women - totally not my intention and I actually disagree with the concept - for example I have had 3 children, 2 female obstetricians and 1 male one. The guy was far and away the best doctor I ever had, not just medically but really tuned in emotionally to women too. So no, I would never suggest nor believe that a man could not do this job as well as a woman - quite the opposite in fact in my experience.

What I meant was that the option was either available (for the most part, not always in the UK) or SHOULD be made available. This is just because - rightly or wrongly - having been through such a traumatic experience as rape it IS harder for some women to talk about it in detail to a man, and be subjected to a physical examination. It has no bearing at all on their ability to do the job just as well if not better than a woman. But I just feel that in circumstances where a woman for whatever reason would feel more comfortable talking to another woman about her experience, that option should be made available to her, thats all.

Again - I personally believe through my own experience that the right kind of man can do an amazing job on "womens issues" and I would never suggest otherwise - it is not my personal belief or experience that that is the case. but it should always where possible be about what the victim wants and feels comfortable with.

Secondly - I was focusing specifically on women but yes of course, male victims should be subject to exactly the same options as women so take every opinion I have given in reverse for men. As a matter of fact I have had experience counsellig male rape victims myself in my dim and distant past and they were able to request a male member of staff and frequently did - the genuine ones anyway. A dead giveaway for a potentially non-genuine one is when they specifically ask to speak to a female counsellor - but thats a separate issue for a separate thread.

The "I was raped 9 months ago" thing I kind of agree with but a lot depends on individual circumstances so I think that is a hard one to call. But women who cry rape - yes - they absolutely shouldnt be allowed to get away with it and they do genuine rape victims a massive disservice.

I totally agree it should always be handled with tact and sensitivity by specially trained officers and doctors/nurses - whatever their gender.

Fundamentally this shows the poor state of social moral base and equally poor judicial and law enforcement system in U.S.

Actually the US has one of the best report rates of rapes and attempted rapes because the law will actually do something about it as well as fully supportive therapy groups and assistance in such cases. Compared to Japan where how many rapes go unreported because the women are too embarassed or the law sits on their laurels or tries to downplay it and how many support programs for victims of rape? Even then Japan has things better than ME countries where the women can either be beaten, imprisoned, and even excecuted for being the victim of rape (because its considered adultry) and many of the perpetrators get to walk around freely with no punishment whatsoever. This is just giving a statistic of how many people are victims or near victims of rape in the US. The number could be much higher, but its still better for it to hit 0% in the long run.