Major win for rape victims - Obama admin updates definition of rape

[ProSense]

Major win for rape victims - Obama admin updates definition of rape

by Eclectablog

Today the Obama administration announced that it is updating the formal definition of rape. This move will help many rape victims who were previously unaccounted for achieve justice against their perpetrators and will more accurately reflect the extent of the problem of sexual crimes in our country.

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced revisions to the Uniform Crime Report’s (UCR) definition of rape, which will lead to a more comprehensive statistical reporting of rape nationwide. The new definition is more inclusive, better reflects state criminal codes and focuses on the various forms of sexual penetration understood to be rape. The new definition of rape is: “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 victim.” The definition is used by the FBI to collect information from local law enforcement agencies about reported rapes.

“Rape is a devastating crime and we can’t solve it unless we know the full extent of it,” said Vice President Biden, a leader in the effort to end violence against women for over 20 years and author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. “This long-awaited change to the definition of rape is a victory for women and men across the country whose suffering has gone unaccounted for over 80 years.”

“These long overdue updates to the definition of rape will help ensure justice for those whose lives have been devastated by sexual violence and reflect the Department of Justice’s commitment to standing with rape victims,” Attorney General Holder said. “This new, more inclusive definition will provide us with a more accurate understanding of the scope and volume of these crimes.” [...]

“The revised definition of rape sends an important message to the broad range of rape victims that they are supported and to perpetrators that they will be held accountable,” said Justice Department Director of the Office on Violence Against Women Susan B. Carbon. “We are grateful for the dedicated work of all those involved in making and implementing the changes that reflect more accurately the devastating crime of rape.”

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/06/1052111/-Major-win-for-rape-victims-Obama-admin-updates-definition-of-rape

[guardian]

1. What utter crap

They expand the definition on one hand, then instruct their army of TSA goons to commit rape (under their own definition) on innocent citizens.

[phleshdef]

2. Yea, thats right. Obama instructed TSA goons to rape you.

Got a link to show me that order? I'd prefer one to a geocities page with Guy Fawkes animated gifs all over the fucking place, as thats the usual decor for the "credible" sites with that kind of information.

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. "Yea, thats right. Obama instructed TSA goons to rape you."

Didn't you know that making shit up is one of the primary symptoms of ODS?

[Whisp]

3. you are right

what you said there is utter crap

[tallahasseedem]

5. Hijack thread fail.

***SIGH***

[SunsetDreams]

7. Then you go and cheapen the definition of Rape

by not only high-jacking this thread, but spewing utter crap.

Talk about flinging poo.

[boxman15]

9. ROFL. nt

[snooper2]

10. This may be the one of the least intelligent posts on DU3 to date

Congrats!

[lapislzi]

11. Your post really offends this rape victim

I've been patted down by TSA. Unpleasant, but I know the difference between it and rape. It was equally unpleasant for the $8/hr TSA lady.

So, really. Go back in your den.

[SunsetDreams]

6. Also Related: Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act 2010

Passengers on cruise ships headed from or toward American ports will gain increased security, services and rights when the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 is implemented thanks to the leadership of a California Congresswoman, vocal survivors and the President of the United States.

On Tues. July 31, the President signed H.R. 3360, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento). In a press release, the Congresswoman credits “Laurie Dishman, a Sacramento, CA resident and a constituent of Rep. Matsui’s, who wrote to her Representative after being sexually assaulted on a cruise ship – and asked for help. After several Congressional hearings which brought to light the gross inadequacies of current safety requirements on cruise ships, Rep. Matsui introduced H.R. 3360 in the House of Representatives.”

*snip*

A brief description of the policies signed into law are at the link.
http://calcasa.org/calcasa/cruise-vessel-security-and-safety-act/

____________________________________

I am very thankful to ICV for helping make this happen. While the law was passed and signed 3 months after my 14 year old daughter (at the time) was raped by a Cruise Line Employee, my hope is that it will help future victims and gain awareness.

[SunsetDreams]

8. Thanks ProSense K&R

[dawg]

12. This has been long overdue.

Kudos to the Obama Administration for this!

[Scurrilous]

13. K & R

[Taverner]

14. I like how they made it very specific

Which was missing before too