Historically rape is one of the oldest crimes in society, but it still has today’s society stumped on what kind of action to take when such a heinous crime is committed. Rape and sexual assault cases against women typically go unreported and can be difficult to prove in court of law. Because so little cases end in a conviction of the offender, women feel as if they aren’t taken seriously or that they are the ones to blame for the offense against them. Many factors come into play when a woman decides to vocalize about her victimization. Females need to trust that when the time comes, that their case will be taken seriously and justice will be provided regardless of who committed the act and what is portrayed about the crime.
Studies have shown …show more content…
Rape and sexual assault cases typically go unreported to police because of rape myths, intoxication of the offender and/or victim, or the offender is a friend or acquaintance. These factors can create distrust between the victim, law enforcement as well as the correctional system, because the victim can feel as if they are being blamed for their victimization. Rape myths tend to be more prominent among law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and juries, which can have compromising results for the victim. By reducing rape myths women will feel more comfortable reporting their victimization to the police. When under the influence of drugs and/ or alcohol women tend to blame their selves for their victimization experience. Women strongly believe as if they should not have been engaged in that behavior to begin with, however if women were more informed on the effects that drugs and alcohol can have and the potential risks they can encounter while under the influence then victim blaming among females will not be as prominent among female victims. Women who are victimized by a friend or acquaintance, makes …show more content…
Rape myths shift the blame from the offender to the victim ultimately causing people to misinterpret the definition of sexual assault and rape. Phrases such as “she was asking for”, “she is lying”, or even “he didn’t mean to”, are some allegations made in the media against women in cases of rape and sexual assault. Looking at the Kobe Bryant case shows exactly how the media can distort such perceptions of sexual assault and make it practically an acceptable offense. On July 1, 2003 a women reported to the police that she had just been sexually assaulted by basketball start Kobe Bryant, however the Bryant stated that the sex was consensual. Prosecution believed that there was enough evidence against Bryant to make a case and go to trial. In the months following the allegations against Bryant numerous articles were published in newspapers, magazines, and the Internet about Bryant’s offense. When the case was dismissed in September 2004 the woman was criticized greatly for not taking the stand in trial, which made the rape myths more prominent in the Kobe Bryant case. In a study that was conducted a year after the allegations on Kobe Bryant were made, showed how rape myths can sway the publics opinion. One group received an article that endorsed rape myths and another group received an article that challenged rape myths.
Studies have shown …show more content…
Rape and sexual assault cases typically go unreported to police because of rape myths, intoxication of the offender and/or victim, or the offender is a friend or acquaintance. These factors can create distrust between the victim, law enforcement as well as the correctional system, because the victim can feel as if they are being blamed for their victimization. Rape myths tend to be more prominent among law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and juries, which can have compromising results for the victim. By reducing rape myths women will feel more comfortable reporting their victimization to the police. When under the influence of drugs and/ or alcohol women tend to blame their selves for their victimization experience. Women strongly believe as if they should not have been engaged in that behavior to begin with, however if women were more informed on the effects that drugs and alcohol can have and the potential risks they can encounter while under the influence then victim blaming among females will not be as prominent among female victims. Women who are victimized by a friend or acquaintance, makes …show more content…
Rape myths shift the blame from the offender to the victim ultimately causing people to misinterpret the definition of sexual assault and rape. Phrases such as “she was asking for”, “she is lying”, or even “he didn’t mean to”, are some allegations made in the media against women in cases of rape and sexual assault. Looking at the Kobe Bryant case shows exactly how the media can distort such perceptions of sexual assault and make it practically an acceptable offense. On July 1, 2003 a women reported to the police that she had just been sexually assaulted by basketball start Kobe Bryant, however the Bryant stated that the sex was consensual. Prosecution believed that there was enough evidence against Bryant to make a case and go to trial. In the months following the allegations against Bryant numerous articles were published in newspapers, magazines, and the Internet about Bryant’s offense. When the case was dismissed in September 2004 the woman was criticized greatly for not taking the stand in trial, which made the rape myths more prominent in the Kobe Bryant case. In a study that was conducted a year after the allegations on Kobe Bryant were made, showed how rape myths can sway the publics opinion. One group received an article that endorsed rape myths and another group received an article that challenged rape myths.