With reportedly 425 cases of sexual abuse against children in Maricopa County in the past six months, the need for sexual assault education and prevention is apparent.
The Department of Justice believes revising the definition of sexual assault may help increase the accuracy of reporting sexual assault crimes, and increase understanding about the effects of sexual assault crimes on victims. It recently announced a significant expansion to its definition, which will now include several forms of sexual assault, such as oral penetration, and male rape, according to The Washington Post.
The antiquated definition of sexual assault previously referred only to the "carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will," according to The Post.
The definition of rape has evolved over the years from its original 1929 definition. For example, rape did not apply to assaults between spouses. Now, rape encompasses non-consensual sexual intercourse committed even by offenders who have a pre-existing relationship with the victims.
The new definition's use in the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report will be the first step in its implementation, according to The Post.
"This sends a powerful message that...rape is rape," Susan B. Carbon of the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women said in a conference call. "It's rape even if you're a man. It's rape even if you are raped with an object and even if you were too drunk to consent."
For more information on Arizona's rape and sexual assault laws and resources for Phoenix crime victims, see our Related Resources section.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- State Rape Laws (FindLaw)
- Police Officials Provide Education About Sexual Assault (Phoenix Criminal Law News)
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