Since 1929, the FBI has defined rape as the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.
While most state laws certainly aren’t this limited, this change in FBI definition affects crime statistics and resources that go to the states.
According to the WaPo:
The revised definition covers any gender of victim or attacker and includes instances in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of the influence of drugs or alcohol or because of age. Physical resistance is not required. The Justice Department said the new definition mirrors the majority of state rape statutes now on the books.
The new definition will increase the number of people counted as rape victims in FBI statistics, but will not change federal or state laws nor alter charges or prosecutions.
The expansion has been long awaited because policymakers and lawmakers use crime statistics to allocate resources for prevention and victim assistance.
Often rape victims are still treated like villains in court and by defense attorneys. When the chief cop spot in the nation defines rape in such a short sighted manner, it is bound to trickle down in a less than respectful way for the victim.
I sincerely hope this issue won’t become a political issue. After all, the Obama administration was behind its implementation.
