ABSTRACT
What images come to mind when you hear the term “rape?” Oftentimes, we think of highprofile cases that involve physical violence, victim injuries, and offenses perpetrated by strangers who stealthily attack an unaware victim. Case Study 1 provides an example of a case that received much media attention. Are these types of cases, the “stranger jumping from the bushes,” typical of all rapes? Statistics from victimization surveys reveal that these are rare occurrences, yet this image often influences how we think about rape victims. This image has also impacted how cases of rape were treated by police, prosecutors, and legislatures. Historically, cases of rape were dealt with very differently than other forms of violent crime, often with law enforcement and the courts treating victims with disbelief. Major reform efforts to redefine the state response to rape were implemented in the 1970s and 1980s. The lasting impact of these reforms on the treatment of rape victims and rape cases continues to be discussed. This chapter will examine the history of the state response to rape, the role of rape myths and stereotypes on criminal justice responses to rape, and current responses by the criminal justice and medicolegal systems.
