I would like to see rape related PTSD become substantial evidence in trials.. criminal as well as civil suits. I would like to see the statute of limitations lifted in all states. My particular state does not have a limit on felony rape. It should be that way everywhere. Far too often, rape victims convince themselves that their fine and chose at the time to not go to the police for many reasons. But later in life, when it comes crashing down, there is no legal recourse and that's just wrong. He should be forced to pay retribution through a civil court trial.. at the very least.

I know much of this would be very tricky and difficult.. but it's the middle of the night and it makes perfect sense to me. :)

I'm in the UK so I can't really comment on how things are done in the US - all I know for sure is that in both countries, *something* needs to be done to improve the conviction rate.
(There's a local drug dealer I know about who's been up in court on rape charges on several separate occasions, but never once have the police been able to make the charge stick! The problem being, the courts aren't allowed to consider the previous allegations in each fresh charge against him.)

I believe in the UK there is now the option for women to bring a civil case and make a compensation claim against their rapist. From what I've read, the women who have gone through that system don't tend to be in it for the money, it's more a matter of using that route to get their story heard and have some legal acknowledgement. (And in practice, just because the court orders someone to pay compensation, I doubt the other person often gets to see that much of it.)

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

In my paper, I just need at least three more people to contribute of what they would like to see changed in regards to the judicial system on rape and women's rights. If you could help, it sure would mean a lot to me. Thank you. Once it is done, I can send you a copy of it as well. Blessings.

Would be great to see it when its done, i think I sent you my comments by PM but happy to say more if you need anything else,
take care,
L

I think that the punishment for rape should start at 15 or 20 years in prison. Allowing a convicted rapist out of prison after 18 months (or so) on "good behavior" is a joke. I also believe that a lot of money needs to be put into processing rape kits that have been sitting on a shelf in some city or county crime lab. There are millions of unprocesses kits, and if they could be processes put into CODIS then rapes could be solved three four or more at a time, because a man never rapes ONLY ONCE.
~Just me thinking out loud ... hope it helps

Thank you all. Can I get one more person to volunteer?

I agree with what everyone else has said. When someone is raped, their entire life is ruined (for a time). It is completely turned upside down and sideways, and things are NEVER the same, regardless of how much therapy and recovery they go through. However, with the current judicial system, rapists "serve their time"...which could be only community service or a few months in prison...and then get to walk free. I do not think that rape charges should be allowed to be acquitted from someone's record. 95% of reported rape cases (which only about 40% are reported through my own survey of this site) are true according to government statistics. That 5% are the people that ADMITTED they lied.....which doesn't even necessarily mean that the rape didn't happen either. But regardless, just because the police can't piece together enough evidence, or the rapist can pay off the jury, does NOT mean that the charges should be acquitted and they walk a free man to rape someone else.

I think the statute of limitations should be lifted in all states as well. My state does not have a statute of limitations and it gives me peace of mind to know that when I am ready, I am able to go and report him for what he has done. It's comforting in a way to not have to feel rushed into recovery so that I feel safe enough to tell this story to the police.

I think police should be required better training in the field of sexual assault. I have heard too many horror stories of police verbally abusing women in the interrogation room, telling her that parts of her story are untrue or don't make sense. There HAS to be another way to do it. Terrorizing the women more than they have already been terrorized will only SET THEM BACK in recovery and not help them. I know women who have dropped their cases because they lost all hope in our justice system. I know women who have not been protected by law enforcement when they needed it. I know women who have had rape myths thrown in their faces to try to get her to mix up her story when reporting her rape. It's WRONG. Law enforcement needs to take a bigger responsibility for the protection and gentle treatment of women. Too often are women still treated as the one at fault when they are brave enough to come forward to report their attacker.

I'll post more if I think of it.

Oh wow! I don't know if you want to get me started on this one! I can tell you firsthand how messed up the "justice" system is in my county. If you read my journal "letter to the DA" you'll get an idea of why I'm so upset. Actually, I'll PM it to you....
Good luck with your paper!

I agree with the above...you don't even want to get me started on the law enforcement where I'm from. Its a JOKE and I have full intentions of raising all sorts of hell once I'm on a better track myself. Police NEED TO TAKE REPORTS SERIOUSLY AND MAKE THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN WHO MAKE THOSE REPORTS A PRIORITY.

I now believge that every second year law student should be compelled as part of his legal training to participate for at least one week in some type of rape counseling. I never believed that before reading DS. Participants in the judicial system which includes lawyers such as myself, judges and prosecutors simply do not know the impact of rape on a person. Before reading DS it never in a million years would occur ed to me that ten, twenty years after the event so many of you would still be so troubled. Faced with the difficulty prosecuting an alleged rape a prosecutor in the back of his mind thinks, perhaps subconciously, he or she will get over it unlike a murder victim or someone who is crippled or disfigured. As a result they are prone to not "waste" time on a case which to some extent they see as "victimless". Many of you will hate me for saying this but there's a tendency among men to say, hey, she's alive, she still has it, she's young, she'll get over it.

What I'm saying is the problem is lack of understanding and education. I say second year law students because many first year students wash out. If you make it to second year you generally graduate and get admitted. Those are the ones who become prosecutors, judges and lawyers.

How then to do it? The U.S. Department of Education gives grant money to every higher education establishment based upon number of degrees awarded. The higher the degree, the more money it awards. In the 1970's law school stopped awarding Bachelor of Laws degrees and went to a Doctor of Juris Prudence (my degree) because the Feds paid more for Doctorates that Bachelors. We must begin to work on Senators, Congressmen and the Federal Department of Education to require law students to participate in rape recovery. That is the only way future lawyers, judges and prosecutors will know the real extent of the damage caused by rape.

Wow, you all are a huge blessing. Do any of you want a copy of this paper once it is complete? Thank you so much for contributing. Your insights are very helpful. Can you please submit to me your first and last name through e-mail on here so I can quote you properly in my paper too? Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate it.

By the way, at Common Law the penalty for rape was castration and blindness. I think you can figure out why. I would very much enjoy seeing the paper. Email to bheghmann@hotmail.com.

Bob

I will definitely send you a copy Bob, and anyone else on here too that is interested. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

My heart breaks for all of you. I am here if you ever want to talk. I too am a rape survivor, but that shame and guilt is now gone. I can help you work through a lot of it, and become a survivor. Blessings.