FBI Update Rape Definition to Include Male Victims and Date Rape

From FSRN


"The Department of Justice announced this morning that it is expanding the FBI’s definition of rape, which has been on the books since 1929. For the first time, the FBI’s statistics will include people of any gender, instances of date rape and statutory rape, and rape with an object. Women’s rights advocates -- who have long pushed for the move – say the revised definition will lead to a more accurate accounting of incidents of rape, but that it still must be accompanied by a cultural shift, so that more rape survivors come forward and report the crime. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports from Washington."

I thought the recent news that the Feds have finally updated there absurdly narrow definition of rape (man on woman and must involve vaginal penetration) for a couple of reasons. First I am a supporter of women's rights, sexual equality and an opponent of sexual violence and this story covers all three of those topics.

And Given that Feminists on the internet have a reputation so poor you'd be forgiving for thinking the word was the name of some cult of crazy lesbians wishing to make males a slave race(1). So I felt publicising this story about a Feminist lead campaign that had include "male victims" as one of its main recommendations for correction, runs counter to the stereotype of "Millie Tant" nagging for special treatment.

With luck initiatives like this will not only make for a more accurate recording of Sexual violence but also pressure law enforcement to take it more seriously and reduce (fingers crossed) the culture of victim blaming. And hopefully open up a space for a serious discussion about male victimisation which is extremely under reported around the world.



In Medieval France there was a man who was physically abused by his wife, when this became public knowledge he was mocked and forced to ride backwards on a Donkey through the village so all his neighbours could come and ridicule him. And given the abundance of jokes with dropping soap in the shower in prison, its questionable if we have made much any progress in this regard.

1: And before you say anything I have actually seen websites and comments that say just that and no they weren't joking, and they were sane compared to a few others.