CRJS6203 RV: Changes Over Time in the Treatment of Victims

Changes over Time in the Treatment of Marital Rape Victims
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Changes over Time in the Treatment of Marital Rape Victims
Until late 1970’s, marital rape was exempted from the criminal law, thus shielding husbands from being charged with rape of their wives (Hasday, 2000). The failure to recognize wife rape as a crime reflects the existing cultural beliefs about sexuality in the society. A woman’s sexuality was a commodity owned by her husband and all that happened in their marriage was their private concern, and the society should not intervene. Marital rape was deemed unnecessary because a wife should consensually participate in sex with her husband (Durán, Moya, Megías, &Viki, 2010). Therefore, most people never believed wife rape as a serious issue compared to rape by a stranger. But victims of marital rape are more likely to develop mental psychiatric disorders similar to victims of stranger rape (Harless, 2003). Their experience might even be worse due to extreme violation of both trust and body. Marital rape was not commonly discussed so as to keep the marital relationship private. It was exempted from the criminal justice system to protect husbands from vindictive wives. It was believed that pressing charges of marital rape would discourage reconciliation between husband and wife. The most important point for failure to recognize marital rape as a crime was its almost impossible nature to prove in a court of law (Edwards, Turchik, Dardis, Reynolds, &Gidycz, 2011).
Overtime, various statutes have been enacted to have marital rape prosecutable in a court of law. Various campaigns and policies against raping of wives by their husbands have created awareness in the society that see marital rape offenders face jail terms after rape charges. Victims of sexual assault have better chances of opening up and reporting their cases nowadays (Harless, 2003). This has been facilitated by volunteer organizations which offer protection and accommodation for such victims. The organizations, also known as “shelters”, assist the victims in seeking medical and legal help as soon as possible. Such a gesture ensures immediate collection of evidence by medical professional and police offi...