Historical April 1976 opinion, including period descriptions of law, treatment and crime prevention; preserved as source material, not current guidance.
The women’s movement has many areas of focus. Most of these are in the realm of mores, customs, and traditions. They involve changing attitudes and values. One concern is a violent crime almost exclusively perpetrated against females: rape.
Our modern legal system is stacked greatly in favor of the rapist and against his victim. Police have often failed to consider rape a serious matter. Hospital emergency treatment has ranged from impersonal to inhumane, the investigatory and trial procedures have been humiliating and degrading to the victim. In no other violent crime does the victim end up the accused. Evidence is permitted in rape cases that would never be allowed in other trials.
Some of these ills are being remedied. The St. Louis Police Department has a Rape Squad with an excellent reputation. Their intelligent and sensitive handling of victims is greatly appreciated. They are a truly professional group of officers and their methods should be copied by other law enforcement agencies around the state and nation. Our state representative, Steve Vossmeyer, has introduced legislation to correct the abuses to the victims in the courtroom. (See his article elsewhere in this issue.) But emergency room treatment is still poor. One rape victim of whom I have personal knowledge was left alone in a hospital room 45 minutes. She was practically crawling the wall by the time anyone came to take care of her. This certainly should be changed. Human companionship is an absolute necessity after such an ordeal.
As with all crime, prevention is the most important facet of the problem. Most of the advice is familiar: Stay away from deserted, dark places. Don’t open the door at home. A barking dog is often your best protection if you are home alone. Carry your whistle where you can use it at all times when you are out alone. It doesn’t do you any good in your purse.
Psychological studies of convict and/or confessed rapists have shown it to be a crime of violence not sex. Most rapists are married or have a regular sex partner. They rape to hurt and humiliate, not because they are sexually frustrated. they attack to prove their superiority and strength. They want to exert power over someone’s life. In interviews with psychiatrists they recall fantasizing during the attack. If the victim is docile, the rapist is free to imagine being Superman. Passivity encourages them. In fact they relate watching and choosing their victims because they seem helpless.
In our neighborhood one attempted rape was foiled because the woman ran screaming out into the street as a car came near. Even though the would-be abductors had weapons, they fled when their victim reacted aggressively.
As we bring this crime out into the open and remove the stigma, we help the women who have already been raped face the dilemma of going to court and we enable the justice system to remove rapists from our midst. In the interest of Justice, Steve Vossmeyer’s bill does a great service. As it now goes before the Missouri Senate it needs your support. By writing serious, thoughtful, courteous letters to the senators from our area and those nearby perhaps we can havi a positive impact. Send your letters to Franklin Payne, Maurice Schecter, Lawrence Lee and Raymond Howard at the Senate Office Building, Jefferson City, Mo. 65201. Write soon. Let them know you support HB 1327.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1976.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1976_04.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
