The current Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definition of rape developed over 80 years ago is outdated and saddled with stereotypes. Because of the definition’s narrow scope, the gravity of sexual assault incidents in the United States cannot be fully realized.
The UCR currently defines rape as “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” This definition needs to be revised to include rape of males, rape committed against victims without use of force, and must not be limited to vaginal/penile penetration.
The problems with the current UCR definition of rape include the following:
1. The public is not being accurately informed of the true incidence of sexual assault in the United States. Of countries publishing data, the United States has the highest incidence of rape – thirteen times higher than England and twenty times higher than Japan according to the American Medical Association. RAINN statistics say that one in ten males and one in four females will be raped.
2. The UCR definition of rape negatively impacts law enforcement’s response to sex crimes. Less attention is given to sex crimes that do not fit the outdated definition of rape.
3. The narrow definition contributes to underreporting of sexual assault by victims. According to RAINN, 60 percent of sexual assaults remain unreported to police; it remains the most underreported crime.
4. Underrepresentation of rape statistics hampers funding for law enforcement and victim assistance efforts.
We support the new proposed wording: “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
However, we feel that consideration should also be given to the following wording to be inclusive of all persons: “An unwanted sexual act committed by any person toward another person.” This definition is more appropriate because it is fully inclusive of all victim / perpetrator combinations. For example, we do not specify oral penetration by a sex organ which limits the action to male perpetrators. We feel that our proposed wording would close the loopholes that are victimizing persons who have been sexually assaulted.
There are many ways in which humans can be raped. In order for society to fully realize the gravity of this problem, the federal definition of rape needs to include all options so that rapes can be more accurately reported. It is time for the FBI to recognize this problem and update the definition of rape so the gravity of this issue in the United States can be realized. Please update the Uniform Crime Report definition to include all victims of rape. Every rape should be counted!