Redefine the words 'rape' and 'rapist' in your dictionary

The Issue

As of 1/24/14, Oxford dictionary defines 'rape' and 'rapist' as:

 

'the crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will'

and

'a person, typically a man, who commits rape'.

 

Though these are technically true, they are still somewhat offensive and misleading. Rape is ANY type of unwanted sexual abuse and a rapist is ANYONE that commits it, regardless of gender.

 

You would not define a thief as "typically black" or a terrorist as "typically Muslim", so there should be no reason to refer to a rapist as "typically male".

avatar of the starter
Lexi FinnPetition Starter
This petition had 235 supporters

The Issue

As of 1/24/14, Oxford dictionary defines 'rape' and 'rapist' as:

 

'the crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will'

and

'a person, typically a man, who commits rape'.

 

Though these are technically true, they are still somewhat offensive and misleading. Rape is ANY type of unwanted sexual abuse and a rapist is ANYONE that commits it, regardless of gender.

 

You would not define a thief as "typically black" or a terrorist as "typically Muslim", so there should be no reason to refer to a rapist as "typically male".

avatar of the starter
Lexi FinnPetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Oxford Dictionary/oxforddictionaries.com
Oxford Dictionary/oxforddictionaries.com
Oxford Dictionary

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