In America, 1.3 forcible rapes of adult women occur every single minute, 78 women are forcibly raped each hour, 1,871 women are forcibly raped each day, 56, 916 women are forcibly raped each month, and 683,000 women are forcibly raped each year!

12.1 million American women have been the victim of forcible rape. In other words, thirteen percent of adult American women have been the victim of at least one forcible rape in their lifetime.

Rape is more than just a crime. Rape is a crime that is forced on a person's body. Unfortunately, it doesn't only affect the physical. Rape takes the control and sense of ownership of the body away. There is nothing more personal and private to a person then their own bodies and the act of rape violates this privacy. This violation effects the victims as much emotionally and mentally if not more than the bruises and cuts done to the body.

Through the years, society hasn't helped women deal with rape. Often when a woman attempts to deal with the crime committed against her, society agrees that the deed was a terrible thing but then proceeds to blame the victim. In the backs of many minds, there's the thought "what did she do to entice him?", "look at what she was wearing, she was asking for it", "she was loose and has had sex with many partners, she was leading him on". Fortunately, in many courts of law today, these types of questions are irrelevant and not allowable as a defense for the rapist. Unfortunately, people who still believe these dictates still causes the victim great pain and anguish because the prejudice shows regardless if the words have been spoken or not.

Rape is not only a crime that is committed against a woman by a stranger. A great number of rapes are committed by a person who is known by the victim. This is DATE RAPE. Date rape not only victimizes the person in the same manner as rape but it also breaches trust and security towards family and friends. Victims often have their guard down with people that they know or feel comfortable and safe with but this sense of safety is taken away with the rape.

Unfortunately, date rape is often harder on a victim emotionally than rape. It is often more difficult for the victim to receive the support needed with this type of rape. Because the offender is often known in the victims circle of friends and family, others may find it hard to believe that this person is capable of committing this crime and may be torn between believing the victim or the offender, especially if not a lot of visible physical damage had occurred.

Date rape can also affect the relationship between the victim and her partner more than rape does. Many partners can understand and accept the innocence of their loved one in a rape happening on a street corner etc. But with date rape, often questions are formed subconsciously such as "what was she doing with him?" "he didn't rape her, she let him and now is trying to cover it up". Unfortunately, some women have done this which makes it so much more difficult for women who have actually been victimized.

Rape is a crime that is not only committed against women. This crime is often forced on children and men. The act of rape is also not always just committed by men. Though not as prevalent, women have also committed this crime. Many men don't report when this crime has been committed against them. Unfortunately, society tends to view rape against a man, especially when committed by a woman with disbelief and mockery. We have to realize that the sense of ownership that a man has towards his body is just as real as it is to a woman and any attempts to take that away from a man is just as devastating psychologically to a man as it is with a woman. No person, regardless of age or sex should have to endure this crime or the sense of guilt that often goes with this crime because of the views of society.

Only 16 percent of victims of forcible rape ever report to the police. Of these in 1991, 52 percent of the alleged rapists were cleared by arrest or exceptional means death of offender, victim's refusal to cooperate, etc.)and turned over to the court for prosecution. The remainder of cases did not reach the level of arrest or prosecution.

Rape is a crime that MUST be dealt with. Many women report their rapes, but often nothing is done about it. Especially in the instance of date rape, women feel victimized by society also, and don't report it for fear that their friends and neighbours won't believe them or might possible put the blame on the victim. Rape is a crime that must be reported so that the offender can be punished and hopefully another person spared from having to deal with this crime being committed against her person by this offender. However, due to the emotional and psychological damage done to the victim, the victim may not feel strong enough to report this crime and have to go through the, sometimes, accusing questions of the legal authorities or the stares and often accusing tones from friends and neighbours. No victim should be belittled for not reporting this crime or seeing it through the judicial system.