Suchergebnisse

A highly critical indictment of current rape trial proceedings in the English jury system. Based on observational data gathered from 10 rape trials & background research, it is argued that rape trials are "equivalent to a second 'rape"' & are essentially a hoax. Throughout the proceedings it is continuously implied that the woman is lying & fabricating details, & that she sometimes even enjoyed the rape experience. Analysis of trial records (N = 52) reveals that the acquittal rate for rape trials is highest of all crimes. The reasons for this low conviction rate are explored, highlighting the disparities between the male judicial view, which is based on abstract law, & the woman's view, which is based on actual experience. Underplaying the violence that occurs in many rape cases is typical, along with underplaying the woman's distress. Although improper cross-examination of the woman's sexual history, reputation, current life situation, etc, is not acceptable according to the 1976 Sexual Offences Act, such questioning still occurs in rape trials. The types of criteria used to determine "consent" are outlined, & it is shown that rape trials focus on whether the woman is bringing false allegation, & not on whether the defendant is guilty. C. Grindle