Question

Module 2
From The text Book for this course:  The Invisible Woman:  Gender, Crime and Justice (3rd edition) by Joanne Belknap. 
Assignment questions
Question #  1.  (1 page) 
In Chapter 8, Belknap spends some time discussing acquaintance rapes on university/college campuses.  How does the university/college setting impact the victimization and reporting of sexual assault?  Based on the risk factors presented in the text, what steps should be taken to prevent sexual assault on university/college campuses?  How can the system respond more effectively when these crimes occur (reporting through conviction)?
Question #  2.   (1 page)
As you learn more about IPA and stalking, consider the criminal legal response to these issues.  What one area of the criminal legal response (ranging from advocacy to law enforcement to the courts to corrections) do you think is most in need of change, and why?  How do you think this area of response could be improved?


Question #  2(Please, just a 1 paragraph response to the below AUTHOR)

Jose Ramirez Buzo Email Author
module 2
Collapse
A university/college should provide counselors and nurses available and prepared to help students. Some steps that should be taken to prevent sexual assaults from occurring on university/college campuses are to provide security officers patrolling the area. Lights set up in places that tend to look leery. I think the blue emergency alarms we have around campus are a great way to provide security and scare offenders.It should be required for students to attend an informational on STI’s, Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Self-Defense to provide students with statistics and tips if one is ever found in a harmful situation.

Question #  2(Please, just a 1 paragraph response to the below AUTHOR)



Meghan Gregg Email Author
Module 2
Collapse
Of all the crimes committed on college campuses, rape is the most occurring and violent crime reported so research is focused on this issue. College-aged people are more likely to be involved in relationships such as dating, friends with benefits, and hooking up. From research we know that women have a higher risk of getting sexually abused by a male perpetrator they know. Therefore, those types of relationships put women at a higher risk of getting raped (Belknap, 2007, p. 341). The university/college setting impacts the victimization of sexual assault because campuses bring together thousands of students and they are together in organizations such as fraternities, dormitories, and athletic teams (Belknap, 2007, p.342). These environments have a higher risk of sexual assaults happening than other environments. For example, a fraternity brother gets a college girl really drunk at one of his parties and then takes her back to his room to have sex with him. He might not see this as rape but this is a very common type of rape, referred to as “date rape”. Date rape is very prevalent in a college setting. Another example is a male athletic player becoming very close with another male player and ends up raping him because of an irrational sense of having power over his victim. Another way the college setting impacts victimization and reporting is that the other fraternity brother, athletes, roommates, etc… may encourage this behavior or watch it, but don’t ever report it or stop it (Belknap, 2007, p.342). For example, campus gang rapes happen most likely at parties. Men, who are the offenders, usually refer to this form of rape as “riding the train” and they see it as a game or challenge. In regards to how a college setting can affect the reporting of sexual assault, fraternity brothers are more likely to report having sexually assaulted females than non-fraternity men (Belknap, 2007, p.343).
Steps that can be taken to help prevent sexual assault on campuses include: always stay with a friend you trust at all times (especially during parties or at night), never walk alone at night on campus, always hold on to your drink at parties, monitor your alcohol intake, never accept a drink from a stranger, and never go into a room by yourself with a stranger. Most of these steps apply to women that go to parties, but that is where a lot of sexual assaults occur. Some steps to help prevent date rape include: go on dates in public places and do not go into date’s room unless you fully trust him/her. Since most the time victims are raped by someone they know and/or are dating it can be really hard to prevent, but these steps will definitely lessen the risk of being sexually assaulted.
Sexual assaults are one of the most common types of crimes that involve victim blaming for gender-based circumstances. The assaulter or maybe even witnesses might say that the woman had the rape coming to her by the way she acted or dressed. Often victims blame themselves for the rape. Also there could be no witnesses. All of these excuses make it easy for the victim to keep the sexual assault a secret. Since the majority of rapes are not reported, how can the criminal justice system respond more effectively when the assaults are reported? Police need to go through training to teach them how to talk to rape victims in a way that relaxes them and comforts them and lets them know someone is going to protect them. This is important because police are the first people in the criminal justice system that has contact with these victims in most cases.  It is important to try and get as much information about the offender as soon as possible. Another thing the system can do is offer more resources for anonymous rape counseling centers/crisis centers. The victims may not want to report the rape but they should still have access to some sort of rehabilitation unit, especially on college campuses. There are quite a few women who “cry wolf” by accusing a man of raping her when he really didn’t. These women make the police and courts very skeptical when looking at a sexual assault case. That is why it is really important for the court, police, lawyers, ect… to be thoroughly trained in how to identify rape victims and address them.




Content
Content   (The PAGES BELOW  are only content to read)
Module 2 Women as Victims:

INTRODUCTION

Module 2 Women as Victims:
In Module 2 we will be shifting gears and focusing on women as victims of crime.  Recall from our first week together that the boundaries between women as offenders, women as victims, and women as professionals often overlap.  What we learn in this unit will have a strong impact on how we address women as offenders, as well as impact what we know about women working in the field.
Many of the offenses we associate with female victims of crime were slow to come to light.  Domestic violence did not become a public issue until the 1970's.  It was not until the mid-1970's that the first shelters were opened.  While stranger rape has longed been recognized as a criminal issue, it was not until the early 1980's that acquaintance rape (or date rape) surfaced as a public health concern.  Stalking was not criminalized until 1990.  Prior to the 1970's much of what we now refer to as partner violence was shrouded in secrecy. These were family issues to be resolved by couples, not by the criminal legal system.  While we now recognize each of these behaviors as being illegal, even today there are times when we hesitate to describe violent behavior between couples as criminal.   Why do we allow those who care for each other to treat each other in a way we would clearly disallow if they were strangers?
As we begin to discuss women as victims, we once again must tackle the issue of gender roles and gender stereotypes.  While men are far more likely to be violently victimized, it is women who are taught that they are vulnerable.  Young women are raised to be alert and aware - that danger may be lurking in the shadows.  Women are taught to avoid traveling alone - or at night - if they can help it.  The idea that women are vulnerable is complex.  Some argue that the nature of women's victimization, particularly sexual victimization, is as heinous as it gets.  Others would argue that women are taught to limit themselves and their behaviors, when the real threat isn't from a stranger, but most likely from an intimate partner.
In this module we will devote some time to examining the problem of sexual victimization.  Sexual victimization is one of the most brutal types of victimization - second only in its impact to homicide.  In this module we will explore the various types of sexual victimization, from stranger rape to date rape to marital rape, and even the rape of children.   While there is no doubt that sexual victimization is horrific, this is a crime that remained largely "invisible" until the 1970's and 1980's.  Crimes that occur within in the family, such as marital rape and incest, were particularly closed to public view and slow to be defined as social problems.
Sexual assault and rape constitute two offenses with very low reporting rates.  Many victims elect not to call the police.  There are many motivations behind this decision, including fear and shame.  Unfortunately, victim blaming both privately and publicly may contribute to low reporting rates.   For some victims, defining as a victim of sexual assault is problematic.  Victims may be unsure whether they are "real" victims, or whether what happened to them constitutes a criminal offense. 
Once a victim engages the criminal justice system it is vital that we avoid system revictimization.  As you read, think about the nature of victim interaction with the system, beginning with law enforcement, progressing though the court process, and ending with the correctional system.  How can women who have been sexually victimized be protected at each stage of the process?
Finally, module 2 includes a discussion of two often related topics:  stalking and intimate partner abuse (IPA).  Intimate partner abuse is a broad term which includes a variety of behaviors between partners; ranging from emotional abuse to physical violence.  While many of us associate stalking with celebrities and dignitaries, it is far more likely to occur between individuals who are in an intimate relationship or ending an intimate relationship.  Stalking is common in violent IPA scenarios, especially when the victim attempts to divest themselves of the offender romantically. 
As you read through the material assigned, pay close attention to the cultural myths of IPA.  What kind of stereotypes do we have regarding abusers?  What kind of stereotypes do we have regarding victims?  Often we view both as being undereducated and lacking opportunity, but IPA impacts all types of individuals.  As you examine this very complex issue, imagine victims from all walks of life - from women who lack resources in the extreme to more affluent victims. What are the issues they face?
One of the most frustrating questions regarding victims of IPA is:  why do they stay?  There is no easy answer to this question.  There are dozens of factors which may tie a victim to an abuser - none of which can be defined as "love."  The average IPA victim will return to the abuser approximately seven times before finally leaving.  Even more troubling, we must consider the way our society responds to victims - do we support them, or blame them for their own abuse?
Unfortunately, both stalking and IPA are common offenses. These are issues you will almost certainly encounter, no matter which area of the criminal justice system you become a part of.  As you participate in the discussion board and respond to the assignment, consider your preconceptions of these issues and whether or not your views on IPA have been challenged.
Module 2 Readings
Attached Files:
o      370_Chapter 8_4thed.ppt (665.5 KB)
o      370_Chapter 9_4thed.ppt (901 KB)
Chapter 8 Focusing on Sexual Abuse 323-374
*You are not responsible for the chart "Studies from Around the World" 368-373
Chapter 9:  Intimate Partner Abuse and Stalking 387-449
*You are not responsible for the chart "Studies from Around the World" 436-448
o      370_Chapter 8_4thed.ppt (665.5 KB)
                       


   

o      370_Chapter 9_4thed.ppt (901 KB)