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Annotated Outline - CJUS Writing
Criminal Justice Research and Writing (Liberty
University)
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Thesis Statement - Prison rape is a common occurrence among male and female inmates and
needs to be addressed. This research is needed to shine light on how victims of prison rape face
psychological consequences and how the violence can be prevented.
Prison Rape Prevalence
I. For decades, prison rape was thought of as a myth, or even a joke, that is until a group
of people started taking the issue seriously in 2003 and pushed for the Prison Rape
Elimination Act. Since then, it has been looked at as a real issue. In 2012, prison rape
numbers started to exponentially increase. With allegations jumping from a total of
8,768 in 2011, to 24,661 by the end of 2015. (Santo, 2018)
II. Out of all the allegations, however, officials found that only about 8.5% came out to
be true. (Santo, 2018). As for the rest of the allegations, they were decided to be
false or not supported well enough with evidence to claim as true. That is, until a
skeptic, Lovissa Stannow, wondered why there was such a high number of false
allegations.
Psychological Consequences
I. Similarly compared to different traumatic experiences rape victims experience more
severe symptoms of PTSD. Recent research shows that about a third of sexual assault
victims meet the criteria for PTSD. The victims tend to start to show symptoms of
full- blown PTSD within a month of the rape. (Dworkin, 2019).
II. Among the various trauma types, women are more likely to experience PTSD
symptoms than men. However, there aren’t any prevalent gender differences after
sexual assault. There also are no prevalent racial differences in PTSD of rape
victims.
Violence Prevention
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I. The definition of prevention is to address a problem before it occurs. The prison rape
and violence are prevalent problems and prevention could mean creating a safer
environment within the prisons. It could also means creating norms within the prisons
that won’t lead to sexual assaults and violence.
II. A biblical worldview could propose many options for violence prevention throughout
prisons. One option may be offering more access to religion within the jails and
prisons. Another could be teaching Christian morals such as grace and kindness and
loving thy neighbor.
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Reference
Dworkin, E. R., Ojalehto, H. J., Brill, C. D, Fitzpatrick, S., et. al. (2019). Understanding PTSD
and sexual assault. Handbook of Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault Prevention. pp. 293-
303. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23645-8_17
McMahon, S., Wood, L., & Cusano, J. (2019). Theories of sexual violence prevention.
Handbook of Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault Prevention. pp. 383-
394. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23645-8_23
Ratkalkar, M., Atkin-Plunk, C.A. (2017). Can I ask for help? The relationship among
incarcerated males’ sexual orientation, sexual abuse history, and perceptions of rape in
prison. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177%2F0886260517714440
Santo, A. (2018). Prison rape allegations are on the rise. The Marshall Project.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/07/25/prison-rape-allegations-are-on-the-rise
Smith, B. V. (2020). Promise amid peril: PREA’s efforts to regulate an end to prison rape.
American Criminal Law Review, 57(4).
http://bi.gale.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/global/article/GALE%7CA627506528?
u=vic_liberty
