Addressing Rape Reform in Law and Practice

Susan Caringella explores the legal definitions and prosecution of rapeespecially dateacquaintance rape deconstructing the myths and rhetoric usedto blame the v... » 

Susan Caringella explores the legal definitions and prosecution of rapeespecially dateacquaintance rape deconstructing the myths and rhetoric usedto blame the victim and presenting practical solutions to the problem of rapereform. Drawing on feminist and critical theory in sociology and criminologyas well as conservative and liberal theory in political science this bookassesses alternative models of rape reform relying on concrete court cases andstatistical data and the fascinating revelations of public opinion and attitudestudies which showcase the discrimination and humiliation rape victims facewhen they go public.Susan Caringellas painstaking provocative and highly readable researchprobes every aspect of rape law and the discrepancies between enacted andimplemented law or ideal law on the books and real law law in action. Shecanvasses the success and failures of reform in the United States as well asAustralia Britain Canada and New Zealand and uniquely delineates a creativealternative model for change with an eye toward practicality. She furtheraddresses the discretion that permeates criminal justice decisionmaking andundermines efforts at reform. These issues include charging the accused andplea bargaining confronting a lack of transparency and accountability inimplementing law and acquiring funding for affecting change. Caringella writesthe first comprehensive book on rape since Susan Brownmillers Against Our Will1975 and Susan Estrichs Real Rape 1987 and touches on such moderndaycases as the University of Colorado rapes the Kobe Bryant case and theaccusations lodged against the Duke lacrosse team. «