[Mpls] Rape/Minneapolis

[Michael Atherton]

Jim Graham wrote:

>  Mr. Atherton writes as if he has actual knowledge, or has 
>  reviewed the literature on rape, and perhaps even studied 
>  research statistics in the field.

Since so many people seem incapable of detecting rhetorical
cues, I think that I should point out that when I use
the words, "opinion," "think," or "believe" in a post
it indicates that I'm not promoting my position
as well established fact and that I am also not willing to
extend the effort to create a bibliography of empirical
references to bolster my position.  I have no interest
of writing an extensive empirical review for every
opinion I express.  However, since Mr. Graham does 
appears to be presented his position as fact, I would 
encourage him to post references to justify his statements.

In this case, I thought that I would add a perspective
that hadn't been included in the posts that I'd read and
give people pause enough to think critically about the issue.
 
>  While Mr. Atherton's writing appears quite learned, and at 
>  first seemed as if it described the situation accurately, his 
>  last conclusion could not be more wrong.  

I am not an authority in Women's Studies, nor am I forensic
psychologist, but I did, for some time (~1972-1987), consider 
myself a Feminist and have done a little reading and given these 
issues a little bit of thought.

>From what I have read and observed (casually) it is my
*opinion* that definition of rape is often in conflict
with what the public generally considers rape to be.

Here's an example.  A few years ago a rape was reported
in our neighborhood crime statistics compiled by the
MPD.  As could be expected many residents were concerned.
At our neighborhood association meeting our Safe officer
explained that what was recorded as a rape was an incident
in which a woman was garbed by the arm (I think that she
suffered an injury to her shoulder and that her sleeve might have 
been torn) and the perpetrator also made some type of sexual 
remark.  As it was explained to us, regulations required 
that this assault be recorded as a rape.  I don't know
about you, but it's not normally what I would consider
a rape.  

This also doesn't imply that I don't find rape abhorrent 
and shocking and understand the devastating psychological 
consequences, but I *think* that it's important not to 
misrepresent reality to in order to lobby for sanctions that 
negate the rights of innocent defendants.  That is, I *believe* 
that the scales of justice are no longer balanced between the
rights of the victims and the accused in rape cases.

Since Mr. Graham seems to know so much more about this
issue than I, perhaps he can reassure me that "statutory"
rapes and noninvasive sexual assaults are not included in 
the statistics cited by Feminists.  Note: I am not claiming
that *actual* rapes are not underreported, but just because
they are doesn't justify inflating the statistics by 
including other types of sexual assaults that we would not
normally consider to be rape.

I would also point out that people's opinions on these
issues is often misused as a litmus test for cultural
sensitivity and political correctness.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park