How Long Is Too Long to Report Rape?
Advocates want to end the statute of limitations on civil and criminal litigation against rapists and child molesters.
New York's Rape is Rape (http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/02/26/why-rape-still-isnt-considered-rape-new-york-state) bill—which would include forced oral and anal penetration in the legal definition of rape—suffered a huge setback last week when a major Republican backer of the bill, New York State Senator Catharine Young, retracted her support, arguing that juries will reject the idea that forced anal or oral penetration constitutes rape and refuse to convict (http://www.takepart.com/photos/your-takepart-gallery-everyday-outrages/california-rape-isnt-rape-because-the-victim-wasnt-married).
That notion is a slap in the face to people like Andrew Willis (http://www.causes.com/ajswillis).
"I may not have a vagina, but I was raped as a child," Willis tells TakePart.
It took Willis decades and a 2008 suicide attempt before he finally came to terms with his abuse.
Then, he became an advocate.
Willis is the cofounder of Stop Abuse Campaign (http://www.causes.com/AbuseStoppers). His organization is at the forefront of attempting to bring New York's (and the rest of America's) rape laws into the 21st century. Not only is Stop Abuse Campaign one of the primary backers of New York's Rape is Rape bill, it is making a nationwide push to end civil and criminal statutes of limitations on reporting crimes of sexual violence—particularly sexual crimes against children.
In Minnesota, Stop Abuse Campaign is backing the Child Victims Act (http://www.causes.com/actions/1731244-pass-the-child-victims-act-in-minnesota-and-stopabuse?ctm=recommended_activities), which would end the statute of limitations on civil litigation against perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Minnesota law currently states that child victims have until six years after they turn 18 to bring legal action against their attacker.
Willis argues that allowing civil litigation isn't just about compensating victims—it can be a means of preventing further abuse (http://www.takepart.com/article/2010/04/01/casa-every-month-child-abuse-prevention-month):
Read the full story on takepart.com (http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/03/08/how-long-too-long-report-rape)
By Matthew Fleischer (http://www.takepart.com/author/matthew-fleischer)
Support our petition to Call A Rape a Rape in New York State: www.causes/com/RedefineRape
Please support our Child Victims Act petitions in your state:
www.causes.com/california (http://www.causes.com/california)
www.causes.com/florida (http://www.causes.com/florida)
Massachusetts (http://www.causes.com/causes/967673-give-massachusetts-abuse-victims-back-their-rights)
www.causes.com/minnesota (http://www.causes.com/minnesota)
Indianna (http://www.causes.com/causes/967362-give-indiana-child-abuse-victims-back-their-rights)
Nebraska (http://www.causes.com/causes/967365-give-nebraska-abuse-victims-back-their-rights)
www.causes.com/newjersey (http://www.causes.com/newjersey)
www.causes.com/newyork (http://www.causes.com/newyork)
www.causes.com/oregon (http://www.causes.com/oregon)
UPDATE #1
Dear supporters,
We need everyone's signature this one. It only takes a quick second to add your name and make a real impact on stopping abuse.
Sign Petition Here (https://www.causes.com/actions/1730352-pass-the-rape-is-rape-bill-in-new-york-and-stopabuse)
Many state laws that govern rape in this country exclude both oral and anal penetration? Only proof of vaginal penetration can is rape and if you were penetrated either orally or anally or if you are a man, then you weren't raped, only assaulted sexually. Wonder why more don't come forward? There's your answer.
So, men cannot be raped.(nice to know...wish it were true!) How can oral and anal penetration not count? Shocked? We were. Today, we are working hard in state houses all over the country to end the injustice men and women everywhere and we need your help. Help us pass the Rape is Rape bill.
We can change these laws and all it takes is making people like you, active in making it happen. With every signature added, our petition gets clearer and louder and harder to ignore by the lawmakers reluctant to change. Be the change you wish to see in the world and add your name to supporters. It's time we call a rape, a rape.
Please take a second and sign this petition and share it among all your friends and family. No longer can we accept a law that tells victims of rape, that it was simply a case of sexual assault and thereby letting another rapist off the hook to rape again
For all you do to stop abuse, thank you!
Kenny and Andrew
Sign the Petition Here (https://www.causes.com/actions/1730352-pass-the-rape-is-rape-bill-in-new-york-and-stopabuse)
UPDATE #2
I'm humbled by all your responses, thank you.
Traditionally rape laws were established to protect from the theft of a women's virtue from her husband or her father. We, society, have moved on but sadly many of the laws governing rape have not.
Cases like Lydia Cuomo's clearly demonstrate how current laws can can result in confusion and hung juries, even when the rapist then confesses.
Over the past year, cases involving Penn State and Syracuse Universities, the Boy Scouts, the Diocese of Philadelphia, the BBC, Poly Prep Day School, Horace Mann School, and Yeshiva University High School have demonstrated that current laws on child sex abuse are just woefully inadequate too.
Many of you have asked where the petition is for your state, and we'd like to have one there for you - but changing state laws needs state leadership.
If you would like to lead, or participate in leading, a Stop Abuse Campaign cause for your state please click this link and discover if its for you. (http://www.causes.com/actions/1738220-bring-the-stop-abuse-campaign-to-your-state)
Meanwhile please continue to support our petition to redefine rape (http://www.causes.com/redefinerape) and our Child Victims Act (http://www.causes.com/actions/1729962-support-your-state-cause-so-survivors-get-the-justice-they-deserve) petitions and thank you for everything you do to stop abuse.
Andrew (mailto:info@stopabusecampaign.org)
PS. Please share the petitions with your friends, it's the only way to get the message out effectively. Thanks, we're counting on you!