Feminists drew attention to the fact that rape (then conceptualised as sexual intercourse without consent) was a crime committed by men against women, not only in dark back-alleys but in homes, workplaces, and in the context of intimate and family relationships (see Brownmiller 1975).

Feminism responsible for debunking some of the myths about rape

• women “ask for it” and enjoy rape;

• men have uncontrollable sexual urges.

In a recent report of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence, sexual violence was defined in the following terms:

Sexual violence includes a range of violent behaviours. It can include unwanted touching, sexual harassment and intimidation, coerced sexual activity, sexual assault and rape and can include other physical violence and threat to life.

(Dean, Hardiman & Draper 1998, p. iii)

Sexual violence is both a consequence of, and reinforcement of, power disparities between i

As sexual violence is considered a predominantly “female” crime, and the myths that men cannot be victims of sexual assault are enduring, it is very difficult for men to come forward and report the crime to police.

Relationship Between Victim and Offender

The result of these initiatives is that many sexual assault services around Australia now enjoy a vastly improved, if not always perfect, relationship with the police in their area. While formal evaluations of these services appear to be lacking, anecdotal evidence suggests that victims of sexual assault are now much more likely to receive sensitive and appropriate treatment from the police, particularly once the specialist units are activated.

Some topics in this essay:
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