Rape Is Rape: How Denial, Distortion, and Victim Blaming Are Fueling a Hidden Acquaintance Rape Crisis

More than 80 percent of rapes in the United States are committed by someone the victim knows-colleagues, dates, friends, or family members. But the clichéd image of a violent stranger lurking in an alley has so distorted the media and the public's view of rape that many no longer recognize the majority of rape cases as "real" but rather as mere alcohol-fueled miscommunications. Rape Is Rape reveals how the tactics used by rape deniers-who, shockingly, include both conservatives and some self-styled feminists-endanger the rights of women, condone the behavior of serial rapists, and adversely affect victims and judicial outcomes. Through emotionally charged interviews with victims; a thorough analysis of current rape research, government statistics, and medical and judicial records; and examination of a number of recent high-profile cases, author Jody Raphael reveals how widespread victim blaming and distortion of the facts are being used to further political agendas. She outlines prescriptive measures universities, hospitals, and police can take not only to end indifference and prejudicial attitudes within their own ranks but also to fairly and effectively aid and empower victims of rape. A balanced yet poignant discussion of an issue that's been maligned and misunderstood for too long, Rape Is Rape is a call to action to protect the human rights of women and girls and end the acquaintance rape crisis. Jody Raphael, JD, is an attorney and a senior research fellow at the Family Law Center at DePaul University College of Law. She is the author of a popular trilogy of books on women, poverty, and violence.