As much as the issue of female offenders is often not thought about or discussed there is another aspect that is even thought of less. That would be woman to woman rape and abuse. There is not a lot of information or help out there for those that have suffered sexual assault and violence at the hands of a woman. Even less when it comes to the lesbians, bisexual or heterosexual women abused by another woman. Lori B. Girshick, Ph.D. has written on this issue numerous times over the years. Here are a few excerpts from a paper she wrote titled NO MORE DENYING: FACING WOMAN TO WOMAN SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
Woman-to-woman sexual violence is an invisible form of sexual violation because of our denial that women are sexual perpetrators and because violence among lesbians and bisexual women is hidden. But once we face that it exists--as sexual abuse and rape in battering relationships, as date and acquaintance rapes, as sexual abuse by professionals we trust, and as sexual harassment by co-workers--we must admit that our denial has sacrificed the well-being of survivors for the perpetuation of a myth.
I agree. Violence and abuse of any kind is wrong and every person deserves help. People should be treated as people. We are all human beings and that is what matters.
Studies over the past two decades on lesbian sexual violence show a range from a low of five percent to a high of 57 percent of respondents claiming they had experienced attempted or completed sexual assault or rape by another woman, with most studies finding rates of over 30 percent.
These studies confirm that there is a need for resources to help both the victims and perpetrators. A need I know is not being met in many areas.
The denial and legal wording issues that she discusses also still occur today. For example one state has the following language for definitions for a crime reporting system and the data:
FORCIBLE RAPE = The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force are included here; however, statutory rape (without force) and other sex offenses are not included.
The problem? "Carnal knowledge" wording is the problem. This means that a woman forcibly raping another woman would not be covered under this category and is a form of denial. There is another site that talks about this issue and it is HERE. In the excerpts below from that page they say:
Although the majority of rapes are committed by men, women can and do rape.1 As with sexual assaults committed by men, the perpetrator may be a partner, an acquaintance, or a stranger, and it can happen to any woman, regardless of her sexual orientation.
The experiences of women who are sexually assaulted by other women are not widely enough known or discussed. This silence makes it harder for those of us who are sexually assaulted by women to get appropriate health care and support. Service providers, media, educators, and assault survivors can help end this silence by talking more openly about this abuse.
Legally, definitions of rape and sexual assault differ from state to state. Some states define rape as an act perpetrated by a man against a woman. Others use an inclusive definition of sexual assault that does not state the sex of the victim or perpetrator and that lists a range of behaviors such as penetration by object, fingers, or penis.
Because of the widespread ignorance and denial surrounding sexual assault of women by women, those of us who are abused by other women may experience a different sort of shock than women who are raped by men. We also may feel that no one will believe us, and therefore be reluctant to seek help.
Because society does not widely recognize female-perpetrated sexual assault, women who experience it are less likely to call crisis lines or go to therapists immediately after the assault.
All good points. This is an area that needs a lot more resources, trainings, awareness and professionals.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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1 comment:
I've often seen Toms hitting their girlfriends in Asian gogo bars.
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