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Description
This authoritative one-stop resource helps readers understand the problem of sexual assault in the USA, including societal factors, notorious cases, laws and practices, victim advocacy and reform efforts, and keys to recovery.
Rape and Sexual Assault: A Reference Handbook discusses who is being victimized, who is perpetrating the offenses, and what can be done (and is being done) to reduce rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment in homes and communities across America. The volume also explores the role that investigative shortcomings and rape culture have played in facilitating sexual assault and abuse, and how shifts in attitude and policy could combat this devastating crime.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. Background and History
Introduction
Terminology
Theories of Sexual Violence
– Biology/Evolutionary
– Psychopathology
– Social Learning and Gender Socialization
– Feminist Perspectives on Rape and Rape Culture
– Culture of Violence
Historical Overview
– Marital Rape
– Rape as a Weapon in War
– Rape on Campus
– America's Most Underreported Crime
– Male and LGBT Victims of Rape
– Misconceptions about Rapists
– Risk Factors for Sexual Assault Victimization
– Activism
– New Laws and Policies
Conclusion
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Problems in Serving Justice
– An Underreported Crime
– Challenges of Pursuing Sexual Assault Investigations
– The Rape Kit Backlog
– Statutes of Limitations
– Failure to Believe and False Accusation Rates
Punishments and Treatments
– Therapeutic Sex Offender Treatments
– Medical Treatments for Sex Offenders
– Supervision and Registration
– Restorative Justice
Sexual Misconduct on Campus
– Obama Administration Policies on Sexual Assault on Campus
– Trump Administration Policies on Sexual Assault on Campus
– Biden Administration Policies on Sexual Assault on Campus
– School Disciplinary Boards versus the Criminal Justice System
The U.S. Military and Sexual Misconduct
– Challenges in Reporting
– Challenges Posed by the Chain of Command
Solutions
– Activism
– Legislation
– Affirmative Consent and Consent Education
– Bystander Intervention
– Rape Prevention
– Dismantling Rape Culture
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Introduction
Behind the Hotline, Lindsey Breslin
Working at a Child Advocacy Center, Robin Friesen-Holwell
You Are Not Alone: The Perspective of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Elyse Diewald
More Than JUST Words: Integrating Trauma Informed Practices into Justice System Responses, Elisa Carias
Perspectives from the Field: Campus Sexual Assault Prevention, Teresa Wroe
Reflections from My Work with Survivors, Eve Wesson
Lessons I Never Wanted to Learn, Annie O'Brien
Was It Really Ok?, Gavrielle Mayman
Unburying Trauma, Giovanni Alexis Venzor Melendez
4. Profiles
Introduction
Selected Cases: Organizations
– Armed Forces, U.S.
– Boy Scouts of America (Scouts BSA)
– Catholic Church
Selected Cases: Individuals
– Bill Cosby (1937–)
– Jeffrey Epstein (1953–2019)
– R. Kelly (1967–)
– Larry Nassar (1963–)
– Harvey Weinstein (1952–)
Prominent Politicians
Selected Activists
– Tarana J. Burke (1973–)
– Christine Blasey Ford (1966–)
– Anita Hill (1956–)
– Mary P. Koss
– Rachel Lloyd (1975–)
– Chanel Miller (1992–)
– Denis Mukwege (1955–) and Nadia Murad (1993–)
Campus Activists and Organizations
National Anti-Sexual Assault Organizations
References
5. Data and Documents
Introduction
Data
– Table 5.1 Reasons for Not Reporting Sexual Assault Prevalence
– Figure 5.1 Locations of Sexual Assault
– Figure 5.2 Most Perpetrators Are Known to the Victim
– Table 5.2 Number of Known Untested Rape Kits
– Table 5.3 Elementary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary Schools with Open Investigations for Possible Title IX Violations for Mishandling Sexual Assault Cases
Documents
– Victims of Crime Act (1984)
– Clery Act (1990)
– Violence Against Women Act (1994)
– Prison Rape Elimination Act (2003)
– Enough is Enough Act (2015)
– Victim's Impact Statement in Stanford Rape Sentencing (2016)
– National Defense Authorization Act (Fiscal Year 2022)
6. Resources
Introduction
Books
– Sexual Assault
– Memoirs
– Resources for Healing
Select Journal Articles and Research Reports (2010–Present)
Documentaries/Docuseries
Podcasts
Activism
Nonprofits, Organizations, Programs, and Campaigns
7. Chronology
Glossary
Index
Product details
| Published | 23 Jul 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 344 |
| ISBN | 9798216494430 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Illustrations | 7 bw illus |
| Dimensions | 229 x 152 mm |
| Series | Contemporary World Issues |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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