It Only Took 82 Years For FBI To Broaden Definition Of Rape

By Margaret Hartmann | October 21, 2011 | 3:00pm

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Yesterday a FBI subcommittee recommended that the agency’s definition of rape be updated for the first time since 1929. According to the current definition, only crimes that fit this description are included in the FBI’s annual crime report, which helps determine how resources will be allocated:

The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Rapes by force and attempts or assaults to rape, regardless of the age of the victim, are included. Statutory offenses (no force used―victim under age of consent) are excluded.

The new definition will include anal and oral rape, as well as rapes involving male victims. The update is subject to approval by a full advisory board, which meets in December. Carol Tracy, executive director of the Women’s Law Project in Philadelphia, said, “What I’m happiest about is that such a clear consensus is emerging from law enforcement officials all over the country that this has to happen.”