Sex crimes in Lawrence (rape, aggravated criminal sodomy)
• 2006: 48, 20
• 2007: 48, 20
• 2008: 40, 6
• 2009: 57, 21
• 2010: 40, 15
— Rape numbers provided by FBI annual statistics; aggravated criminal sodomy numbers provided by the Lawrence Police Department.
The number of local and state rapes reported in FBI statistics will most likely increase in 2012 because of a recent change in how the crime is defined.
Earlier this month, the Obama administration made changes to the FBI’s 83-year-old definition of rape, used in the annual Uniform Crime Report, or UCR.
The previous definition only counted forcible intercourse with a woman as rape, and the expanded definition includes offenses against men and crimes in which the victim is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol. In addition, the new definition includes cases of “oral penetration by a sex organ of another person.”
Local police agencies, such as the Lawrence Police Department, submit statistics to the FBI based on the FBI definition and not Kansas law, which currently defines rape as forced sexual intercourse against either gender. Oral penetration, however, is classified under the state’s aggravated criminal sodomy statute.
The change will result in a “much broader definition” of rape and will be more accurate, said Bridget Patton, FBI spokeswoman.
Joyce Grover, executive director at the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, said that while the move doesn’t change any laws, more accurate statistics on rape could impact funding and grants. The change was long overdue, Grover said, and she’s “pleased someone in the U.S. Department of Justice made this a priority.”
Between 2006 and 2010, the number of aggravated criminal sodomies reported to Lawrence police averaged about 17 per year. Under the change, those numbers would be categorized as rape in FBI statistics. In 2010, that would’ve spiked the Lawrence numbers reported to the FBI from 40 to 55 rapes.
Comments
mloburgio 1 year, 3 months ago
Republicans think rape isn’t a crime, but miscarriages are.
jhawkinsf 1 year, 3 months ago
This article makes no mention of Democrats or Republicans being for or against anything related to this discussion. While you're free to inject any opinion you choose, it should be noted that your opinion is an attempt at deception.
Getaroom 1 year, 3 months ago
It's about time this definition was brought into the light of day but I suppose this is yet another thing Obama haters will seek to overturn, just because it was put forward by a black president.
Speaking of Republicans and "miscarriages", if we ever manage to abort the Supreme Kochs "personhooding" of Corporations( made possible through DNA gene splicing with the K Brothers) and the raping of Democracy that has followed, just imagine how much Bible thumping and screaming will come out of the collective mouths of the Tea Party!
Now that would be a day worthy of the designation "Global Holiday"!
A vacation mansion and luxury yacht for everyone! Hip Hip Hurrah!!
LarryNative 1 year, 3 months ago
Repubs think that miscarriages are a crime? Maybe repubs believe in the miscarriage of justice but I dont believe repubs want to lock women up for not carrying a baby to full term.
cait48 1 year, 3 months ago
You really think not? I suggest you read this, then: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/cait48/2011/apr/2/the-war-on-women/
superswagg56 1 year, 3 months ago
Why not? Add something else to an already overloaded judicial system!!
deec 1 year, 3 months ago
Sexual assaults are already a crime. Changing how sexual assaults are categorized does not increase the number of attacks.
RoeDapple 1 year, 3 months ago
Always amazed to see what a few dip$hits "think" I believe. Leads me to believe they have lost all thinking ability. Makes it that much more important that I don't think like them . . .
Kudos to the present administration on updating this law.
Ockhams_Razor 1 year, 3 months ago
I'm guessing "open marriage" is still outside the definition of sodomy, so Newt is ok.
culturechange 1 year, 3 months ago
That was the intent. The broader the definition, the more cases to report and the more than can scream about it "being rampant".
deec 1 year, 3 months ago
Sexual assault is rampant. http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32306 http://www.feminist.com/antiviolence/facts.html
deec 1 year, 3 months ago
"In a study conducted by the Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers interviewed 8,000 women and 8,000 men. Using a definition of rape that includes forced vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse, the survey found that 1 in 6 women had experienced an attempted rape or a completed rape. " http://www.911rape.org/facts-quotes/statistics
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