Feminist Perspectives on Rape

Abstract

This chapter discusses feminist perspectives on rape. Although the proper definition of rape is itself a matter of some dispute, rape is generally understood to involve sexual penetration of a person by force and/or without that person's consent. The chapter argues that men and boys commit rape, usually against women and girls, and sometimes against other men and boys. Nonetheless, this chapter assumes male perpetrators and female victims. Virtually all feminists agree that rape is a grave wrong, one too often ignored, mischaracterised, and legitimised. The chapter argues that feminists differ, however, about how the crime of rape is best understood, and about how rape should be combated both legally and socially. The chapter also discussed racial rapes in the USA and war and genocidal rapes in Rwanda and Serbia.