Historical context Rape in the United States

against our will: men, women, , rape, 1975 book susan brownmiller.

rape, in many states, before 1970s, incur capital punishment. 1977 supreme court case of coker v. georgia held eighth amendment united states constitution forbade death penalty crime of rape of adult woman. court held life on victim of murderer; rape victim, life may not happy was, not over, , not beyond repair .

feminism politicized , publicized rape institution in late 20th century.

new york radical feminists held rape speak out, women discussed rape expression of male violence against women, , organized women establish rape crisis centers , work towards reforming existing rape laws. first attempt focus political attention on issue of rape.

feminist writings on rape include against our will: men, women, , rape, susan brownmiller. concepts such date rape , marital rape brought public attention.

the murder of megan kanka, occurred in 1994 in new jersey, when seven-year-old girl raped , murdered neighbor, has led introduction of megan s law, laws require law enforcement disclose details relating location of registered sex offenders.

several developments in regard rape legislation have occurred in 21st century. following intensely publicized case of 2005 murder of jessica lunsford, 9-year-old girl florida kidnapped, raped , murdered man prior convictions sexual attacks, states have started enacting laws referred jessica s law, typically mandate life imprisonment mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, , lifetime electronic monitoring, adults convicted of raping children under 12 years. furthermore, sex offender registries contain other sanctions, such housing , presence restrictions.