FBI to expand definition of rape to include more crimes [View all]

[Survivoreesta]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's recent decision to update its narrow definition of rape could correct what advocates have described as chronic undercounting of the crime in communities nationwide.

FBI Director Robert Mueller told a U.S. Senate panel on Dec. 14 that he would accept a recommendation to update the agency's definition of rape, according to a video of the hearing aired on C-SPAN. He said he expected the change to go into effect "sometime in the spring."

For about 80 years, the FBI has defined rape as "the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will," officials said. Only sexual assaults that fit the narrow definition are counted as rape in the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Reporting program ---- the crime data that policymakers and the public most often see.

"That definition was in some ways unworkable, certainly not applicable ---- fully applicable ---- to the types of crimes that it should cover," Mueller said of the definition during the senate hearing.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/region-fbi-to-expand-definition-of-rape-to-include-more/article_e994cb9f-06cd-5c32-9199-b75eb84bca95.html#ixzz1iKxDI0Ms


About time!!