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Teresa Scalzo
Program Manager and Senior Attorney, Violence Against Women Program
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The Office on Violence Against Women hosted the National Sexual Violence Collaboration Meeting in Chicago, June 9-10, 2004. The meeting examined ways to improve the handling of cases of sexual violence and fill gaps in services to victims. Attendees included Denver District Attorney William Ritter, as well as Roger Canaff and Teresa Scalzo from APRI.
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Jennifer Long joined APRI as a Senior Attorney in July 2004. Previously, she worked in the Philadelphia DA’s Office, where she prosecuted domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse cases. She also worked as a child advocate during her time in private practice.
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Meeting participants identified the public’s belief in rape myths as a barrier to success in sexual assault prosecutions. The stereotype of “real rape” is alive and well. For example, the average juror believes that strangers only commit rape; all rapists use weapons to viciously attack and injure women; all women resist to the utmost of their ability; and all women immediately report the crime to the police. Reality is quite different. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (Bureau of Justice Statistics, August 2003), 69% of the rapes committed in 2002 were perpetrated by someone known to the victim; only 4% involved the use of a gun; only 2% involved the use of a knife; and 67% of rape victims suffered no physical injury other than the rape.
By educating the public about the realities of rape, we can educate future jurors about rape myths, which will ultimately result in more convictions when rape cases are taken to trial. Education will enable our communities to recognize the seriousness of nonstranger rape and the fallacy of the stereotype of “real rape.”
APRI volunteered to assist prosecutors by creating materials that they can use when speaking to the media, schools and community groups. To succeed, we need help from the people on the front lines who personally face the frustrations and difficulties of sexual assault prosecutions. What educational resources do prosecutors need? What topics should be addressed? Please contact us with any ideas or suggestions at 703-549-4253, or vawa@ndaa-apri.org.
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