rape crisis

HOT LETTER

IWY RAPE RESOLUTION

The following resolution on rape, passed by a workshop at IWY, was written in cooperation with the Centers in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus.

WHEREAS rape is a politically violent crime against women,

with damaging consequences extending beyond the actual victims to all women, and whereas rape effects the quality of all women's lives and the community as a whole and is neither treated appropriately nor can be treated appropriately unless the danger women face is acknowledged and women are given the resources and support they need to fight this crime effectively, let it be resolved that Federal, State and Local governments should recognize that the prime focus of rape prevention programs should be the elimination of all women's vulnerability to rape through structural change in institutions, and related sexist attitudes and practices, that contribute to the domination of women by men and viewing of women as sexual prey.

Specifically, that prosecuting rapists and teaching women to avoid risks be rejected as prevention approaches since the first, while necessary, is punishment after the act and the second further limits women's lives, while neither address systemic change. Further more, the government shall make funds available directly to women's groups organized for the purpose of eliminating rape and to independent rape crisis centers so that these groups can autonomously provide counseling for persons seeking their services, consultation and education services to agencies in the community who come in touch with either victims of sexual assault or sex offenders self-defense courses for women to upgrade and better their skills to deal with actual assault situations, and primary rape prevention programs and public education about rape for communities.

Let it be resolved that: the State of Ohio fund selfdefense training programs for girls in grades K-12 in the public school system; that the State of Ohio fund self-defense curricula within the physical education departments in state universities and that furthermore that the State of Ohio shall revise laws so that penalties for rape and related offenses can be determined according to the degree of violence involved. Let it be resolved that: rape and related offenses be reclassified; that spousal exculsion clauses be eliminated from rape and related offenses; that assault will apply to assault by or upon both sexes in rape and related offenses; that the offenses be reclassified as violent assaults against persons rather than sex crimes; that spousal exculsion clauses be eliminsted from rape and related offenses; that assault will apply to assaul by or upon both sexes in rape and related offenses; that the charge of corruption of a minor be eliminated from the statutes; and that the State of Ohio shall fund regional rehabilitation centers for offenders convicted under rape and related offenses as shall all states; that no assessment be made of victims of rape and related crimes for court costs and medical costs incurred as a result of the assault and/or its aftermath.

These costs shall be absorbed by the appropriate state, county, or municipal entity; that no evidence or testimony of the victim's past sexual history with the accused be admitted in court; that hospitals and private physicians use a uniform evidence collection kit in rape cases; that diethylstilbestrol be eliminated as a treatment in rape cases except where specifically requested by the rape victim; that uniform police and legal procedures be developed with the cooperation of local Rape Crisis Centers for use in rape cases; that any person convicted of rape will not be eligible for probation, shock probation, parole, shock parole, or suspended sentencing nor released on good behavior. And that records of persons reporting sexual offenses while seeking counseling at Rape Crisis Centers be kept with absolute confidentiality and persons receiving such reports be given legal immunity; that funds for Rape Crisis Centers not be dependent upon disclosure of client name or other identifying information; that the use of peer counselors not be legislated against since not all counseling need be professional and peer counselors provide an important service.

Submitted by Caroline Sparks on behalf of Woman Against RAPE, Columbus, Ohio, Women Helping Women Rape Crisis Center, Cincinnati, Ohio and the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Cleveland, Ohio

NEW PREGNANCY TEST

There is a new pregnancy test which is now avail. able at Center for Reproductive Health which will be of particular interest to women who have been raped. The test, which is called Biocept-G, can detect a pregnancy as soon as six days after intercourse. Victims of rape may benefit from this test in two ways. Women who suspect that they could already be pregnant at the time of the assault, but for whom it is too early to tell from the urine pregnancy test would be able to be tested immediately after the rape and would therefore be sure about the origin of pregnancy. Otherwise it will save many women from weeks of angonizing waiting to determine if they did become pregnant as a result of being raped. This would enable them to have an early procedure if they want.

The Blocept-G is a blood test which is said to be "almost 100% accurate." The test is performed by taking a few drops of blood from the woman's finger. The blood is mixed with radioactive iodine. Within the next two hours a radioreceptorassy measures the level of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in the blood. If there is a lot of HCG, a pregnancy is indicated. The test costs $5.00.

The only drawback to the new test is the fact that it requires the use of radioactive materials. While this does not directly affect the women being tested, it ultimately affects all of us in that it leaves nuclear wastes. Providing this kind of service to victims of rape, however, can be very psychologically beneficial for the few women for whom pregnancy is a potential problem following a rape.

JOB OPENING AT CRCC

CRCC is now accepting applications for a part time position for an office manager. We are looking for someone who is a skilled typist and able to work within a loosely structured framework. The job will require primarily office organizational abilities. Beyond that it is a flexible position with other duties being somewhat dependent on the interests and abilities of the person in the position. Pay is $5./hour for a 20 hour week. Benefits include hospitilization and free parking. Any added benefits would be commensurate with the rest of the paid staff. Resumees will be accepted until July 15. Send them to CRCC, 3201 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Oh 44115

DISCO NIGHT A SUCCESS

The fund raising Disco Night held on June 10 at Jim Swingos was a success! Not only did everybody have fun but we actually raised $600. at the same time. The money will be used to produce an educational slide show on rape which is geared towards junior and senior high school students. We have been wanting to do this for nine months so it is very gratifying to have the budget to make it a reality. Future fund raising projects during this funding year will be similarly earmarked for specific needs and projects within the Center.

THANK YOU to everyone who made contributions to ensure the success of the event. We had a tremendous amount of support and cooperation from everyone at the Center which helped to get the word out and to sell tickets. We could never have done it if we hadn't worked so well together.

RAPE IS WAR

It is the tradition of the patriarchy to conquer and possess. The capacity for dehumanizing, the equa`tion of manhood with the domination of another's body, is carried over from sex into war. An invading army violates the land and rapes the women. War is the ultimate act of coercion inflicted on a people and their country. Rape is the ultimate act of coercion inflicted on women by men. Rape is war! (from a poster from Women's Graphics Collective 3100 N. Southport, Chicago, III. 60657

391-3912

If anyone at the Center has noticed that it has seemed to be somewhat busy during the last few months, they were right. During the entire year 1976 the Center received a total of 1833 calls for counseling and for information. During the first five monuts of 1977 we have already received 1185 of the same kinds of calls. No wonder it seems busy!

CRCC is now selling t-shirts with our logo on the front. They are available in a variety of colors and sizes at our offices. The price is $4.99.

July, 1977/What She Wants/page 5