Identifying Rape Victims

In response to your editorial “Identifying an Alleged Victim of Rape” (April 19):

When it comes to victims of rape, we Americans have a double standard. Whether defined as a crime of sex or violence, rape is definitely an act of robbery--a robbery of a woman’s sense of self. The woman’s alleged sexual history and possible indiscretions are dragged out into the public arena.

When she is not the perfect Victorian virgin, the media and/or courts seek to show that somehow she tempted the man. This is pure hogwash. It is a reflection of the Judeo-Christian concept of Eve tempting Adam, which is the basis of America’s rape laws, i.e. assuming the woman’s guilt until proven innocent.

Does a judge or newscaster question the wealthy just after their home has been robbed? Is their wealth the root cause of their being robbery victims? Does anyone ask: What is their home worth? How did they accumulate their wealth? Do they cheat the IRS? Preposterous! Then why must we do the equivalent every time a woman is raped?

It is about time we treated rape victims like robbery victims! It is certainly much easier for the robbed homeowner to replace his material goods than it will ever be for the rape victim to restore her peace of mind, sense of self-worth and mental equilibrium.

Our rape laws and our attitudes must go through a thorough revision so that we can stop victimizing the woman twice!

MAIMOONA M. AHMED

Palos Verdes Estates