From: dan@cubmol.bio.columbia.edu (Daniel Zabetakis)
Newsgroups: talk.rape
Subject: Re: What about date rape? (was: Prostitution as a cure...)
Date: 9 Oct 92 19:50:18 GMT
Distribution: talk.rape
Organization: Columbia University, Dept. of Biological Sciences.

In article <Bvv50n.LGp@news.udel.edu> don@chester (Don McCoy) writes:
>In article <1992Oct7.145323.18214@news.columbia.edu> dan@cubmol.bio.columbia.edu (Daniel Zabetakis) writes:
>>
>>   What about date rape?
>   ----[a few lines deleted]
>>   In at least some of the date rape cases I hAve heard of, it seems that
>>the situation was one where the attacker very much desired sexual activity,
>>but consent was not forthcoming. It seems to me that these cases could be
>>subject to interference by the proximity of prostitution.
>>
>   ----[rest of article deleted]
>
>	Now let's see:  Your premise is that if these needs were
>satisfied by some acceptable means, then the incidence of sexual
>assault would decrease accordingly.  Your conclusion states that
>prostitution should therefore be legal since that would satisfy
>the needs of many potential rapists.  Did I get that right?
>
    Not quite right, but the substance is correct. I was making a weaker
case than you suppose. I am only talking about _some_ cases of date rape.
I also didn't advocate legal prostitution. Specifically I meant to suggest
a situation where prostitution was legal safe and convinient (a big if).

>	This seems to be a valid argument (i.e. the conclusion
>would be true *IF* the premise is true).  However, I do not 
>believe that your premise is true.  From what I know about 
>rape, including date rape, it more to do with the intent to do
>violence to another then it has to do with the release of sexual
>tension.  
>
    The cases of date rape I refered to were cases where there was little
or no volence. I don't think they are very rare, but real studies on date
rape are not in abundance.
    Several cases I have read the details of have been of the sort where
the 'time and place' of the crime was appropriate for sexual activity.
The people invloved may have been on a date or at a party, or may even 
be having a steady relationship. They end up in a private place and may 
even be engaging in non-sexual romantic activity. This is a situation where
sex could easily occure, but consent is not forthcoming on the side of
one person. If the other person then forces sex, it is date rape. There
need not even be any clear threat of violence.
    My study of date rape has not been extensive, but this is the case
in several of the few cases I have read about. I am also not talking
about the reletive merit of the cases. 
    I think this sort of thing derives from the fact that in order to have
sex, you have to date. So you have cases where people expectations conflict.
One person of the pair is specifically lookiing for sex. 
   If there were prostitutes _easily_ available, then I think you could
lessen this specific form of date rape.

   Like I said, not a very strong statment.

DanZ

-- 
    "I think it is a little premature to attribute the failures of American
     foriegn policy to Carl Kadie."
                                                     -Mike Godwin
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