Atty. Gen. Eric Holder
In the first change to the definition of rape since 1927, the U.S. Justice Department has annoounced it will now include men as victims, according to Attorney General Eric Holder.
The definition used for almost a century was, “The carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.”
The new definition released in a press release today is, “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
“These long overdue updates to the definition of rape will help ensure justice for those whose lives have been devastated by sexual violence and reflect the Department of Justice’s commitment to standing with rape victims,” Attorney General Holder wrote in his press release. “This new, more inclusive definition will provide us with a more accurate understanding of the scope and volume of these crimes.”
