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By on August 28, 2012

Troubling definitions of rape over time

The Code of Hammurabi defines rape of a virgin as property damage against her father.
The Code of Hammurabi defines rape of a virgin as property damage against her father.

“Men have been in the business of deciding when it is okay and when it is not okay to rape women for thousands of years.” In a recent Mother Jones article, Erika Eichelberger details a long list of troubling definitions of rape from the Code of Hammurabi to Missouri’s Rep. Todd Akin’s recent “legitimate rape” comments.

In order to prevent rape we have to be able to define rape in a manner that respects women and holds accountable those who commit rape without blaming the victim. What are the helpful definitions that you use to prevent rape?

Check out this article here.

Photo by wallyg from Flickr. Create Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

 

 

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