Reported rapes decrease

The number of reported rapes is at its lowest in 20 years, according to an FBI survey, but officials warn that doesn't mean there are fewer instances of the crime itself.

"A lack of reporting has always been a huge problem, and still is, because rapes are still happening every day," said Lauren Sogor, of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in Enola, Penn.

She said only 25-30 percent of rapes are reported to law enforcement.

The FBI survey revealed that in 2008, there were 89,000 reported rapes, compared to 90,427 in 2007 and 94,504 reported in 1989.

Survey results note the number of reported rapes fluctuated in the past 20 years but has declined steadily since 2004.

Experts attribute the decrease in the number of reported rapes to improved DNA testing, aggressive prosecution and an increase in awareness.

Officials with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network say reporting has increased by one third since 1993.

"But rape is still happening," said Selina Rachelle, victims services coordinator for Rape Response in Florence, which works with rape victims throughout Northwest Alabama.

She said the organization was contacted about victims getting medical help from rape 37 times in 2007 and 43 times in 2008.

"And so far this year we have gone out 35 times," Rachelle said. "So, rape is still happening and still being reported."

She said a lot of victims have a misconception of what rape actually is.

"A lot of young women feel if violence is not involved, they don't believe they have been raped," Rachelle said. "I've had people say it wasn't rape because the attacker didn't hit them.

"If it is unwanted, then it is forced. Any time anyone has power over a person and they are raped, then it's forcible rape. That's why education is so important. We have to teach people what rape is."

Statistics from Alabama and local law enforcement agencies don't reflect the national levels. In fact, those statistics show an increase.

There were 1,524 rapes reported in Alabama in 2008, compared to 1,404 in 2007.

In 2008, in Northwest Alabama's largest municipalities, there were 30 rapes reported compared to 29 in 2007.

"Statistics can be deceiving," said Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan, who is also a criminal justice instructor. "It's great to look at the numbers and see them declining (nationally), but unfortunately, the numbers sometimes don't reflect the true story but show there are still problems in some areas."

Sogor said while it's good to see forcible rape reports dropping, there is still a problem when it comes to acquaintance rape, which she said constitutes almost 75 percent of all rapes.

"Stranger rapes are very rare," she said. "The biggest problem that we see is getting acquaintance rapes reported."

Local law enforcement authorities agree the majority of rapes they investigate are acquaintance rapes.

"They come in cycles, as with all crimes," said Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing. "Sometimes there will be two or three in a month and then there will be two or three months without a report. And usually, when we do get a reported rape, it is someone who knew the attacker."

Statistics show that 73 percent of rape victims know their attackers.

Sogor said acquaintance rapes are not reported for a number of reasons.

"People don't feel comfortable with the legal system; they don't believe they'll be believed," she said. "Some victims feel pressure not to tell on a family member or a friend, some feel ashamed and there are some that are afraid to tell - they're frightened of revenge."

Law enforcement officials say some victims still perceive there is a stigma for whatever reason about reporting a rape when the victim knows the attacker.

"This is exactly why education about rape is so vital," Rushing said.

"People need to know why they should report these incidents and when to report them. I can't tell you how many calls we get from people wanting to talk about a rape and it's happened years before.

"It makes it so much harder on law enforcement and the prosecutors when the victims wait to report the incident."

Sogor said she's happy to see the reporting of forcible rape down, but there is still a lot of work to do.

"There are still situations occurring every day where sexual assaults take place and because of that, we have to continue the fight," she said. "Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job."

Logan said any kind of reduction of violent crime is good news, but "you have to look at the big picture and understand there are some underlying factors that are still happening and need to be addressed."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.