Rape definition too narrow in federal statistics, critics say

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By ERICA GOODE

Published: September 28, 2011

WASHINGTON - Thousands of sexual assaults that occur in the United States every year are not reflected in the federal government's yearly crime report because the report uses an archaic definition of rape that is far narrower than the definitions used by most police departments.

Many law enforcement officials and advocates for women say that this underreporting misleads the public about the prevalence of rape and results in fewer federal, state and local resources being devoted to catching rapists and helping rape victims. Rape crisis centers are among groups that cite the federal figures in applying for private and public financing.

READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/us/federal-rules-on-rape-statistics-criticized.html?pagewanted=1&%2362&_r=1&%2359;