The legislation has provided rights for domestic and sexual violence, treatment, and criminal consequences to violence against the victim. The increase in criminal sexual activity had an effect legislation to stop the upward trend of sexual offenders. Richards and Marcum, 2014, p.26 stated, “these laws include sex offender registration and notification, and in many states, they include residency restrictions and civil commitment statutes as well.” Offenders were targeted and “it could be surmised that society and legislators alike have progressed to a veritable war on sex offenders” (Richards & Marcum, 2014, …show more content…
The Center for Disease Control researched the social effects of sexual violence victims and came up with the following: The victims are likely to experienced “strained relationships with the victim 's family, friends, and intimate partners, less emotional support from friends and family, less frequent contact with friends and relatives, and lower likelihood of marriage” (Clements, Speck, Crane, & Faulkner, 2004, p.270).
What is driving the laws and definitions? Sexual victimization has been a prominent focus of societal concern, legislative action, and criminal justice system response. All of the laws are driven by a need to protect the community from sexual predators, teen pregnancy, and the health risk associated with unprotected sex. Sexual victimization is considered a serious offense that deserves serious treatment and criminal response because of the “extensive trauma, physical injury, psychological difficulties, and rape trauma that occurs for it” (Richards & Marcum, 2014, p.27).
Age appropriate relationships versus criminal