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Mary White Stewart, Shirley A. Dobbin and Sophia I. Gatowski, ""Real Rapes" and "Real Victims": the Shared Reliance on Common Cultural Definitions of Rape", Feminist Legal Studies IV/2 (1996), 159-177. - The processing of rape cases in one U.S. state serves as the background for an examination of the definitions of reality used by rape victims and those officials at various levels of the system with whom they must interact. As a result of engaging in this study, the authors became aware of the consistency with which cultural myths and stereotypes surrounding women and their relationship to men were embraced at all levels of the justice system, and by all parties involved. Our investigation found, for example, that victims, police, and district attorneys all talk about rape in terms of "risky and inappropriate behaviour," and "credibility of the victim." It is our contention that the cultural myths and stereotypes surrounding rape, and the rape victim, provide a compelling example of how people in very different positions in the social system appear to rely on the same taken-for-granted explanations and assumptions about reality. And, as a consequence of these myths and stereotypes of rape, the victim is often forced to accept a definition of reality that is removed from her own experience. The perceived legitimacy of these shared cultural myths and stereotypes is reflected in the acceptance of a world view as seen through the eyes of a "reasonable man," and this operates to the implicit and explicit detriment of the victim. The adoption of a "reasonable woman" standard, and increased recognition of, and sensitivity to, the reality of rape, it is argued, may lessen the impact of damaging cultural myths and stereotypes. The authors conclude by posing a number of questions for consideration regarding the implications of this research for the processing of rape cases through the justice system.

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