Sexual violence refers to any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by coercion, threats, or manipulation. Rape, a specific form of sexual violence, involves non-consensual sexual penetration of an individual. Rape and sexual violence are widespread issues that affect individuals across all societies, with particularly devastating psychological, physical, and social consequences for survivors.
Rape is a profound violation of an individual’s bodily autonomy and human rights, and the ways in which it is defined, prosecuted, and punished are deeply influenced by cultural, legal, and societal factors. These factors shape how laws are crafted and how the criminal justice system responds to the crime. However, these influences differ across regions, leading to varying legal standards, definitions, and treatment of victims and perpetrators.
This course will explore the role that culture, law, and societal norms play in shaping how rape is treated in both North America and other parts of the world. Using case law from different jurisdictions, we will examine how these factors influence the legal definitions of rape, the prosecution of offenders, and the punishment of those found guilty. The analysis will compare North American legal systems, particularly those of the United States and Canada, with other regions such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
