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Retain Rape Crisis Services

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2007

Regarding 'Who Rapes' (front page, Sept. 13):

Valerie Kalfrin's excellent article detailing the many types of acquaintance rape offers a disturbing picture of that crime. It is important for potential victims to realize that most men who might rape them are people they know - but not necessarily, or even in most instances, people they are dating.

It is also important for the public to realize that harmful stereotypes about the victim's responsibility in a date rape may be coloring the response to crimes that have nothing to do with agreeing to go on a date. The fact that many men are brazen enough to rape someone who can identify them suggests that these predators have little fear that they will be punished if their victims try to report the crime.

Kalfrin's article underscores the importance of The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which has been threatened with budget cuts despite the critical role it plays in treating victims, collecting evidence, and documenting violent crimes. So long as rapists have little fear of consequences and most victims still fear even reporting the crime, we cannot afford to de-fund rape crisis services.

TINA TRENT

Ruskin

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