This is the page where you can speak your mind and let us know your opinions on various topics. Your votes will be tallied and results published in the following month's newsletter. Selected comments will be published provided the identity of the source may be included.

Indiana’s law specifies that rape  is a person who knowingly or intentionally has sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex…Sexual Intercourse is defined as an act that includes any penetration of the female sex organ by the male sex organ.   Sexual assault perpetrated against a male or same sex sexual assault is not recognized in Indiana as rape.  Should that change?  Let us know what you think. 

Results from recent Speak Out! polls:

We asked if the media should be allowed access to the identity of victims of sexual assault through the victims compensation database or other means. 

You responded:

100% of respondents said NO – media should not be able to obtain the identity and personal information of victims of sex crimes through the violent crime compensation database or other means. 

Comments: 
Being a survivor of incest and just recently having prosecuted my stepfather I am very aware of the need to keep victims name and personal info private. 

Victims’ right to privacy especially during the court process is very important especially given the public’s interest in perpetuating the rape myths and blaming the victim for being assaulted.

There should be training for media on victimization so they understand the trauma and intimate violation already endured before they consider revealing more personal information on a victim. 

Many thanks to those who replied. If you have an issue you would like to see posted on Speak Out!, let us know.