The problem of sexual assault in the legal system requires its detailed analysis because, in many cases, this problem is not discussed in society openly. Thus, there are certain complexities that are associated with the analysis of this phenomenon because of its controversial nature.
Among the variety of weaknesses in the currently followed legislation to address sexual assaults and rapes, it is possible to determine the two aspects that lead to creating certain complexities for overcoming this problem. Firstly, according to the language of some of the related laws, it is assumed that offenders are usually strangers. Thus, the appearance of sexual assault within the legal system among persons who work with each other seems to be almost impossible in this context. Secondly, much attention is paid to the behavior and intentions of a victim while discussing a certain form of conduct as an assault. In comparison to other cases where victims expect to protect their rights, the discussion of the role of a victim in the case of a sexual assault seems to be unreasonable and offending. The problem is that it is assumed that a victim can provoke an offender to commit such type of a crime. As a result, in the workplace, women can suffer from harassment, and female suspects can suffer from police officers’ inappropriate behaviors.
The discussed aspects are used to illustrate only some of the numerous complexities associated with addressing the sexual assault problem in the legal system. Therefore, particular modifications in the currently used legislature are necessary and can be helpful to protect potential victims of sexual harassment and rape. These modifications should include changes in the language of the working laws and in the formulation and definition of misconduct used in the associated laws today. Moreover, there should be stricter regulations to prevent sexual assault in the legal system with a focus on defining clearly what types of behavior can be regarded as sexual harassment and in what cases. Additionally, considerations related to the problem are associated with the fact that some assaults can be prevented or reported to authorities if victims are not stigmatized because of experiencing such problems. Thus, changes in the laws and regulations should be supported by the active discussion of the issue among the public.
The discussed complexities are associated with weaknesses in the currently used definitions of in-laws and with the overall status of potential victims and sex offenders in the legal system of the United States. There are risks that victims can feel less uncomfortable and protected than their offenders because of the lack of strict control in this sphere. As a result, women usually choose to remain silent if they become victims of sexual assault that creates additional complexities for resolving this problem at the organizational and social levels. From this perspective, certain modifications need to be made in order to guarantee that the principles of the law are followed in each institution and in relation to each citizen of the United States without exceptions.