Birth Rape should be Redefined as Assault. - Comments

The legal system doesn't recognize "birth rape" as a crime, t's just a popularized term women who have experience use because it produces the same psychological effects as rape. (We don't tell someone who was penetrated with a foreign object instead of a penis that they weren't "raped," even if the legal charge is something different like sodomy). I imagine the doctor or nurse in question would be more likely to face a malpractice complaint than anything else.

I don't think it matters if a woman feels violated or not; if a nurse or other person witnesses a doctor perform a medical procedure without consent of the patient, he or she should report the doctor in question immediately. It's a gross violation of ethics and the doctor should not be allowed to practice medicine.

I wouldn't necessarily call it rape because, well, it's not exactly rape. But it can be assault and should be considered as such. It's kind of scary to know how uncaring and not compassionate some doctors can be towards their patients, especially since things can get very personal and "touchy" for certain treatments and procedures. It's sad but it's actually becoming quite common for someone to go into the medical field for the money and not because they wanted to actually help people. Doctors should be caring people who will be gentle and kind with their patients. Doctors should be people who have a real desire to help others, not in it just for the money and it's sad a lot of people are taking advantage of this field for the money. I'm sorry, that last part really had nothing to do with your journal...

But I digress, I do think assault would be a better term for this sort of thing. But no matter what it's called, treating anyone like that is downright wrong and terrible. Seeing things like this, it's no wonder some people can't trust doctors and develop a fear of them.

v, lol, I understand. I was just saying that the "name-pickers" (lol) SHOULD take into account the general meaning lol.

v; Like I said, I understand what most people view rape's definition as, but they (whoever "they" are, the ones who picks the names I guess) name these things based on true definitions, not by what others percieve them as. Make sense? Lol.

darkfallenangel, I didn't know either until a few months ago and it is terrible. I am now even more thankful for my own labor and delivery.

ladyschrei, I guess I could see your point there with those other definitions, but like you said, most people view rape as forced sexual intercourse and I think that should be taken into account. The general definition of rape, as seen by most people, does not fit most instances so I think birth assault would be a better term. But you're right, it's still so, so terrible.

I think rape could be an appropriate term. When looking on dictionary.com for the definition of rape, two of them come up as:

"4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.
5. Archaic . the act of seizing and carrying off by force."

If you look at number 4, an act of abuse. Number 5 is very self explanatory. By those definitions, some of these things - and even you said so yourself, if I understood you correctly, that there's more than just what you listed - could be considered rape. Just not the way that people think today. Like you said, more people consider rape to be having sexual intercourse without the other's permission to do it.

Looking at those definitions, I see where they can get the term rape.

Assault might be better.

Either way though, no matter what you title it, it's still absolutely wrong.

Oh my god, I can't believe that actually happens.... That's just horrible.... :(

I don't know anyone who it's happened to. I had no idea doctors/nurses treated women like that.
I do think that it should be punishable. That's no way to treat someone, especially in a time like that. You're supposed to help them and make it easy, but not do something without their informed consent.
I think rape might be a bit harsh, and I think I agree it should probably be called assault instead. Nonetheless, it's a serious issue.