This may seem like a trivial question, but I was wondering, why is rape now referred to as "sexual assault"? I've noticed this euphemism being used in newspapers and on television. Doesn't the term "sexual assault" downplay the severity of this crime? It makes rape sound more like a mugging than the heinous crime that it is. When did this term become the preferred term for rape, and why? Why not just call a spade a spade? Perhaps if the media used terms such as "rape" to describe rape and "torture" to describe torture, more people would be aware of the prevalence of these atrocities. Just a thought.

Thanks for your note to FEMINIST.COM and I couldn't agree with you more about downplaying the prevalence and danger of rape, battery, etc... The same goes for domestic violence. Somehow the word "domestic" leaves the impression that it is less serious. Rape is rape and there is no way around it--so I'm with you.

I think the recent violence against abortion clinics is another great example--people call this violence or harassment and it is that, but it is also terrorism. Again, until we equate these primarily female experiences with mainstream ones, it won't be treated as a real crime. I'll do whatever I can--and I hope you will, too. We're bound to make some impact

—Amy