Should sexual assault be a death penalty offense?

[OldWiseGuy]

April is "sexual assault awareness month" so we should be thinking about this problem. Considering the horrendous damage this crime does to it's victim, at the time of the assault and further down the road, should these offenders be put to death? (I'm speaking only of those offenses that involve forced penetration and violence, not verbal abuse or 'groping'.)

 

[usexpat97]

In a combat zone, yes. Rape another soldier in a combat zone, that should be capital.

 

[Jonaitis]

I suppose if I were to be consistent with the idea that adultery deserves capital punishment, then I must say forced penetration (rape) deserves it too.

 

[rockytopva]

What about false allegations? What about Joseph? Should he have been executed?

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. - Genesis 39

 

[Hank77]

April is "sexual assault awareness month" so we should be thinking about this problem. Considering the horrendous damage this crime does to it's victim, at the time of the assault and further down the road, should these offenders be put to death? (I'm speaking only of those offenses that involve forced penetration and violence, not verbal abuse or 'groping'.)

No, there are too many false accusations where absolute proof is not possible. Too many people have been proven innocent yrs. later.

 

[Hank77]

I suppose if I were to be consistent with the idea that adultery deserves capital punishment, then I must say forced penetration (rape) deserves it too.

King David wasn't put to death and neither was Bathsheba.

 

[Jonaitis]

King David wasn't put to death and neither was Bathsheba.

They should have been, but God was merciful and instead took the life of their son...

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Yes, absolutely, but it must adhere to the same level of burden of proof that we find in the OT (if she was in the city, where people could have heard her, and she did not cry out...). There should be some evidence of resistance, when possible.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

In a combat zone, yes. Rape another soldier in a combat zone, that should be capital.

Interesting thought.

 

[Hank77]

They should have been, but God was merciful and instead took the life of their son...

I agree, God was merciful.....

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Of course the charge must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for the DP to apply. Otherwise it's just life in prison without parole, or until the victim is completely free of the trauma.

 

[Hank77]

Yes, absolutely, but it must adhere to the same level of burden of proof that we find in the OT (if she was in the city, where people could have heard her, and she did not cry out...). There should be some evidence of resistance, when possible.

And if there is no sign of resistance they should both be put to death?

 

[Jonaitis]

I agree, God was merciful.....

...but there were still consequences.

 

[Shimokita]

For what reason should he be put to death?

 

[Brightmoon]

I think they should get a stiff jail sentence to damage their lives the way they did the victims. I don’t think they get enough time now. I really don’t like the death penalty and looking at how many people Texas puts to death the only feeling I have about it is disgust

 

[OldWiseGuy]

For what reason should he be put to death?

David, or a rapist?

 

[Hank77]

...but there were still consequences.

And that was in God's hands, not man's.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I think they should get a stiff jail sentence to damage their lives the way they did the victims. I don’t think they get enough time now. I really don’t like the death penalty and looking at how many people Texas puts to death the only feeling I have about it is disgust

Their crimes are what is disgusting, as well as the light sentences most get, Texas notwithstanding.

 

[Jonaitis]

And that was in God's hands, not man's.

Who doubts that?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The point of the death penalty is to put evil away from among us. Storing it up hasn't worked too well.

"I have a great idea. Let's store these rotten apples in the barrel with the good ones until they aren't rotten any more."