Alexandra Parrow
Stories (4/0)
Sexual Assault in the Early Modern Period
While rape is a growing topic in present society, it is not a new problem. Rape has been a serious crime for centuries, though the punishment, definition, and general attitude surrounding it has changed over the years. The definition of rape changed multiple times from the 17th to the 19th centuries alone. Until 1650, rape was seen as the theft or assault on a man’s property. It was also an ambiguous term that could have meant either sexual assault or kidnapping, keeping in line with the previous definition. As society and the legal system evolved, so did the definition, with it being seen as a crime against a man’s possession(s) and instead as a crime against the woman who had been assaulted. While this was an improvement, that did not mean there were not any difficulties relating to rape accusations and trials. This paper will be discussing the topic of rape and sexual assault in the early modern period, focusing on the impact of attitudes surrounding both male and female sexuality, children and rape during this period, as well as examining trial reports from rape cases involving both children and adults.
By Alexandra Parrow3 years ago in Psyche