Sexual assaults are personal and intrusive crimes. Offenders consistently receive longer prison terms and more restrictions on their freedoms once released than offenders who commit other serious assaults, including those that are life-threatening.

Yet current penalties seem inadequate or ineffective.

RINJ Foundation has repeatedly urged lawmakers to consider increasing the penalties for rape.

Many judges in North America have decided on their own to radically exceed the 'guidelines' for rape penalties when their adjudication of the case motivates them to believe extra time is needed to protect the public or to punish the guilty.

On the other hand, most judges do not hand down stiff sentences for rape. Convictions for rape compared to the estimated number of rapes are too few.

The effect of the penalty for rape should be deterrence as well as the usual goals of criminal punishment and society protection.

RINJ Foundation suggests a universal increase in penalties for rape and attempted rape. The message is, "Don't rape."
Current penalties seem ineffective in preventing recidivism.
Very few men rape but rape often.

Some judges in America decided on their own to radically exceed the 'guidelines' for rape penalties when their adjudication of the case motivates them. On the other hand, most judges do not hand down stiff sentences for rape.

 
The RINJ Foundation urges discussion of the following:

* Make all rapists and most attempted rapists subject to long indeterminate sentences (min. 5 years for 'attempt rape');

* Use prison terms ranging from 10 years to 30 years to life;

* Use life without parole for forcible rapes of victims under 14;

* Use a range of 7, 10, or 15-to-25 years for rapes of adult victims, while using a 30 to life term when a sexually violent repeat predator specification is proved;

* For 15-year + sentences, impose a new type of mandatory release-review by the sentencing court, available after the minimum term is served, parallel to the Parole Board’s reviews. If either rejects release the term is extended by another year. On failing a review at that time, an application can be made each three years;

* Current repeat violent offender penalties can increase the definite term to 20 years;

The message is, don't rape.

RINJ Foundation is an international NGO headquartered in Toronto.

RINJ is an anti-rape foundation. RINJ educates the public, social media providers and traditional media outlets about the perils of misogyny and rape culture and monitors & reports thereof; monitors and reports on global court proceedings related to rape / sexual assault; educates for a more learned and open discussion of the issues of sexual assault; provides education, general information and study resources to enhance the safety of the person; and overall seeks a higher adherence to safe community standards.

RINJ seeks better criminal justice while advancing a RAPE-averse social conscience, eventually ending rape crime.