[Brandon]

Originally Posted by Kate*

If there's no definition of forcible rape, why is the term distiguished? Can't we just leave 'forcible' out and say rape is rape?

Saying "rape" is "rape" isn't that simple. If I'm a law abiding citizen, I'd like to know what I can and can't do in a clear and simple message. Statutory rape is not the same as forcible rape. If I was a convicted felon, I'd rather be charged with statutory rape than forcible rape. If we just said "rape" in a very generalized manner, I could be a convicted felon for "rape" and people would assume that I took advantage of someone, that I'm a monster according to society, and that I need to be hanged in public. But if it's statutory rape, that implies that...I had consensual sex with an underage female, but it's connotation (or denotation...forgot which one...) is different. I still committed a crime, but it's not AS bad as forcibly raping a woman without consent. So I think that clarification is important. But to be honest...I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say.