The Truth About Rape

Gr 9 Up—Updated statistics, new tables and illustrations, and entries on "Rape Kits" and "Evidence Collection" update this second edition. The introduction includes a section on how to use the book as well as a brief discussion of "Society and the Victims of Rape." The entries, which are generally a few pages in length, are clear and concise. They answer basic questions that students will have through definitions, statistics, an examination of common myths associated with the subject, and a Q & A. "Fact or Fiction?" sections clarify some misconceptions ("It is okay for my teacher to flirt with me" and "Unless a weapon is used it isn't really rape"), while "Teens Speak" relates personal experiences or responses to information. Further-reading suggestions conclude most entries. New as separate entries are "Rape and Society" and "Statutory Rape," which were covered in less detail in the earlier edition. The statistics are sourced: most date post-2000 with many from 2006 and later. One interesting example is the chart illustrating unreported rapes—that number has changed significantly since the 2005 edition. The additional resources section listing hotlines and "help sites" is largely untouched. If you already own the first edition and can find the statistics online (most of them come from government sources), you may want to wait for another title. If you need a serviceable volume on this subject, this one may fit the bill.—Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX