The fear of the vindictive shrew: using alternative forms of punishment to change societal sentiment about rape laws

In this Note, I argue that while using traditional forms of criminal punishment within the criminal justice system may not offer a solution to the current issues surrounding rape, especially acquaintance rape, using alternative forms of punishment within the traditional criminal justice system may be beneficial.14 Specifically, I argue that the use of alternative punishments, like restorative justice, for perpetrators may help to slowly influence societal assumptions.15 I also contend that restorative justice offers a chance for rape victims to heal in a way that is not possible under current laws for acquaintance rape.16 1 am aware that as a male advocating for noncriminal punishments for rapists it would be easy for my argument to come across as downplaying the seriousness of acquaintance rape in a way that hurts, rather than helps, the issues 1 am attempting to address.