Law-breakers, law-enforcers, lawyers, the law - in 13 frank documentary films set in Florida, USA. 8: Rape
In the last ten years, rape has increased in the Circuit Eleven catchment area more than any other crime. It has risen from 70 to over 700 cases a year. The victims' ages range from two months to 91 years. Five per cent of the victims are men. In an attempt to come to terms with this appalling upward spiral, Florida has set up a centre for its sex offenders.
In this documentary, rapists from the centre meet a rape victim and a panel of police and rape treatment consultants in a teach-in on rape, sponsored by the Government and conducted before an audience predominantly female. Open frank debate and group therapy on this taboo subject seem to be working. For where 90 per cent of rapists who are sent to prison will rape again within weeks of their release, only eight per cent of those at the Government centre re-offend.
Walter Merricks points out that no such constructive alternative to prison exists here.
Film cameraman COLIN DEEHAN Film recordist JOHN PRITCHARD Film editor PETER GORDON Researcher MO BOWYER
Executive producer ROGER MILLS Producer MARK ANDERSON