Chapter 17 Sexual Coercion

Types of Rape Stranger rape Acquaintance rape Date rape Statutory rape New FBI definition: 2013, the FBI finally updated the definition for the modern era. Rape is now defined as “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

False Beliefs About Rape “Women can’t be raped if they don’t want to be” “Women say no when they mean yes” “Many women ‘cry rape’” “All women want to be raped” “Rapists are obviously mentally ill” “Men can’t control their sexual urges”

Psychosocial Basis of Rape Rape frequency influenced by the nature of relations between the sexes Status of women Boy’s attitudes during developmental years Rape-prone societies Societies with no rape Stereotyped gender roles Peer group acceptance

Psychosocial Basis of Rape Impact of Media Heightens acceptance of sexual violence Heightens likelihood of coercive sex Physiologic findings inconsistent

Characteristics of Rapists Embrace male-dominance Anger toward women Alcohol may contribute Self-centered, less sensitive History of progressively more violent sexual offenses

Acquaintance Rape Role of Perceptions and Communication Occur in 3 out of 4 rapes Sexual scripts Misinterpretations and double messages Nonverbal communication Justification

Date Rape Drugs Rohyphnol: (roofies) sedative causing muscle relaxation and amnesia Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB): central nervous system depressant Ketamine hydrochloride (Special K): central nervous system depressant

Wartime Rape U.N. 1996 Declaration: crime of war Motivated by attempts to dominate, humiliate, control Destroy familial and societal bonds Terrorize population

Aftermath of Rape for Survivors Initial feelings of shame, anger, fear, guilt, powerlessness Self-blame Physical symptoms frequently occur Impaired sexual functioning PTSD, distress developed after trauma Less severe repercussions if counseling begun ASAP

Rape and Sexual Assault of Males Although vast majority of sexual assault victims are women, men are also targets of rape Men less likely than women to report rape Gay men, prison inmates, and prisoners of war more likely to be raped

Sexual Abuse of Children Sexual contact with a child is always coercive because children cannot give informed consent Child-sexual abuse: adult sexual contact with a child Incest: with a relative Brother-sister and first cousin incest is most common Father-daughter reported more and has greater negative impact Pedophilia or molestation: with a non-relative

Characteristics of Child Sexual Abusers Mostly heterosexual males Cover spectrum of social classes, religions, ethnicity and education Often times are lonely, shy Poor interpersonal skills Alcoholism; severe marital problems; sexual difficulties; and poor emotional adjustment

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Present prevention-oriented material at young age Explain “Okay” and “Not Okay” touches to children Encourage children to believe they have rights Encourage communication be immediate when in uncomfortable situations Discuss strategies for getting away from uncomfortable situations

Sexual Harassment Unwanted sexual attention in the workplace or academic setting Prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act Two types: verbal or physical Quid pro quo Hostile or offensive environment

Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Recent increase in same-sex sexual harassment claims Difficult to pursue legally Federal law narrowly interpreted as between men and women

Interviews with Convicted Rapists Study based on interviews with 114 convicted, imprisoned rapists: 47 admitted they had used force on victim 35 denied contact with victim 32 didn’t define their acts as rape Excuses: Admitters: Admit wrongfulness of act Deniers: Deny full responsibility by distancing themselves from blame

Justifying Rape Five Themes: Women as Seductresses Women in society often portrayed as victims of their own seduction 31% of deniers presented extreme view of victim as not only willing to have sex but also as the aggressor, a seductress who lured them into sexual action 25% of deniers presented less extreme view of victim as willing & made sexual advances 9% of deniers said victim was willing to have sex for money or drugs

Justifying Rape Five Themes: “No” Means “Yes” 34% of deniers describe their victim as unwilling at least at first but had not resisted enough or thought “no” meant “yes” (although weapon used in 64% of these cases) 24% of admitters used claim that victim didn’t resist or not enough to explain why they believed victim was willing & therefore it was not rape

Justifying Rape Five Themes: Relaxed & Enjoyed It 69% of deniers justified their act by drawing on cultural stereotype that once rape began victim not only willing but also enjoyed it 20% of admitters believed victim enjoyed herself

Justifying Rape Five Themes: Nice Girls Don’t Get Raped 69% of deniers and 22% of admitters refer to victims’ sexual reputation (i.e., prostitute or “loose” woman) 22% of deniers & 17% of admitters evoke stereotype that women provoke rape by their seductive dress and attire Intent of these accounts clear: deniers argue victim got what she deserved

Justifying Rape Five Themes: Minor Wrongdoing Only 16% of deniers claim complete innocence; most accept some responsibility They “plead” guilty to a lesser charge: being oversexed, adulterous, contributing to delinquency of minor, nothing as serious as rape Deniers attempt to discredit and blame the victim while presenting their own actions as justified given the situation

Excusing Rape: Admitters & Excusers Admitters, unlike deniers, regard their act as morally wrong & beyond justification They blame themselves rather than the victim Admitters explain their crime in a way that allow them to retain moral integrity: they offer excuses to demonstrate intent was absent or responsibility diminished

Excusing Rape: Three Themes in Accounts (1) Use of alcohol and drugs 77% of admitters and 72% of deniers equally likely to acknowledge consuming substance but admitters said they were affected by the substance If not the cause of their conduct, it was at least contributing factor:

Excusing Rape: Three Themes in Accounts (2) Emotional problems 40% of admitters report belief an emotional problem at root of their rape behavior such as unhappy childhood or marital-domestic situation 80% of admitters and 25% of deniers indicate a precipitating event such as upsetting problem of everyday living and the majority involve rage due to a wife or girlfriend

Excusing Rape: Three Themes in Accounts Yet overwhelming majority of rapists not seriously mentally ill just seem less able to cope with ordinary problems of everyday life Admitters portray themselves as temporarily “sick” at time of rape, not “themselves,” hence the rape was idiosyncratic not typical behavior for them Admitters thus assert a non-deviant identity despite expressing disgust for their act

Excusing Rape: Three Themes in Accounts (3) Nice guy image Admitters further neutralize their crime and project a non-rapist identity by self-portrayal as a “nice-guy” 57% of admitters express regret and sorrow for victim Schlenker & Darby (1981) explain significance of apologies beyond obvious expression of regret: one can admit guilt while at same time seeking pardon