1. Chapter 17 Sexual Coercion

2. 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.”

3. 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”

4. 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

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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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:

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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