1. Sexual Coercion

2. Types of Rape
Stranger rape
Acquaintance rape
Date rape
Statutory rape

3. Prevalence of Rape
11.9%-28% depending on study
1 in 6 women, 3% of men
Underreported for many reasons
Victim’s self-blame or denial
Mistrust of police, legal system
Fear of retaliation from rapist
Concern about publicity

4. Incidence of Rape by Sex of Victim
Lifetime Incidence of Rape by Sex of Victim.

5. 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”

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

7. Psychosocial Bases of Rape: Impact of Media
Heightens acceptance of sexual violence
Heightens likelihood of coercive sex
Physiologic findings inconsistent

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

9. Characteristics of Female Rape Victims
50% under age of 18
Cultural differences in reporting
Low SES may confer greater risk
Victims of childhood sexual abuse at increased risk for adult sexual revictimization

10. Age Breakdown of Women Rape Victims
Age breakdown of women rape victims at time of first rape.

11. Acquaintance Rape: Role of Perceptions & Communication
Sexual scripts
Misinterpretations & double messages
Nonverbal communication
Justification

12. Date Rape Drugs
Rohyphnol: sedative causing muscle relaxation and amnesia
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GBH) and Ketamine hydrocloride (Special K)

13. Wartime Rape
U.N declaration: crime of war
Motivated by attempts to dominate, humiliate, control
Destroy family & societal bonds
Terrorize population

14. Aftermath of Rape
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

15. Aftermath of Rape
PLAY
VIDEO

16. 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

17. Sexual Abuse of Children
Child-sexual abuse: adult sexual contact with a child
Sexual contact with a child is always coercive because children cannot give informed consent
Incest: with a relative
Pedophilia or molestation: with a non-relative

18. Sexual Abuse of Children
Prevalence
Girls 20-33%
Boys %
Brother-sister & first cousin incest is most common
Father-daughter reported more & has greater negative impact

19. Sexual Abuse of Children: Recovered Memories
Many abuse victims do not remember documented abuse
Controversy: Are memories planted by therapists?

20. Sexual Abuse of Children: Pedophiles in Cyberspace
Internet provides increased opportunities to take advantage of children
First gain child’s trust then try and arrange meeting
Communications Decency Act, 1996
Prevention

21. Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
Often affects intimate adult relations
Intrusive, violent assaults of longer duration associated with worse outcome
Sex difference
Variety of treatment programs

22. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Treatment programs for offenders have not demonstrated long term effectiveness
Megan’s Law
Early education for boys & girls

23. Sexual Harassment
Unwanted sexual attention in the workplace or academic setting
Very common: 42% women; 15% men
Prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Two types: verbal or physical
Quid pro quo
Hostile or offensive environment

24. Sexual Harassment: Severity Levels
Mild: Sexual or sexist remarks
Unwelcome intrusion
Intermediate: Graphic comments
Severe: Requiring sexual services

25. Sexual Harassment: Effects on the Victim
Financial loss
Psychological reactions
Physical symptoms
Personal relationships

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

27. Dealing with Sexual Harassment
If assaulted, file criminal charges
If not assaulted, confront harasser
Discuss with supervisor
Discuss appropriately with coworkers
File official complaint or lawsuit

28. Sexual Harassment in Academic Settings
Coercion focuses on grades, letters of recommendation, work, or research opportunities
Many colleges & universities ban professor-student romances
Incidence:
20-40% undergraduate women; 9-20% men
30-50% graduate women
33-50% medical students