NCJ Number
75018
Date Published
1980
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The existence of a continuum of sexual aggression among males and a corresponding continuum of sexual victimization among females was explored through a study involving 3,862 university students.
Abstract
A 12-question sexual experiences survey written in parallel versions for men and women was administered to the students. Three levels of sexual aggression and victimization were measured, ranging from consensual sexual intercourse to actual rape. Among males, 4 percent were highly sexually aggressive, 4.7 percent were moderately aggressive, 23.6 were low aggressive, and 67 percent were not sexually aggressive. Among females, 11.5 percent were highly sexually victimized, 25 percent were moderately victimized, 17.9 percent were low victimized, and 36.5 percent were not sexually victimized. Because the number of women reporting victimization was much higher than the number of men reporting highly aggressive activity, either men have minimized their aggressive tendencies or each aggressive male must have victimized a number of females. Analysis of forms of aggressive action suggested that verbal coercion was not considered different from normal sexual activity by the participants. The typical sexual relationship at the university may have included coercive elements, and a population of truly nonaggressive and nonvictimized people may not have existed. These figures and two tables are included.