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Prior Relationship, Resistance, and Injury in Rapes: An Analysis of Crisis Center Records

NCJ Number
126166
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 99-111
Author(s)
R B Ruback; D L Ivie
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Using a sample of 2,526 records from a rape crisis center, this study tested the hypothesis that physical resistance to a stranger during rape would be more strongly related to injury than physical resistance to an acquaintance.
Abstract
Attacks by strangers, as compared to attacks by acquaintances, were more likely to involve older victims and white victims; involve threats or weapons; occur outdoors; involve two or more attackers; and include penetration. Acquaintances were more likely to hit their victims and to hold them for a longer time; victims were more likely to resist when they knew their attackers. Finally, victims of stranger rapists were more likely to suffer injury. Multivariate analyses indicate that physical resistance was significantly related to injury and more strongly related to injury when the rapist was a stranger. 2 tables, 4 notes, and 25 references