NCJ Number
81149
Journal
Journal of Social Issues Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1981) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
A Cann,
L G Calhoun,
J W Selby,
H E King
Date Published
1981
Length
157 pages
Annotation
This volume of articles views rape as a cultural, social, legal, and psychological phenomenon. Contributors to the volume include sociologists, psychologists, an anthropologist, and others concerned with the problem of rape.
Abstract
One paper examines the cross-cultural generality of rape, finding variations in the incidence of rape and identifiable differences between 'rape prone' and 'rape free' societies. Thus, rape may not be a universal phenomenon but rather may emerge in societies characterized by violence and male dominance. Another article compares the impact of common law and reform rape legislation on prosecution, based on an analysis of 445 forcible and statutory rape cases in King County, Wash. It concludes that the main impact of the statutory reform has been a symbolic and educative one for society rather than an instrumental one for law enforcement. Two papers assess beliefs about rape, perceptions of the rape incident, and their likely behavioral impacts. One of these articles identifies the variables that are perceived as relevant in the individual's decision to report a rape, and the other looks at the extent of fear of rape in the population and the behavioral implications created by this fear. Three papers focus on the actual victims of rape. One considers the role of the rape crisis center in the treatment and readjustment of rape victims. Another discusses the long-term psychological adjustment of rape victims, based on assessments of the progress of a sample of victims over a 1-year period. The third article attempts to explain why some women are raped and some escape from the assailant. Finally, characteristics of males that might be related to a proclivity to rape are identified; self-report ratings by college students, research on known rapists, and attitudes about rape in the general population are considered. Most papers include tables and references. (Author summary modified)