NCJ Number
51932
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS EXAMINATION OF RAPE EMPHASIZES THAT THE CRIME CAN OCCUR IN ANY LOCALITY, AND THAT RAPISTS DO NOT ACT AS A RESULT OF SEXUAL ATTRACTION BUT RATHER FROM FEELINGS OF VIOLENCE AND CONTEMPT FOR WOMEN.
Abstract
THE TRADITIONAL PICTURE OF THE RAPIST AS A LONELY, SEXUALLY DEPRIVED OR IMPOTENT, AND SOCIALLY ISOLATED PERSON IS NOT ACCURATE. THE YOUNG POTENTIAL RAPIST IS USUALLY AN ANGRY, ANTISOCIAL YOUTH WHO ACTS AGGRESIVELY TOWARD HIS ACQUAINTANCES, PARTICULARLY TOWARD HIS FEMALE ACQUAINTANCES. THE YOUNG RAPIST OFTEN ENGAGES IN VANDALISM, EVIDENCES HOSTILITY IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND DISTRUSTS WOMEN IN GENERAL. THE GOAL OF THE RAPIST IS NOT SEXUAL FULFILLMENT BUT DOMINATION, VIOLENCE, AND HUMILIATION OF THE VICTIM. THE RATE OF RAPE IS INCREASING IN U.S. SUBURBS AS WELL AS IN URBAN AREAS, AND MOST RAPES OCCUR ON WEEKEND NIGHTS. THE CRIME OF RAPE USUALLY IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DISPLAY OF WEAPONS AND THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE. IMPULSIVE RAPE GENERALLY ACCOMPANIES ANOTHER CRIME SUCH AS BURGLARY. CONFIDENCE RAPE USUALLY INVOLVES CHASING THE VICTIM, WHO OFTEN IS KNOWN TO THE RAPIST. GANG RAPISTS ARE USUALLY YOUNG, UNMARRIED MALES FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO INCITE EACH OTHER TO CRIME FOR THE SAKE OF EXCITEMENT. (DAG)