Rape in Criminological and Victimological Perspective

• NCJ Number: 139065
• Journal: EuroCriminology Volume: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 15-29
• Author(s): H J Schneider
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Poland

Annotation

Criminological and victimological perspectives on rape are offered that provide insights on patterns and causes of rape, prejudices against and treatment of rape victims, and rape prevention.

Abstract

Almost 50 percent of rapes are committed unexpectedly, without the pre-existence of a personal relationship between the victim and the offender. Rape is not committed with the intent of sexual satisfaction alone; the victim often receives serious physical injury, and sexual perversion also occurs in the rape situation. Basic patterns of rape include the following: anger rape committed to hurt the victim physically and psychologically; rape committed to possess the victim sexually; sadistic rape that sometimes ends in murder; gang rape by juveniles and adolescents; and rape by the impulsive offender. Causes of rape involve biological, psychological, and social dimensions. Common prejudices against rape victims are that women cannot be raped against their will and that many victims contribute to rape by dressing seductively. Imprisonment is of little use for rapists, and castration and sterilization do not erase their aggression against females. While psychotherapy may not be effective in many cases, it can help rapists become aware of their emotional problems. Reality therapy concentrates on the offender's responsibilities and attempts to train them to have appropriate social and sexual relations with the opposite sex. Rape victims who are damaged psychologically and socially also need treatment. In order to prevent rape, the potential victim should avoid victimogenic situations, especially any kind of social isolation. Submission or physical resistance may sexually excite offenders, depending on how they are psychologically motivated. The victim should maintain self-control in a situation, not go out alone, learn self-defense techniques, dress conservatively, and avoid drinking alone. 62 footnotes