NCJ Number
101793
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 55 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 1-5
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In determining what type of technique will be most successful in dealing with a rape situation, the potential victim must consider the location of the confrontation, the personality of the victim, and the type and motivation of the rapist.
Abstract
Both rapists and law enforcement and helping professionals have advocated various techniques, used singly or in combination, for deterring the rapist. These include physical or verbal resistance, noisemaking devices, chemical repellants, weapons, pretext of pregnancy or venereal disease, and vomiting or urinating. While all of these techniques may be effective in certain situations, in others they could be worthless or even dangerous. For instance, physical resistance may discourage one type of rapist but excite another. In advising potential victims on rape prevention measures, experts should emphasize those actions that minimize opportunities for confrontation and elucidate the importance of environmental, victim, and offender variables in determining the best course of action. Similarly, potential victims should be taught to assess their own personal strengths and weaknesses and how to manipulate the environment to the disadvantage of the assailant. 4 footnotes.