RAPIST AND HIS CRIME (FROM CRIME IN SOCIETY, 1978, BY LEONARD D SAVITZ AND NORMAN JOHNSTON - SEE NCJ-53552)

• NCJ Number: 53561
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM 'RAPE - PREVENTION AND RESISTANCE', SAN FRANCISCO - QUEEN'S BENCH FOUNDATION, 1976, P 59-76, 79-87, 92-94

Annotation

AN INTERVIEW, SUPPLEMENTED BY A REVIEW OF PARTICIPANTS' MEDICAL RECORDS, WAS USED TO EXPLORE THE DYNAMICS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF 75 SEX OFFENDERS UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT A STATE HOSPITAL IN CALIFORNIA.

Abstract

THE RESEARCH ANALYZED INCIDENTS OF COMPLETED AND DETERRED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRIME SCENES; CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS' AND VICTIMS' BEHAVIOR BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE ASSAULT; METHODS OF RESISTANCE USED BY RAPE AND ATTEMPTED RAPE VICTIMS; DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMPLETED AND DETERRED SEXUAL ASSAULTS; AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESISTANCE AND INJURY. THE PARTICIPANTS WERE MOSTLY WHITE, YOUNG, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, AND SKILLED OR SERVICE WORKERS, WITH VARIED CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS. ACCORDING TO MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS, RAPISTS ARE SEEKING POWER OR DOMINANCE OVER THEIR VICTIMS. MOST RAPISTS PLANNED THEIR ATTACKS, AND ALTHOUGH THE VICTIMS OFTEN WERE STRANGERS, THE ASSAILANTS ENGAGED IN A SELECTION PROCESS, ELIMINATING CERTAIN WOMEN UNTIL THEY FOUND A SUITABLE VICTIM. HOWEVER, THE PARTICIPANTS WERE ALMOST EQUALLY DIVIDED ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE VICTIM INFLUENCES THE COMMISSION OF THE ACT: 52.1 PERCENT SAID THAT THEY HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO RAPE WHEN THEY SELECTED THEIR VICTIM, AND 45.2 PERCENT FELT THAT THEIR VICTIMS HAD PRECEPITATED THE ASSAULT. THERE WAS NO CLEAR ASSOCIATION FOUND BETWEEN PLACE OF VIOLENCE AND THE DECISION TO RAPE. IN THE ASSAILANT'S PERCEPTION, THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE USED WAS INFLUENCED BY THE VICTIM, AT LEAST SOMETIMES. FACTORS CAUSING AN INTENSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE AND TYPE OF VIOLENCE USED WERE VICTIM RESISTANCE, FEELINGS OF RIGHTOUSNESS ON THE PART OF THE ASSAILANT, FEAR OF BEING CAUGHT, VICTIM ANGER, VICTIM CALMNESS, AND SOMETIMES VICTIM PASSIVENESS. THE ANALYSIS ALSO INDICATED THAT 'PEEPING TOMS,' OFTEN THOUGHT TO BE HARMLESS, MAY BE STAKING OUT A POTENTIAL RAPE VICTIM. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)