RAPISTS' TALK - LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES TO CONTROL THE VICTIM

• NCJ Number: 62019
• Journal: Deviant Behavior Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 101-125
• Author(s): L L HOLMSTROM; A W BURGESS
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REVISED VERSION OF A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 9TH WORLD CONGRESS OF SOCIOLOGY, UPPSALA, SWEDEN, AUGUST 1978

Annotation

THE LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES OF RAPISTS ARE CATEGORIZED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT PHYSICAL FORCE IS NOT THE ONLY MEANS USED TO ATTAIN CONTROL OVER THE VICTIM.

Abstract

THE RESEARCH SAMPLE CONSISTS OF 115 FEMALE ADULT, ADOLESCENT, AND CHILD RAPE VICTIMS THAT ARRIVED DURING 1 YEAR AT THE EMERGENCY WARDS OF A LARGE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL. SOCIAL CLASS, RACE, RELIGION, MARITAL STATUS, AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE VICTIMS VARIED GREATLY. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED THROUGH OPEN-ENDED INTERVIEWS BOTH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RAPE AND ALSO IN WEEKLY FOLLOWUP SESSIONS, WITH THE SAME LIST OF GENERAL QUESTIONS ASKED OF EACH VICTIM. THIS SAMPLE PROVIDES DATA PRIMARILY ON NONCONVICTED RAPISTS, A GROUP SELDOM SUBJECTED TO STUDY. ANALYSIS OF WHAT THE RAPISTS SAID REVEALED 11 MAJOR THEMES: (1) THREATS, (2) ORDERS, (3) CONFIDENCE LINES, (4) PERSONAL INQUIRIES OF THE VICTIM, (5) PERSONAL REVELATIONS BY THE RAPISTS, (6) OBSCENE NAMES AND RACIAL EPITHETS, (7) INQUIRES ABOUT THE VICTIM'S SEXUAL ENJOYMENT, (8) SOFT-SELL DEPARTURES, (9) SEXUAL PUT DOWNS, (10) POSSESSION OF WOMEN, AND (11) TAKING PROPERTY AWAY FROM ANOTHER MALE. THREATS, ORDERS AND THE CONFIDENCE LINE ARE THE MAIN LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES: THE FIRST TWO OCCURRED IN ALMOST EVERY CASE, AND THE THIRD WAS USED WITH VICTIMS KNOWN TO THE RAPIST. LYMAN AND SCOTT'S CATEGORIES OF GAMES ARE APPLIED TO THE THEMES TO DEMONSTRATE THAT SEVERAL GAMES ARE OCCURRING SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO NORMALIZE THE EXPLOITATION OF THE VICTIM, RAPISTS PLAY 'INFORMATION' AND 'RELATIONSHIP' GAMES: FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY SEEK AND REVEAL PERSONAL INFORMATION, ATTEMPT TO INCREASE INTIMACY WITH THE VICTIM, SUGGEST LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS, OR SOCIALIZE WITH THE VICTIM AFTER THE RAPE. FURTHER, THE THEMES INCREASE THE RAPISTS' CONTROL OVER THE VICTIM BY ARROUSING FEARS OF PRESENT BODILY HARM OR LATER RETALIATION IF THE VICTIM REPORTS THE CRIME. A FREQUENCY TABLE, QUOTATIONS FROM RAPISTS, AND APPROXIMATELY 35 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.