NCJ Number
95744
Date Published
1984
Length
308 pages
Annotation
The prevalance and causes of rape, child abuse, and sexual harassment in the workplace are examined.
Abstract
Male rape by females is addressed, and factors which contribute to proportionately much less rape by gay men than by heterosexual men are explored, including the easy access to consensual sex through bars, bath houses, and adult bookstores and movie houses that cater to gay males. Social characteristics of rape victims and rapists are discussed. Based on reported cases, age groups at risk for rape are adolescents aged 13 through 17 and young adults aged 18 through 24. Like rape victims, rapists are also primarily from younger age groups, between 15 and 24 years of age. Psychological characteristics of rapists are presented, and several typologies of rapists are analyzed. A four-factor model suggests preconditions that allow rape to occur: factors creating a predisposition or a desire to rape, factors reducing internal inhibitions against acting out this desire, factors reducing social inhibitions against acting out this desire, and factors reducing the potential victim's ability to resist or avoid the rape. The gender gap among perpetrators of child sexual abuse is detailed, and factors reducing internal inhibitions and social inhibitions against child sexual abuse are treated. Also addressed are factors reducing internal and social inhibitions against sexual harassment in the workplace. Ten figures, 30 tables, and approximately 250 references are included.