NCJ Number
127046
Date Published
1990
Length
222 pages
Annotation
This book dispels many myths about rape as an infrequent act of uncontrollable sexual aggression perpetrated by strangers in public places in the particular social context of contemporary South Africa.
Abstract
Interviews were conducted with a group of men, including rapists, to explore their experiences, feelings, and attitudes. The author found that rape emerges from a culture that involves the domination and objectivication of women. As an act of sexual violence, rape reflects the masculine role as dominant and controlling. A "rape culture" exists in which rape is often not acknowledged as a crime and its victims are frequently blamed and held responsible for their own violation. Rape is seen as a component of the "war culture" that dominates South Africa. This war culture involves a set of meanings and practices that accept violence as a legitimate solution to conflict. Men rape primarily to bolster their masculine pride and feed their desire for power. This behavior is largely attributed to the rapist's need to live up to society's ideal of masculinity, the need to compensate for feelings of powerlessness, alienation in the workplace, political and racial oppression, the male's socialized belief in rape myths, the need to compensate for sexual and masculine inadequacy, and the male's strong association of sex with violence. Prevailing social patterns can only be transformed through a change in social relationships, structures, and ideologies. In addition, every social structure and institution affected by sexism needs to be completely transfigured. Rape will continue to exist as long as women are oppressed and as long as women's subjugation is anchored in the structure of society. Antirape activities, ranging from psychotherapy and legal aid to self-defense and educational programs, must be conducted to insure that social, economic, political, and sexual justice is attained. references and notes