Chapter 6: Rape and Sexual Assault
A Crime of VIolence:
★ Few crimes evoke such a visceral reaction as rape
○ This is because it is a violation of the most intimate kind
○ Rape is also a crime that is subject to more misunderstandings than many other
types of violence
■ We tend to perceive it as a crime only against women
● Women are more likely to be victims and men offenders, but
anyone can be sexually assaulted
■ We tend to think of it only in terms of forced intercourse
■ Have perceptions concerning unacceptable behavior changed recently?
How Many Victims are There?:
★ One of the more accurate surveys is the National VIolence Against Women and Men
Survey that suggests the following:
○ Over 900,000 men and women over the age of 18 become the victins of rape
annually
★ The only estimates of rape and sexual assault available at most levels, including state and
city, are from less reliable police reports
★ Less than 3 out of 10 report being victimized. Why?
○ Of the intimate nature of the assault
○ Fear of retaliation from the offender
○ Fear of not being believed
○ Shame, embarrassment, and social stigma
○ Fear of being victimized by the justice system as well (i.e. second rape)
Demographic Factors from the NISVS:
★ Estimates of about 20% of women over a lifetime, 1% of men
○ Other methodologies result in a bit higher percentage of about 25% of women
★ Younger poeple have the highest rates of rape, with those 16 to 19 years of age being at
the greatest risk of rape
○ The majority is younger than 25, about half are under 18
★ By the age of 35 the risk of rape decreases significantly and remains at low levels
throughout the remainder of the life course
★ More than 80% of victims knew their rapist
★ Income also appears to be related to rape victimization
○ Individuals living in families with lower incomes have an increased risk of
victimization compared to individuals residing in families with higher incomes
Rape and Molestation of Children:
★ Issues of cover ups
★ Sandusky
★ Church
○ Southern Baptist Church
○ Sex abuse scandals within the catholic church
★ Global sex trade
○ Understand the countries most affected by this are typically in the poorer areas of
the world, mostly from eastern Europeand southeast Asia
★ Child protection services divisions are mandated to remove victims from abusive
situations
○ All states have mandatory reporting laws, requiring action from school and
healthcare personnel
★ Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (1974)
