NCJ Number
48985
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE PERPETUATION OF STEREOTYPIC SEXUAL ROLES IS CALLED THE BASIS OF MUCH RAPE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY. THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUALS, THE SOCIETY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL ARE EXAMINED AND A NEED FOR CHANGE INDICATED.
Abstract
AMERICAN SOCIETY IN PARTICULAR AND WESTERN EUROPEAN SOCIETY IN GENERAL EQUATE SEX WITH AGGRESSION. MALES ARE TOLD THEY MUST BE AGGRESSIVE SEXUALLY AND THAT IF THEY ACHIEVE IN SEX, THEY WILL LIKELY ACHIEVE IN OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIFE. THIS MALE MYSTIQUE IS FOUND IN NOVELS, CONTEMPORARY MAGAZINES, AND CLASSIC LITERATURE. MEANWHILE, WOMEN ARE TAUGHT THEY MUST KEEP SEXUAL SITUATIONS UNDER CONTROL AND NOT ENCOURAGE ADVANCES. THESE CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS, COMBINED WITH CULTURAL RELUCTANCE TO BE HONEST ABOUT SEXUAL MATTERS, IS THE BASIS OF MUCH RAPE ON DATES OR BETWEEN ACQUAINTENCES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IF A MAN WHO VIEWS A DINNER INVITATION AS A PAYOFF IS FRUSTRATED WHEN HE LATER TRIES TO HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS, RAPE IS LIKELY TO RESULT. THE MYTH THAT WOMEN WANT TO BE RAPED IS REFLECTED IN THE ATTITUDES OF POLICE, COURTS, AND JURIES. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A RAPE CONVICTION UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN A INJURY. RAPE OR THREAT OF RAPE IS ALSO USED AS A THREAT TO KEEP WOMEN 'IN THEIR PLACE.' THE WOMAN WHO DOES NOT HAVE MALE PROTECTION, WHO LIVES ALONE, GOES WALKING AFTER DARK ALONE, OR GOES TO A BAR ALONE IS VIEWED AS 'ASKING TO BE RAPED.' ISRAEL FOLLOWED THIS LINE OF REASONING WHEN IT SUGGESTED A CURFEW ON WOMEN IN ORDER TO CURB SEXUAL ASSAULTS. PRIME MINISTER GOLDA MEIR REMINDED THE CABINET THAT, 'IT IS THE MEN WHO ARE ATTACKING THE WOMEN. IF THERE IS TO BE A CURFEW, LET THE MEN STAY HOME.' CONTEMPORARY JOKES AND QUOTATIONS FROM OVID ARE ALL INCLUDED TO TRACE VIEWS ON SEX AND AGGRESSION WHICH ENCOURAGE RAPE, AND WHICH SUGGEST THAT WOMEN ACTUALLY WISH TO BE RAPED, AND THAT THEY ENJOY BEING RAPED. TRUE RAPE PREVENTION IS CALLED A MATTER OF CHANGING ATTITUDES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)