NCJ Number
182127
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 204-221
Editor(s)
George B. Palermo M.D.
Date Published
April 2000
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Because researchers often base their studies of the relationship between gender equality and rape on the claims of feminists but feminists proposed both negative and positive relationships between these variables, the authors examined the relationship between gender equality and rape using cross-national data.
Abstract
Data were obtained from records of the International Criminal Police Organization for 1991 and 1992. Rape was the key dependent variable in the study. Indicators of gender equality included 1992 statistics on female education and female labor force participation. A positive relationship was found between gender equality and rape. This finding was counter to the liberal feminist proposition suggesting that reforms in gender equality would reduce rape rates. In addition, similar to several previous studies, homicide and rape rates were positively associated, as suggested by the subculture of violence thesis. An appendix lists countries included in the analysis. 61 references and 5 tables