NCJ Number
137761
Journal
Journal of Social Issues Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 23-44
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Researchers' definitions of sexual assault, rape, and related terms are examined in the context of studies that investigated the incidence and prevalence of sexual coercion, sequelae of sexual coercion, and characteristics of perpetrators.
Abstract
Definitions of sexual assault, rape, and related terms vary along several dimensions: the sexual behaviors specified, the criteria for establishing nonconsent, the individuals specified, and the perspective specified, namely, who decides whether sexual assault has occurred. Conventional definitions of rape tend to be narrow with regard to these dimensions. Traditional definitions label an incident as "rape" only if it involves penile-vaginal intercourse perpetuated by a stranger with a weapon and only if the victim, police, prosecutor, and jury all agree that the incident was rape. Such definitions give the advantage to men over women: they heighten the distinction between coercive sex that is considered unacceptable and coercive sex that is considered acceptable; and they promote images of "real rape" by strange men as a means to frighten women and to act as a form of social control, keeping women off the streets and out of male territory and thus limiting their freedom. Researchers' definitions of rape and sexual assault must be examined critically because they convey the power of "scientific authority." 1 table and 62 references (Author abstract modified)