NCJ Number
87329
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 17 Issue: 68 Dated: (April 1982) Pages: 29-34
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Empirical studies indicate that rapists experience a diminution of their impulsive response to sexual stimuli after they are given prolonged and regular exposure to programmed sexual stimuli associated with rape.
Abstract
Sexual motive is primary in almost all cases of rape, except where revenge manifested through sexuality is involved. With sex as the primary motive for rape, it is to be expected that premature ejaculation, retarded ejaculation, lack of erection, lack of gratification, or anger and sadistic behavior will occur during rape. Given that the sexual drive, fear, and anger are associated with rape, habituation therapy, which involves the disappearance of arousal through sustained exposure to stimuli, should be expected to extinguish the rapist's intense emotional reaction to sexual stimuli. Stimuli for habituation may include (1) photographs of beautiful women in provocative dress in a setting alone, (2) films of rape scenes, (3) tapes of verbalized rape strategies, and (4) expression of ideas associated with rape. These stimuli should be presented for 45-120 minutes per session. Pre- and post-measures of psychophysiological responses should be taken. Responses to the stimuli should diminish over time and not return after periods of nonexposure to stimuli. Fifteen references are listed.