NCJ Number
58837
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
DEVELOPED AS PART OF A RAPE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS, THIS FILM EXPLORES THE THEME THAT INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS CAN LEAD TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.
Abstract
A CASUAL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE AT A PARTY LEADS TO A SPECIFIC TYPE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CALLED ACQUAINTANCE RAPE. THE YOUNG WOMAN IN THE VIGNETTE WANTS TO BE DESIRED AND LIKED AND TRIES TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE YOUNG MAN. HOWEVER, HER CONDITIONED BEHAVIOR LEADS HER TO GIVE HIM THE WRONG SIGNALS, WHICH THE MAN THEN MISINTERPRETS AS AN INVITATION TO A SEXUAL ENCOUNTER. BY SPOTLIGHTING THE SEX-ROLE STEREOTYPES--MALES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AGGRESSIVE, FEMALES SUBMISSIVE--THE FILM SHOWS TEENAGERS HOW CULTURAL CONDITIONING, COMBINED WITH PERSONALITY ELEMENTS CAN LEAD TO VIOLENT CONFRONTATION. A TEACHING GUIDE WHICH ACCOMPANIES THE FILM CAN PROVOKE CLASS DISCUSSION AND POINT OUT THE NECESSITY OF ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR TO BREAK DOWN THE CULTURAL BARRIERS. THE GOAL IS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO DEVELOP A DIALOGUE ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE WISHES AND NEEDS. OTHER DISCUSSION MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)