NCJ Number
45482
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED OF A STUDY OF RAPE VICTIMS IN NEW MEXICO, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ARE MADE.
Abstract
A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED OF 33 RAPE VICTIMS IN THE METROPOLITAN ALBUQUERQUE AREA IN 1976 AND 1977. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO IDENTIFY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA CONCERNING VICTIMS IN THE AREA, AND EXAMINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE EVENT, VICTIM AND OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS, CASE REPORT/SYSTEM RESPONSES, AND THE DEGREE AND KIND OF TRAUMA EXPERIENCED BY VICTIMS. THE VICTIMS SURVEYED RANGED IN AGE FROM 12 TO 62 YEARS. THEIR RACIAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS APPROXIMATED THOSE OF THE AREA AS A WHOLE; HALF WERE SINGLE, HALF HAD A COLLEGE DEGREE, HALF WERE ROMAN CATHOLICS, AND 24 PERCENT WERE LIVING ALONE. IN ONE-THIRD OF THE CASES, THE VICTIM'S FIRST CONTACT WITH THE OFFENDER TOOK PLACE IN THE VICTIM'S HOME; IN FOUR-FIFTHS OF THE ASSAULTS REPORTED, ONLY ONE OFFENDER WAS INVOLVED. THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS OF THE OFFENDERS ALSO PARALLELED THE AREA'S POPULATION PATTERNS. IN 81.8 PERCENT OF THE ATTACKS, THE RAPIST USED SOME DEGREE OF FORCE; IN 84.8 PERCENT, THE RAPIST WAS A STRANGER TO THE VICTIM. IN SEEKING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, VICTIMS CALLED UPON OTHERS FOR AID IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: (1) POLICE, (2) RELATIVES OTHER THAN SPOUSES OR PARENTS, (3) MALE OR FEMALE FRIENDS, AND (4) A HOSPITAL. THE MAJORITY OF THE WOMEN REPORTED THE ASSAULT TO THE POLICE. THOSE WHO DID NOT DO SO STATED THAT THEY WERE AFRAID OF UNDERGOING COURT PROCEEDINGS; THEY DID NOT WANT ANYONE TO KNOW THEY HAD BEEN RAPED; OR THEY FELT THE POLICE WOULD BE UNABLE TO HELP. IN ALL, 39 PERCENT OF THE VICTIMS REPORTED SOME ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG USE JUST PRIOR TO THE ASSAULT, WHILE 90 PERCENT OF THE RAPISTS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN DRINKING OR USING DRUGS. THE MOST FREQUENT EMOTIONAL RESPONSES REPORTED BY THE VICTIMS WERE ANGER/RESENTMENT, MOOD SWINGS, INSOMNIA, NIGHTMARES, AND FEAR OF RETALIATION. FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT CONFIRMED AND SUPPORTED THOSE OF SIMILAR STUDIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THE PRIMARY SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH WAS IN THE AREA OF SUBSTANCE USE OR ABUSE (I.E., DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL) BY THE VICTIM, AS WELL AS BY THE RAPIST. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (VA)