NCJ Number
62629
Journal
Criminology Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 311-322
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF SWEDISH RESEARCH DATA SUPPORTS THE HYPOTHESIS THAT THERE IS A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A CULTURE WITH A REPUTATION FOR PERMISSIVENESS AND ITS RATE OF FORCIBLE RAPE.
Abstract
SWEDEN HAS A REPUTATION FOR SEXUAL LIBERALITY AND SEX-ROLE EQUALITY, TWO ITEMS WHICH MIGHT BE PRESUMED TO CORRELATE WITH A LOW RATE OF FORCIBLE RAPE. HOWEVER, THE RATE OF RAPE KNOWN TO THE POLICE IN STOCKHOLM IS ABOUT EQUIVALENT TO THAT FOR COMPARABLY-SIZED AMERICAN JURISDICTIONS. NEITHER LAWS NOR REPORTING RATES ARE BELIEVED TO VARY MEANINGFULLY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SWEDEN. THE ARTICLE SUGGESTS THAT THE RAPE IN STOCKHOLM MAY WELL BE A FUNCTION OF A DIFFERENT KIND OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND THAT MORE SOPHISTICATED STUDIES OF RAPE AND OTHER CRIMES OUGHT TO REFINE GROSS MEASUREMENTS NOW EMPLOYED TO SIGNIFY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SWEDISH RAPE RATE APPEARS COMPARATIVELY HIGH BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY MORE 'RAPE-ENCOURAGING ENGAGEMENTS.' A MORE INSTRUCTIVE CRIME INDEX WOULD BE ONE THAT WOULD MEASURE CHARACTERISTICS AND INSTANCES OF SOCIAL LIFE AGAINST THEIR CONSEQUENCES. THE STUDY INDICATES THE NEED FOR CRIME STATISTICS TO BE INTERPRETED IN A MORE GENERIC FASHION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DEAL WITH CROSS-CULTURAL PHENOMENA. TABULAR DATA, NOTES AND REFERENCES ACCOMPANY THE REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MJW)