NCJ Number
166324
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1997) Pages: 177-204
Date Published
1997
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Published studies of rape avoidance are reviewed to evaluate the scientific basis for rape avoidance advice, and results are evaluated in light of conceptual and methodological limitations of the literature.
Abstract
Evidence consistently suggests the effectiveness of forceful resistance strategies to avoid rape. Few studies, however, have analyzed resistance within social and situational contexts of rape to provide situation-specific information about rape avoidance. Larger, representative community studies are needed in which a broader range of situational factors, resistance strategies, and assault outcomes are assessed. Interactions between contextual factors such as preassault alcohol use and the link between the victim-offender relationship and offense behavior should be tested, and data on the sequential ordering of offender attack and victim resistance should be analyzed to enhance prediction of the probability of completed rape and physical injury to victims. Assault-related variables are noted, such as assault location, time of day, weapon presence, environmental interventions, offender aggression, and victim resistance. Specific recommendations for future research on rape avoidance are offered. 78 references and 1 table