NCJ Number
100649
Date Published
1984
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This review of research on sexual assaulters of adult women covers cross-cultural comparisons of the incidence of rape, rapists' characteristics compared to nonsexual assaulters, treatment, and theories of sexual assault.
Abstract
While the literature is far from definitive, this review indicates that most men are capable of rape, but that its frequency varies with cultural variables, such as the prevalence of male warlike behavior and the extent of social upheaval. Studies of men in Western society reveal marked individual differences in their proclivity to rape, sexual arousability to rape descriptions, and attitudes to rape. Two independent factors, however, appear associated with rapists: criminality and an erotic attraction to violent sexuality. Few differences have been found between rapists and nonsexual offenders in personality, intelligence, drug addiction, testosterone levels, or social competence. Alcohol does appear related to the propensity to rape and to injure the victim. Although there are no comparative evaluations of different treatments, behavioral methods and antiandrogen treatment appear promising. Important areas for future research include a taxonomy to bring order to observed individual differences among rapists and the development of male sexual interest in consenting and aggressive sexual activities. Approximately 275 references. (Author abstract modified)