NCJ Number
52110
Date Published
1977
Length
23 pages
Annotation
PROFILES OF THE VICTIM AND THE RAPIST ARE PRESENTED, THE TYPICAL REASONS FOR AND LOCATIONS OF RAPE CONSIDERED, AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND DEFENSIVE TACTICS SUGGESTED, ALONG WITH POSTASSAULT PROCEDURES.
Abstract
ALL FEMALES, REGARDLESS OF RACE, AGE, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, LIFESTYLE, OR APPEARANCE, ARE POTENTIAL VICTIMS FOR THE RAPIST. THE MOST VULNERABLE TARGET IS THE WOMAN ALONE AT ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. THE RAPIST IS MOST OFTEN AN EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE MAN WHO APPEARS TO FUNCTION IN A REASONABLY NORMAL AND COMPETENT MANNER. HE GENERALLY HAS DIFFICULTY IN ESTABLISHING LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS, AND HIS VICTIMS ARE OFTEN THOSE WITH WHOM HE HAD SOME CONTACT. RAPE IS MORE A CRIME OF AGGRESSION STEMMING FROM FRUSTRATON AND INSECURITY THAN A MEANS OF SEXUAL GRATIFICATION. RAPISTS WISH TO HUMILIATE AND DEGRADE THEIR VICTIMS AND MUST ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED POTENTIALLY VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS. WHILE RAPE CAN AND DOES OCCUR VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE, THE LARGEST SINGLE GROUPING OF REPORTED INCIDENTS IS EITHER IN THE HOME OF THE VICTIM OR THE HOME OF THE ASSAILANT. OTHER POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS ARE LISTED. PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN THE HOME, CAR, AND ON THE STREET ARE OUTLINED AND GENERAL PRECAUTIONS ARE STATED. ALTERNATIVE TACTICS THAT MIGHT BE USED IN THE EVENT OF ATTACK MUST BE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THE SITUATION IN WHICH THE THREAT OCCURS. SOMETIMES, SCREAMING 'FIRE' OR 'CALL THE POLICE' (NOT 'RAPE OR 'HELP') OR BLOWING A WHISTLE MAY FRIGHTEN AN ASSAILANT, BUT IT MAY ONLY INCITE THE RAPIST TO A MORE VIOLENT ATTACK. RUNNING AWAY OR TALKING CALMLY TO THE OFFENDER SO HE MAY PERCEIVE HIS VICTIM AS A PERSON RATHER THAN AN OBJECT ARE ALTERNATIVE TACTICS TO AVOID ATTACK. FIGHTING SHOULD BE THE LAST RESORT, AND THE TACTIC CHOSEN SHOULD SEVERELY INCAPACITATE THE ASSAILANT, SUCH TACTICS ARE OFFERED. POSTASSAULT PROCEDURES FOR VICTIM TREATMENT AND AIDING THE POLICE IN CATCHING THE RAPIST ARE DESCRIBED, AND A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF RAPE VICTIMS IS GIVEN. IT IS NOTED THAT BOYS AND OCCASIONALLY MEN ARE ALSO VICTIMS OF RAPE. THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION TO THE CITIZENS OF FLORIDA. (RCB)