NCJ Number
69183
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1980) Pages: 229-236
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THREE FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE SOCIAL STEREOTYPE OF RAPE (PRIOR RELATIONSHIP OF VICTIM AND OFFENDER, DEGREE OF VIOLENCE, AND DEGREE OF VICTIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ASSAULT SITUATION) INFLUENCE REPORTING OF RAPE.
Abstract
THE 112 FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE SURVEY READ A ONE-PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION OF A SITUATION INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO REPORT THE EVENT TO A FRIEND, A DOCTOR, AND/OR THE POLICE. THE DEGREE OF FORCE USED WAS THE MOST POWERFUL DETERMINANT OF AN ASSAULT BEING DEFINED AS RAPE AND REPORTED TO OTHERS. NONE OF THE FACTORS WAS SIGNIFICANT IN REPORTING THE EVENT TO A FRIEND; MOST SUBJECTS SAID THEY WOULD TELL A FRIEND IN ALL CASES. BOTH FORCE AND PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ASSAILANT INFLUENCED THE 'VICTIMS' DECISION TO REPORT THE ACT TO THE POLICE; THE WOMEN INDICATED LESS WILLINGNESS TO REPORT THE INCIDENT IF THE ATTACKER WAS AN EX-BOYFRIEND THAN IF HE WAS A STRANGER. NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS COULD BE FOUND BETWEEN ANY OF THE VARIABLES AND THE WILLINGNESS TO REPORT THE CRIME TO A DOCTOR. HOWEVER, THE SUBJECTS WERE LESS LIKELY TO CONSULT A DOCTOR IF THE ATTACKER WAS AN EX-BOYFRIEND. VICTIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEING IN AN ASSAULT SITUATION WAS INSIGNIFICANT FOR ALL THREE REPORTING SITUATIONS. A MORE LIBERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD WOMEN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A MORE INCLUSIVE DEFINITION OF RAPE AND GREATER WILLINGNESS TO REPORT THE CRIME. A LIST OF 15 REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.