NCJ Number
209386
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 130-140
Date Published
April 2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This literature review focuses on studies of the social, legal, and institutional contexts of college women's heterosexual aggression.
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, scientific studies have repeatedly verified women's sexual aggression, as both women and men have reported that women engage in a broad range of sexually aggressive behaviors toward men. Studies indicate that traditional social norms may encourage men to be sexual initiators and women to be sexually passive; however, these norms are changing. Research has also shown that many men do not report being the targets of sexual aggression by women, and they may not consider themselves victims in such circumstances; however, regardless of whether or not men report women's sexual aggression or perceive themselves as victims, some men experience adverse physical and psychological repercussions from women's sexual aggression. Sexually aggressive women are more likely than men to use coercive tactics instead of physical force in their efforts to have sex with men. The most common tactic used by sexually aggressive women is to take sexual advantage of a man while his judgment is impaired by drugs or alcohol. Although many State legal codes and college conduct codes define rape to be gender neutral, women's sexual aggression is typically viewed as below the threshold for rape. A broader definition of penetration and language that includes oral sex should be incorporated into State and local laws that prohibit having sex with a person against his/her will. Further, future research should consider both men and women as potential sexual aggressors and receivers of aggression and design instruments accordingly. 1 table and 39 references