Sociocultural Context of African American and White American Women's Rape

• NCJ Number: 137764
• Journal: Journal of Social Issues Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 77-91
• Author(s): G E Wyatt
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01MH33603
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To broaden understanding of why rape is hidden, this paper examines historical factors related to African American women's rape and their disclosure patterns and compares similarities and differences in incidents of attempted or completed rape among a community sample of 55 African American and white women in Los Angeles County. The research identifies ethnic and cultural factors that affect women's reactions and adjustments to sexual assault.

Abstract

No significant ethnic differences in the prevalence of rape incidents were noted. African American women tended to report a higher proportion of attempted rape incidents. Most of the incidents were perpetrated by someone known to the women (54 percent of incidents reported by African American and 48 percent of incidents reported by white women), but black women reported slightly more incidents by strangers. Negative psychological effects including fear, anger, anxiety, depression, and preoccupation with the abuse incident were identified in 85 percent of African American women's incidents and 86 percent of white women's reports. Strategies for rape prevention need to empower African American women, to confirm their right to be protected from rape, and to control what happens to their bodies. 34 references (Author abstract modified)