NCJ Number
128598
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The chapter discusses what is known and not known about sexual coercion, its nature, causes, and its prevention as a summary of the proceeding parts of the book.
Abstract
Sexual coercion is a multidimensional phenomenon consisting of legal, sociocultural, interpersonal, and psychological aspects. The nature of sexual coercion starts the discussion. First, it is relatively commonplace. Second, it is primarily a unidirectional phenomenon; it is perpetuated by men against women. The causes of sexual coercion are then presented. Attempts to understand the roots of it are hampered somewhat by the fact that most theorists explain only one type of act. The feminist theory is perhaps best able to account for all forms of sexual violence against women. The prevention of sexual coercion involves intervention early in life. The intervention should approach the problem at each of three levels: the institutional, the interpersonal, and the individual. The suggestion is made that efforts to eliminate sexual violence may be best directed at social institutions.