NCJ Number
146410
Editor(s)
P W Easteal
Date Published
1993
Length
412 pages
Annotation
This volume contains the contributions of participants in a conference entitled "Without Consent: Confronting Adult Sexual Violence," held in Australia, October 27-29, 1992.
Abstract
The conference was a follow-up to a controversial two- part television documentary, "Without Consent," that focused on the devastating effect of rape on the lives of victims. Some topics explored are why many women do not report having been raped, what drives perpetrators to commit such acts, and what can be done to prevent them. Also discussed are public responsibility for and social perceptions of rape, sexual assault legislation, and treatment of offenders. Results of a survey showed that some Australians continue to adhere to myths about rape: that rape is about sex rather than power, that rapists are mentally ill, and that the victim is at least partly to blame. Women were generally shown to be more enlightened than men. Sexual assault workers report that a major reason for victims' not reporting rape was their belief that doing so would not do any good and may even produce a continuation of their nightmare experience. Summaries containing specific recommendations conclude this book. Index