NCJ Number
215446
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2006 Pages: 441-456
Date Published
September 2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study reviewed empirical and theoretical studies of the relationship between women's risk perception and their sexual victimization.
Abstract
Research findings suggest that sexual assault prevention programs must decrease women's optimism about low personal risk while helping them to respond to particular risks and threats once they are identified. Given the higher risk for acquaintance rape compared with stranger rape, women's alertness for risks in interactions with persons they know must be primary. Researchers generally agree that women are aware that sexual assaults occur, but they believe they are at a lower risk for sexual assault than their peers; however, this is not necessarily true for women with victimization histories. Several studies have shown that previously victimized women viewed their risk of a future sexual assault as higher than did women without such histories. Several studies have found that risk recognition is related to victimization status; however, other studies have found no such relationship and suggest that victimization status is related to women's behavioral responses to a potentially threatening situation, rather than their ability to recognize risk. Some of the inconsistencies in findings may be due to methodological differences. Regarding situational factors and risk recognition, research suggests that women in general believe that excessive alcohol use by both themselves and a potential perpetrator poses a risk for sexual victimization. The appreciation of this risk, however, is tempered by women's belief that they would be better able than other women to handle risky situations if they were under the influence of alcohol. Although women correctly recognize that acquaintance rape is more common than stranger rape, they still fear stranger rape more than acquaintance rape. Suggestions are also offered for future research. 4 tables and 63 references