Transcript Chapter 17 Sexual Coercion Types of Rape • Stranger rape • Acquaintance rape • Date rape • Statutory rape.

Chapter 17
Sexual Coercion
Types of Rape
• Stranger rape
• Acquaintance rape
• Date rape
• Statutory rape
Prevalence of Rape
• 11.9%-28% depending on study
• 1 in 6 women, 3% of men
• Underreported for many reasons
– Victim’s self-blame or denial
– Mistrust of police, legal system
– Fear of retaliation from rapist
– Concern about publicity
Incidence of Rape by Sex of Victim
False Beliefs About Rape
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“Women can’t be raped if they don’t want to be”
“Women say no when they mean yes”
“Many women ‘cry rape’”
“All women want to be raped”
“Rapists are obviously mentally ill”
“Men can’t control their sexual urges”
Psychosocial Bases of Rape
• Rape frequency influenced by the nature of
relations between the sexes
• Status of women
• Boy’s attitudes
– Rape-prone societies
– Societies with no rape
– Stereotyped gender roles
– Peer group acceptance
Psychosocial Bases of Rape:
Impact of Media
• Heightens acceptance of sexual violence
• Heightens likelihood of coercive sex
• Physiologic findings inconsistent
Characteristics of Rapists
• Embrace male-dominance
• Anger toward women
• Alcohol may contribute
• Self-centered; less sensitive
• History of progressively more violent sexual
offenses
Characteristics of Female Rape Victims
• 50% under age of 18
• Cultural differences in reporting
• Low SES may confer greater risk
• Victims of childhood sexual abuse at increased
risk for adult sexual revictimization
Age Breakdown of Women Rape Victims
Acquaintance Rape:
Role of Perceptions & Communication
• Sexual scripts
• Misinterpretations & double messages
• Nonverbal communication
• Justification
Date Rape Drugs
• Rohyphnol: sedative causing muscle relaxation
and amnesia
• Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GBH) and Ketamine
hydrocloride (Special K)
Wartime Rape
• U.N. 1996 declaration: crime of war
• Motivated by attempts to dominate, humiliate,
control
• Destroy family & societal bonds
• Terrorize population
Aftermath of Rape
• Initial feelings of shame, anger, fear, guilt,
powerlessness
• Self-blame
• Physical symptoms frequently occur
• Impaired sexual functioning
• PTSD; distress developed after trauma
• Less severe repercussions if counseling begun
ASAP
Aftermath of Rape
PLAY
VIDEO
Rape and Sexual Assault of Males
• Although vast majority of sexual assault victims
are women, men are also targets of rape
• Men less likely than women to report rape
• Gay men, prison inmates, and prisoners of war
more likely to be raped
Sexual Abuse of Children
• Child-sexual abuse: adult sexual contact with a
child
• Sexual contact with a child is always coercive
because children cannot give informed consent
• Incest: with a relative
• Pedophilia or molestation: with a non-relative
Sexual Abuse of Children
• Prevalence
– Girls
– Boys
20-33%
9-16%
• Brother-sister & first cousin incest is most
common
• Father-daughter reported more & has greater
negative impact
Sexual Abuse of Children:
Recovered Memories
• Many abuse victims do not remember
documented abuse
• Controversy: Are memories planted by
therapists?
Sexual Abuse of Children:
Pedophiles in Cyberspace
• Internet provides increased opportunities to take
advantage of children
• First gain child’s trust then try and arrange
meeting
• Communications Decency Act, 1996
• Prevention
Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
• Often affects intimate adult relations
• Intrusive, violent assaults of longer duration
associated with worse outcome
• Sex difference
• Variety of treatment programs
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
• Treatment programs for offenders have not
demonstrated long term effectiveness
• Megan’s Law
• Early education for boys & girls
Sexual Harassment
• Unwanted sexual attention in the workplace or
academic setting
• Very common: 42% women; 15% men
• Prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights
Act
• Two types: verbal or physical
– Quid pro quo
– Hostile or offensive environment
Sexual Harassment:
Severity Levels
• Mild:
Sexual or sexist remarks
Unwelcome intrusion
• Intermediate: Graphic comments
• Severe:
Requiring sexual services
Sexual Harassment:
Effects on the Victim
• Financial loss
• Psychological reactions
• Physical symptoms
• Personal relationships
Same-Sex Sexual Harassment
• Recent increase in same-sex sexual harassment
claims
• Difficult to pursue legally
• Federal law narrowly interpreted as between
men-women
Dealing with Sexual Harassment
• If assaulted, file criminal charges
• If not assaulted, confront harasser
• Discuss with supervisor
• Discuss appropriately with coworkers
• File official complaint or lawsuit
Sexual Harassment in Academic Settings
• Coercion focuses on grades, letters of
recommendation, work, or research
opportunities
• Many colleges & universities ban professorstudent romances
• Incidence:
– 20-40% undergraduate women; 9-20% men
– 30-50% graduate women
– 33-50% medical students