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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
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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
False Beliefs About Rape • “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
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 20-33% • Boys 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 professor-student romances • Incidence: • 20-40% undergraduate women; 9-20% men • 30-50% graduate women • 33-50% medical students