CH. 15 Sexual Coercion

  • Rape

    • nonconsensual oral,anal, or vaginal penetration obtained by force, threat of force, or when the victim is incapable of giving consent

  • Rape statistics:

    • Women

      • 1 in 5 women have been raped

      • More than half were raped by an intimate partner

      • Over 40 % were by an acquaintance

      • Over 25 % of women have experienced unwanted sexual contact

      • 80 % were raped before the age 25, with 42 % of those being before the age of 18

    • Men

      • 1 in 71 men have been raped

      • More than half were by an acquaintance

      • 11 % of men have experienced unwanted sexual contact

      • More than 25 % of male victims were raped when they were 10 or younger

  • 4 major theoretical views regarding rape

    • 1. Victim- Precipitated rape- victim engage in behaviors to solicit rape

    • 2. Psychopathology of rapists- rape is committed by psychologically individuals

    • 3. Feminist perspective- rape is a product of gender role socializations

    • 4. Social disorganization perspective- Rape like all violence is a product of a disrupted social structure

  • Rape culture

    • Deeply entrenched cultural attitudes about gender and sexuality that shape people’s attitudes about rape

    • supported by rape myths

    • US is a rape culture

  • Common Rape myths

    • Dressing Provocatively is “asking for it“

    • Going back to someone’s room, house, etc., means they want to have sex

    • It’s not rape if people know each other

    • only young pretty women are raped

    • it’s only rape if people put up a fight

  • The role of alcohol in sexual assault

    • 75 % of perpetrators had used alcohol prior to sexual assault

    • Pharmacological effects on the perpetrator- impairs decision making, planning, and inhibition.

    • Psychological effects on perpetrators- makes you sexually inhibited,

    • Effects on the victims- Impairs decision making, Reduce anxiety ( not noticing threats)

  • Characteristics of rapists

    • Tend to believe rape myths

    • Believe that men are superior to women

    • View woman as sexual objects

    • View women as dangerous and deceptive

    • have poor inhibition and self control

    • Believe that some urges are too strong to be controlled

    • lack empathy

  • Preventing Rape

    • Change cultural attitudes about rape!!

    • Avoid situations in which there is high risk of rape

    • Know self defense techniques in case a rape attempt is made

  • Child sexual abuse

    • Most perpetrators are males

    • Most are known to the victim (famil or friend)

    • Most cases involve touching the genitals ( not penetration)

    • about 20 %of cases involve forced sexual intercourse

  • Pedophilia

    • Pedophilia- adult that has sexual fantasies or engages in sexual activities with prepubescent child

    • Treatments:

      • Lupron (antiandrogen drug)

      • antidepressants(SSRIs)

      • Behavioral treatment- classical conditioning

      • COgnitive behavioral treatment