| Rape--a comparison of stranger and acquaintance assaults. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 2062190 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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One of the variables that influences victim trauma in rape attacks is the relationship between assailant and victim (Ellis, 1981). Rapes by strangers have been shown to involve more violence and trauma (Katz and Mazur, 1979). Rapes by acquaintances may involve a betrayal of trust. The study compares 21 rape attacks where the assailant was known to the victim with 30 attacks where the assailant was a stranger. Three main elements of each assault are described: the contextual nature of the rape encounter, the assault characteristics (force, injuries, nature of sexual activity) and the post-rape behaviour. Significant differences were found between the two groups in each of these respects. Contact between rapist and victim took place in a social setting immediately prior to the assault in significantly more of the acquaintance rapes. Significantly more of the stranger rapes involved the display of a weapon. Coercive reciprocation of sexual activity occurred in proportionately more of stranger rapes. The role of verbal aggression was more prominent in acquaintance rapes. Significantly more of the acquaintance rapists (95% as opposed to 17%) interacted with the victim after the overtly sexual part of the attack. Two types of behaviour were displayed in almost equal proportions. Conciliatory/non-threatening behaviour consistent with a distorted affirmation of a person-orientated relationship with the victim was displayed by 43% of these assailants; 48% displayed threatening behaviour. We believe that stranger and acquaintance rapes can be clearly differentiated in terms of the behavioural dimensions of the assault. An understanding of such differences has implications for professionals involved in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders and their victims. |
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Authors:
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I T Bownes; E C O'Gorman; A Sayers |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Medicine, science, and the law Volume: 31 ISSN: 0025-8024 ISO Abbreviation: Med Sci Law Publication Date: 1991 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1991-08-05 Completed Date: 1991-08-05 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0400721 Medline TA: Med Sci Law Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 102-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Mental Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Aggression Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology Humans Incidence Interpersonal Relations Middle Aged Rape / psychology* Sexual Behavior Social Environment |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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