Chapter 17 Sexual Coercion

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Chapter 17Sexual Coercion
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Types of Rape

• Stranger rape
• Acquaintance rape
• Date rape
• Statutory rape

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Prevalence of Rape

• 1 in 6 women, 3 of men
• Underreported for many reasons
• Victims self-blame or denial
• Mistrust of police, legal system
• Fear of retaliation from rapist
• Concern about publicity

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Incidence of Rape by Sex of Victim
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False Beliefs About Rape

• Women cant be raped if they dont 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 cant control their sexual urges

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Psychosocial Basis of Rape

• Rape frequency influenced by the nature of
  relations between the sexes
• Status of women
• Boys attitudes during developmental years
• Rape-prone societies
• Societies with no rape
• Stereotyped gender roles
• Peer group acceptance

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Psychosocial Basis of RapeImpact of Media

• Heightens acceptance of sexual violence
• Heightens likelihood of coercive sex
• Physiologic findings inconsistent

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Characteristics of Rapists

• Embrace male-dominance
• Anger toward women
• Alcohol may contribute
• Self-centered, less sensitive
• History of progressively more violent sexual
  offenses

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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

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Age Breakdown of Women Rape Victims
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Acquaintance RapeRole of Perceptions and
Communication

• Occur in 3 out of 4 rapes
• Sexual scripts
• Misinterpretations and double messages
• Nonverbal communication
• Justification

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Date Rape Drugs

• Rohyphnol (roofies) sedative causing muscle
  relaxation and amnesia
• Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) central nervous
  system depressant
• Ketamine hydrochloride (Special K) central
  nervous system depressant

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Wartime Rape

• U.N. 1996 Declaration crime of war
• Motivated by attempts to dominate, humiliate,
  control
• Destroy familial and societal bonds
• Terrorize population

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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

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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

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Sexual Abuse of Children

• Sexual contact with a child is always coercive
  because children cannot give informed consent
• Child-sexual abuse adult sexual contact with a
  child
• Incest with a relative
• Pedophilia or molestation with a non-relative

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Sexual Abuse of Children

• Prevalence
• Girls 20-33
• Boys 9-16
• Brother-sister and first cousin incest is most
  common
• Father-daughter reported more and has greater
  negative impact

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Characteristics of Child Sexual Abusers

• Mostly heterosexual males
• Cover spectrum of social classes, religions,
  ethnicity and education
• Often times are lonely, shy
• Poor interpersonal skills
• Alcoholism severe marital problems sexual
  difficulties and poor emotional adjustment

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Sexual Abuse of ChildrenRecovered Memories

• Many abuse victims do not remember documented
  abuse
• Controversy Are memories planted by therapists?

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Sexual Abuse of ChildrenPedophiles in Cyberspace

• The Internet provides increased opportunities to
  take advantage of children
• First, gain childs trust then, try to arrange a
  meeting
• 2009 Child Online Protection Act
• Prevention

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Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

• Often affects intimate adult relations
• Low self esteem, PTSD, detrimental parenting
  practices
• Sex difference
• Variety of treatment programs

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Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

• Present prevention-oriented material at young age
• Explain Okay and Not Okay touches to children
• Encourage children to believe they have rights
• Encourage communication be immediate when in
  uncomfortable situations
• Discuss strategies for getting away from
  uncomfortable situations

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Sexual Harassment

• Unwanted sexual attention in the workplace or
  academic setting
• Prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights
  Act
• Two types verbal or physical
• Quid pro quo
• Hostile or offensive environment

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Sexual HarassmentSeverity Levels

• Mild -Sexual or sexist remarks
• -Unwelcome intrusion
• Intermediate -Graphic comments
• Severe -Requiring sexual services

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Same-Sex Sexual Harassment

• Recent increase in same-sex sexual harassment
  claims
• Difficult to pursue legally
• Federal law narrowly interpreted as between men
  and women

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Sexual HarassmentEffects on the Victim

• Financial loss
• Psychological reactions
• Physical symptoms
• Personal relationships

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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

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Sexual Harassment in Academic Settings

• Coercion focuses on grades, letters of
  recommendation, work, or research opportunities
• Many colleges and universities ban
  professor-student romances
• Incidence
• 20-40 undergraduate women 9-29 men
  undergraduate
• 30-50 graduate women