This review article examines rape victims' experiences seeking postassault assistance from the legal, medical, and mental health systems and how those interactions impact their psychological well-being. This literature suggests that although some rape victims have positive, helpful experiences with social system personnel, for many victims,…

Notes that sexual aggression is determined by multiplicity of variables and that convicted sexual offenders are markedly heterogeneous. Surveys offender and nonoffender sexual aggression research for evidence about which dimensions should be included in multivariate models that attempt to discriminate rapists from nonrapists, to identify subgroups…

In South Africa, females under the age of 18 comprise approximately 40% of the rapes and other forms of sexual assault that occur. However, South African girls face multiple barriers to seeking help in the aftermath of sexual assault. This literature review provides an overview of childhood sexual assault in South African girls and addresses…

This poster presentation addresses the issue of date rape, specifically in the college environment. Highlighted are date rape statistics, demographics, and date rape drugs. Also discussed are date rape warnings and prevention strategies. It is concluded that college and university administrators must place the issue of date rape and acquaintance…

Reviews models developed to identify cognitive mediators of rape judgments. Recent models examine perceptions of perpetrator's violent behavior and of victim's desire for intercourse as mediators of effects of violence levels and victim's behavior upon rape judgments. Sex differences in models suggest that female evaluators may be more likely to…

Performed meta-analyses on nine studies of subjects' (n=434) penile responsivity to rape stimuli. Mean effect size for raw score data suggested that most sexual aggressors against women exhibit slightly more rape arousal than control or comparison subjects, whereas mean effect size for rape index (rape arousal:consenting sexual arousal) data…

Due to rising violent crime rates, crime and fear of victimization have joined health, income and housing as major concerns of older Americans. This guide proposes solutions which reflect the best available information. The three main sections focus on rape of women over 50, its prevention, and education programs and training aids. The guidelines…

Evaluates effectiveness of a sexual assault education program on 224 college women. Women in the treatment group participated in a 1-hour sexual assault education program. Participants returned for a 7-month follow-up session and assessment. Results indicate that the program was successful in increasing knowledge about sexual assault, but not…

Our criticism and evaluation of young adult literature is tempered not only by the scope of our knowledge of adolescent literature in general, but also by our notions of adolescence, itself. Adolescent literature that, in Michael Cart's terminology, "shatters the shibboleths" of adolescence and adolescent culture, has the potential to re-shape the…

Presents a literature review concerning the effects of rape on sexual functioning and suggestions for facilitating sexual recovery of rape survivors in counseling. (Author)

Summarizes the literature examining the association between acceptance of rape myths and exposure to pornography. States that nonexperimental methodology shows that exposure to pornography does not increase rape myth acceptance, while experimental studies show that exposure to pornography increases rape myth acceptance. Concludes that experimental…

During the past 20 years, researchers have documented the widespread problem of rape in American society. Approximately one in four women are raped in their adult lifetime, which causes severe psychological distress and long-term physical health problems. The impact of sexual assault extends far beyond rape survivors as their family, friends, and…

This paper on sexual assault defines the terms connected with sexual assault and identifies the most common situations in which sexual assault occurs. Information on the types of people who are sexual assault offenders is presented. Common myths concerning sexual assault, particularly rape, that are held in some segments of society are presented…

Reviews research since 1970 on the effects of pornography on men's treatment of, and underlying attitudes toward, women. Holds that anger is a greater social problem than pornography, particularly in men who are unable to resolve that anger and to distinguish it from sexual arousal and control over women. (Author/GC)

Examines how men and women judge the presence of risk factors in a scripted acquaintance rape scenario and if alcohol was a significant factor in assessing risk. Significant differences were found in African American and Caucasian participants' attitudes toward rape and risk appraisal. There was a negative correlation between risk appraisal and…