Describes victimization experienced by rape victims and determines whether any psychological variables were related to victimization status. Psychological variables examined included personality, attitudinal, and situational characteristics relevant to the three major models of rape victimization: social control, victim precipitation, and…

Assessed vulnerability to rape as a function of deficits in coping mechanisms. Comparison of 72 rape victims and 72 controls showed victims were characterized by low levels of psychosocial competency and higher scores on external locus of control. Drug abuse, psychiatric hospitalization, and suicidal thoughts also added to vulnerability. (JAC)

Developed a survey capable of reflecting hidden cases of rape and of documenting a dimensional view of sexual aggression/sexual victimization. The survey was administered to 3,862 university students. Results supported a dimensional view. Discusses the viability of a survey approach to sample selection for future rape research. (Author)

Studied the fears, beliefs, and behaviors of 139 college women about acquaintance and stranger rape. Women were more afraid of stranger rape and took more precautions against it but paradoxically believed that acquaintance rape was more common. Precautionary behaviors were best predicted by level of fear. Theoretical and educational implications…

Examined how sexual assault history and attributions of blame were related to measures of recovery from, and cognitive adaptation to, trauma in a convenience sample of sexual assault victims (N=155). Results indicate that attributions of blame were related to assumptions about self and world but were unrelated to self-rated recovery. (RJM)

Reviews treatment issues in counseling survivors of rape, including sociocultural influences on a woman's response to rape, a survivor's history of victimization, the specific nature of the assault, and a survivor's experiences with victim-blame. A multimodal treatment approach for women who experience chronic symptoms of posttraumatic stress…

Nineteen sexual assault survivors received cognitive processing therapy in group format to help deal with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following rape. Compared to 20-subject waiting list control group, participants improved significantly from pre- to posttreatment on PTSD and depression measures and maintained their improvement for 6…

Explored university students' (n=702) level of sexual activity during six-month period and degree to which they were victims of sexual coercion and assault before and since entering university. Found more than 80 percent of students were sexually active; nearly one in five women had been victims of rape or attempted rape. (Author/ABL)

Analyzes the role of alcohol in sexual assault. Hierarchical multivariate regression showed that victim alcohol abuse propensity and both victim and offender alcohol use prior to attack were directly associated with more severe sexual victimization to women. Suggests that rape and alcohol abuse prevention efforts can benefit by incorporating…

This document considers the usefulness of adventure-based counseling in facilitating recovery from rape. It begins with a brief introduction to this concept and a literature review examining reactions to rape trauma; traditional interventions and implications; and adventure-based counseling interventions. This section concludes that since fear and…

Since state laws prohibiting identification of rape victims were struck down in a 1975 United States Supreme Court ruling, the media have been reconsidering their traditional policy of preserving victims' anonymity. Explaining their decision to begin naming victims in rape trials, several newspapers cite the press's responsibility to provide the…

Although studies indicate that as many as 22 percent of women have been raped, few of these women seek help immediately after the rape. Most rape victims experience a postrape distress response which may not be resolved for some victims. Long-term symptom patterns include fear/avoidance responses, affective constriction, disturbances of…

This annotated bibliography contains 11 documents that describe, analyze and recommend procedures for investigating and prosecuting rape cases. The documents are grouped according to intended audience; there are four volumes for police, three for prosecutors, and one for victims. Also listed are a book analyzing legal issues; a literature review…

Research on rape is handicapped by a paucity of accurate information on frequency of rape. The randomized response technique, designed to produce reliable information in surveys of sensitive issues, is advocated as a means of uncovering true frequencies. Findings are discussed in the context of results from traditional surveys. (Author/ABB)

The purpose of this handbook, created as a component of a sexual assault awareness program at Millikin University, is to provide information needed to assist victims of sexual assault. Information is included on several aspects of sexual assault, as well as references and websites available for additional information. Topics covered include:…