The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects data on crimes that are not reported to the police as well as those that are reported. Because some crimes are difficult or impossible to examine in a general population survey, the NCVS measures only the personal victimizations of rape, robbery, assault, and theft, and the household crimes…

Staff of a rape crisis agency recognized the need for counseling services for survivors of sexual assault, but were unable to provide on-going counseling on a regular basis due to a staffing shortage. A support group for adult female rape victims was formed to reduce individual therapists' caseloads, to provide counseling services to a greater…

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…

This publication concerning rape committed by acquaintances and "friends" is designed to provide information and support for college students. The early warning signs and how to react to potential "acquaintance" or "date" rape are addressed. Consideration is given to why this type of rape occurs and information is provided on how to avoid date…

This document provides witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to consider the problems of juvenile victims in sexual assault cases. Opening statements are given by Senators Arlen Specter, Paul Simon, and Mitch McConnell. The recent controversy concerning the rape conviction of Gary Dotson and the…

Because violent crime may produce persistent stress-related problems for many victims, it is important to determine what factors best predict development and persistence of stress-related problems. A study was conducted to examine the extent to which development and persistence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could be predicted on the…

Research has shown rape to be an act of violence which affects the lives of many individuals each year. For many survivors of rape, effects on psychological functioning and lifestyle may endure for many years. This study was undertaken to develop and pilot the Rape Assessment Schedule, an interview schedule designed to assess the very long-term…

This manual is addressed to personnel in medical facilities, prosecutor's offices, police departments and social service agencies. It suggests a set of procedures as guidelines to provide sexual assault victims with strong support so that each one may come through the the experience a stronger person. The manual is divided into five chapters,…

Questionnaires containing one of nine stories about a sexual act between a man and woman, as well as bipolar judgment scales about the behavior and characteristics of the actors in the story, were given to 90 undergraduate college students. Low, moderate, and high levels of struggle on the part of the woman and of psychological coercion on the…

The report begins with a discussion of rape and its victims. It proceeds to more technical information about the filing, preliminary hearings and grand juries, plea bargaining, trial preparation, trial and sentencing information which is geared towards the prosecutor. Finally, the report concludes with appendices presenting sample forms for…

This selective, annotated bibliography provides guidance to the source and content of a small proportion of the existing publicity about rape, Non-English-language publications, as well as those receiving only limited distribution, are excluded. All materials are recent, most having been published during the 1970's. Outdated materials, such as…

The Toronto Transit Commission employees were on strike for 23 days, producing a total shut-down of all public transportation and a resulting increase in the number of hitch-hiking females. The strike provided a novel and unique opportunity to empirically examine two theories of sexual assault and to evaluate the effects of hitch-hiking upon…

Two studies were conducted that explored observers' perceptions of responsibility of a victim for her involvement in a premeditated crime. Male and female college students listened to tapes of a purported victim describing a crime (either a rape or a mugging). There was general tendency toward a sympathetic reaction pattern. (Author)

Sexual abuse can have many disturbing consequences for the child and the family. A counseling approach should be to help an abused child and the offender feel that they are still worthwhile individuals. Underlying issues in the family should also be explored. (Author)

Female rape victims, assault victims, and appropriately matched non-victimized controls completed a questionnaire at several time periods during a one-year interval. The questionnaires assessed the participants' perceptions of the effectiveness of the police, judiciary, and penal system in handling several types of crimes. (Author)