Sexual behavior of assailants during reported rapes

Abstract

The present study reports on the forced sexual, excretory, and sadistic acts that occur during rape. The main sample consisted of 115 adult, adolescent, and child rape victims that were admitted during a 1-year period to the emergency wards of a large municipal hospital. Forced vaginal intercourse was the most frequent act reported, but many other acts also occurred, ranging from fellatio and cunnilingus to urinating on the victim. It is argued that various social-psychological meanings are attached to forced sexual acts, most notably power, anger, and male camaraderie. Pair/group rape differs from single-assailant rape in the emphasis placed on watching and taking turns. Analyzing the social meanings attached to forced sex makes a contribution to our knowledge about the use of sex to express nonsexual issues.

Behavioral Characteristics of Men Accused of Rape: Evidence for Different Types of Rapists

“…They either clustered together or were positioned in a pattern within each of the corresponding perceptual maps, and statistical analysis indicated a good fit or a good explanation for the data. The characteristics associated with each of these types were generally consistent with those proposed by other researchers (e.g., Holmstrom & Burgess, 1980;Knight & Prentky, 1990;Prentky & Knight, 1991). However, not all of the characteristics associated with each of the four types were located within these clusters or patterns, which suggested that some characteristics may not fit with the proposed types.…”

An interpersonal comparison of lone and group rape offences

“…Theories of group dynamics may, therefore, offer explanations for hostile behaviours in group rape, suggesting for example, feelings of male camaraderie (Holmstrom & Burgess, 1980), where offenders are not only interacting with the victim but also members of their own group. Likewise, Bijleveld et al (2007) studied group rape suggesting that rivalry within the group, striving for performance and an element of entertainment all play a role in the behaviours displayed in group rape.…”

“…Group dynamics including peer pressure, groupthink, cohesiveness and modelling (Porter & Alison, 2005;Woodhams, Gillett, & Grant, 2007) have all been suggested to contribute to the nature of group interaction in sexual assault. Researchers have also outlined group rape to be primarily motivated by comradeship and male camaraderie (Groth & Birnbaum, 1980: Holmstrom & Burgess, 1980, an element of excitement, 'kick', or adventure (Scully & Marolla, 1985). Further, there is a view that group rape occurs in the context of violence rather than passion (Hilberman, 1976).…”

“…Previous comparison studies have suggested that group and lone sexual assaults may differ in respect to the theme of cooperation. Sexual behaviour has been widely researched, and in terms of cooperation, offenders fondling and kissing the victim were found to be more common in group assaults (Amir, 1971;Holmstrom & Burgess, 1980). Likewise, multiple rape by the same offender has been suggested to 472…”

A Social Problem: Individual and Group Rape

“…Studies have shown that the attackers acting as a group, compared to those who act alone, differ with respect to cooperation. Group aggressors, in fact, show "affectionate" behaviors more frequently, such as kissing, caressing and gently undressing the victim, to make her "work" (Holmstrom & Burgess, 1980). Alison and Stein found that submissive behavior by the aggressor is not common.…”