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The term rape has different meanings for different segments of the population. For example, within the field of psychology, the terms rape and sexual assault are often used interchangeably and encompass a range of nonconsensual acts from touching the breasts, buttocks, or genitals, to forced penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth, by a penis or an object. In this case, force can involve verbal coercion, threats, physical restraint, or violence. Although laws vary by state, the generally accepted legal definition of rape is an act of sexual intercourse carried out by force or coercion, or when the victim is unable to give consent.

While many people think that stranger rape, the man hiding in the bushes wearing a ski mask, is more common, research indicates that date or acquaintance rape is much more prevalent. Statistics show that about 85% of sexual assaults are committed by someone whom the victim knows, and 57% of assaults are perpetrated by romantic partners. Because of the stigma associated with admitting to having been raped and differing definitions of rape, it is difficult to know what the true incidence and prevalence statistics are for rape. However, across the life span and regardless of age or socioeconomic status, studies consistently demonstrate that prevalence rates for rape are between 15% and 25%. In terms of the age of rape victims, the youngest rape victim ever reported was 2 months old, while the oldest was 97 years old.

Thus far rape has been discussed as it relates to women, yet it is important to realize that men can be victims of rape as well. Typically, men are victimized by other men. Research indicates that while male rape make up about 5% of all reported rapes, 95% of male rape victims do not report the assault. The FBI estimates that 1 in 10 men are the victims of adult sexual assault.

Part of the reason that rape is an underreported crime and one that is viewed with a great deal of skepticism is the presence of rape myths. Rape myths are generally defined as false beliefs about various aspects of rape that inadvertently support the presence of rape within society by denying the prevalence, impact, and severity of the crime. Rape myths essentially call into question the guilt of the perpetrator and the innocence of the victim by focusing attention on irrelevant factors such as the victim's dress or behavior or by implying that certain circumstances justify rape. According to one commonly known rape myth,women often falsely accuse men of rape. In reality, the rate of false reporting of rape is less than 1%, while the false report rate for all other crimes is estimated to be around 3%.

The psychological sequelae of rape are numerous. Research shows that rape produces both initial effects as well as long-term impact on victims. Short-term sequelae of rape include physical and emotional injuries, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, feelings of guilt, betrayal, responsibility, shame, inadequacy, inability to trust, fear of men, fear of being alone, insomnia, problems concentrating, nightmares, and an increased susceptibility to stress-related illnesses. Long-term effects of rape include depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, relationship problems, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most common psychiatric diagnosis given to rape victims post-assault is PTSD. The symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive images of the assault, feelings of emotional numbness, irritability, anxiety, avoidance of all trauma cues, hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. Studies indicate that 94% of rape victims meet the criteria for PTSD between 1 and 3 weeks post-assault. While some rape victims can recover either spontaneously or with treatment, others can suffer from symptoms of PTSD for decades after the assault.

Bibliography:

Bownes, I. T., O'Gorman, E. C., & Sayers, A. (1991). Psychiatric symptoms, behavioral responses, and posttraumatic stress disorder in rape victims. Issues in Criminal and Legal Psychology, 1, 25-33.

Brownmiller, S. (1975). Against our will: Men, women, and rape. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Burt, M. R. (1980). Cultural myths and supports for rape. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 277-322.

Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--From domestic violence to political terror. New York: Basic Books.

Koss, M. P. (2000). High? Low? Changing?: What's new in rape prevalence. Retrieved from http://www.musc.edu/vawprevention/research/newprevalence.shtml

Koss, M. P., Gidycz, C. A., & Wisniewski, N. (1987). The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of higher education students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 162-170.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America. (1998). What is rape? Some legal definitions. Retrieved from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/info-for-teens/

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