Rape

Rape Risk

Several demographic factors are associated with greater risk of being raped. First, as mentioned, women are much more likely to be raped than are men. Age is a second risk factor: Most rapes occur [Page 1326]prior to age 25. For example, in one large study, of the women who reported being raped at some time in their lives, 54 percent were 17 years old or younger when they were first raped. A third demographic factor associated with rape risk is race. In a large national study in the United States, rape was most prevalent among American Indian/Alaska Native women and was least prevalent among Asian/Pacific Islander women.

Alcohol use also is a risk factor. Most rapes on college campuses involve alcohol use by the victim, the perpetrator, or both. In one large-scale study, women at most risk were those who frequently drink to get drunk. Studies of community samples of victims, especially those who seek help at an emergency department after the assault, also indicate that alcohol use is common among victims. Several factors contribute to this finding. For example, sexually aggressive men tend to target women who are drinking or intoxicated and also intentionally use alcohol (and occasionally other drugs) to impair a woman's ability to resist. In an effort to diminish their responsibility, perpetrators may also attribute their own behavior to the fact that they were drinking. Finally, alcohol use by men may make them more likely to misinterpret a woman's behavior as indicating sexual interest. In fact, some studies show a greater role for offender than victim drinking in sexual assaults.

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