Women ’get blame for being raped’

The research concerning serial rapists' behavior during and following the commission of the crimes has determined that:

1. The majority of the rapes were premeditated

2. The ``con'' approach was used most often in initiating contact with the victim

3. A threatening presence and verbal threats were used to maintain control over the victim

4. Minimal or no force was used in the majority of instances

5. The victims physically, passively or verbally resisted the rapists in slightly over 50% of the offenses.

6. The most common offender reaction to resistance was to verbally threaten the victim

7. Slightly over one-third of the offenders experienced a sexual dysfunction, and the preferred sexual acts were vaginal rape and forced fellatio.

8. Low levels of pleasure were reported by the rapists from the sexual acts

9. The rapists tended not to be concerned with precautionary measures to protect their identities

10. Approximately one-third of the rapists had consumed alcohol prior to the crime and slightly less reported using some other drug.

 

The most common post-offense behavior reported by the rapists were feelings of remorse and guilt, following the case in the media and an increase in alcohol and drug consumption. These characteristics, although not generally applicable to every rapist, can be helpful in learning more about offenders, their behaviors and the heinous crime of rape.