Rape reporting: "Classic Rape" and the behavior of law. 2009

Jody Clay-Warner, and Jennifer McMahon-Howard
Kennesaw State University, USA. jclayw@uga.edu

Two theories of rape reporting, the Classic Rape perspective and Black's Theory of the Behavior of Law, are tested in this article. We offer the first comprehensive multivariate test of Classic Rape predictions among a nationally representative sample of victims, as well as the first test of Black's predictions for rape reporting. Through the construction of multinomial regression models, we are able to examine reporting patterns for both victims and third parties. Weapon use and physical injury consistently predicted reporting. The likelihood of victim reporting significantly increased when assaults occurred either in public or through a "home blitz," whereas place of assault did not affect the likelihood of third-party reporting. On the other hand, victim-offender relationship significantly affected the likelihood of third-party reporting but was not significant in the victim-reporting models. There were mixed findings regarding Black's stratification and morphology predictions, and we found no significant effects for culture, organization, or social control. Overall, these findings lend greater support to the Classic Rape perspective than to Black's model.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007722 Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviors which pertain to health-related topics such as PATHOLOGIC PROCESSES or diseases, their prevention, and treatment. This term refers to non-health workers and health workers (HEALTH PERSONNEL). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011902 Rape Sexual intercourse without consent of the victim.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012650 Self Disclosure A willingness to reveal information about oneself to others. Disclosure, Self,Disclosures, Self,Self Disclosures
D012938 Social Perception The perceiving of attributes, characteristics, and behaviors of one's associates or social groups. Perception, Social,Perceptions, Social,Social Perceptions
D013239 Stereotyped Behavior Relatively invariant mode of behavior elicited or determined by a particular situation; may be verbal, postural, or expressive. Behavior, Stereotyped,Behaviors, Stereotyped,Stereotyped Behaviors
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.

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