Current Cultural Configurations of Rape/Sexual Assault

This study examines current cultural configurations of rape/sexual assault, with particular focus on areas that have seen recent changes in the law. These areas include the ability to consent (based on incapacitation and on victim/offender relationship), different types of sexual acts, and degree of force. The study utilizes vignette methodology to systematically and comprehensively evaluate how individuals determine whether a sexual encounter is a sexual assault based on degrees of consent and resistance, numerous circumstantial factors, and the interactions among these factors. In addition, this study examines variables that have not yet been extensively studied---for example, female sexual orientation and drug or alcohol induced unconsciousness---to the discussion about cultural configurations of rape/sexual assault. Findings of interest include the association of the use of intoxicants and identifying the incident as a rape/sexual assault depending on the male/female relationship, and even small degrees of resistance being associated with a sharp increase in the likelihood of identifying an incident as a rape/sexual assault. Overall, this study found that not all aspects of "real rape" ideology seem to apply to the sample studied here.