THE EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE STRATEGIES ON RAPE

This investigation sought to clarify which resistance strategies were associated with rape avoidance and at what cost. Data were gathered fr om initial and supplemental police reports about 150 sexual assault vi ctims, ages 16 and older, who were assaulted between June 1, 1988, and May 31, 1989, in Omaha, Neb. Although this analysis could not determi ne causality, it did indicate that forceful verbal resistance, physica l resistance, and fleeing were all associated with rape avoidance, whe reas nonforceful verbal resistance and no resistance were associated w ith being raped. Further, women who used forceful resistance were no m ore likely to be injured than women who did not resist.