Abstract
ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence and patterns of rape perpetration in a randomly selected sample of men from the general adult population, to explore factors associated with rape and to describe how men explained their acts of rape.DesignCross-sectional household study with a two- stage randomly selected sample of men.Methods1737 South African men aged 18–49 completed a questionnaire administered using an Audio-enhanced Personal Digital Assistant. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with rape perpetration.ResultsIn all 27.6% (466/1686) of men had raped a woman, whether an intimate partner, stranger or acquaintance, and whether perpetrated alone or with accomplices, and 4.7% had raped in the last 12 months. First rapes for 75% were perpetrated before age 20, and 53.9% (251) of those raping, did so on multiple occasions. The logistic regression model showed that having raped was associated with greater adversity in childhood, having been raped by a man and higher maternal education. It was associated with less equitable views on gender relations, having had more partners, and many more gender inequitable practices including transactional sex and physical partner violence. Also drug use, gang membership and a higher score on the dimensions of psychopathic personality, namely blame externalisation and Machiavellian egocentricity. Asked about why they did it, the most common motivations stemmed from ideas of sexual entitlement.ConclusionsPerpetration of rape is so prevalent that population-based measures of prevention are essential to complement criminal justice system responses. Our findings show the importance of measures to build gender equity and change dominant ideas of masculinity and gender relations as part of rape prevention. Reducing men's exposure to trauma in childhood is also critically important.
Highlights
Rape violates the right to bodily integrity and has an enduring impact on the health and social lives of victims, who are most commonly women and girls [1,2]
Perpetration of rape is so prevalent that population-based measures of prevention are essential to complement criminal justice system responses
Our findings show the importance of measures to build gender equity and change dominant ideas of masculinity and gender relations as part of rape prevention
Summary
Rape violates the right to bodily integrity and has an enduring impact on the health and social lives of victims, who are most commonly women and girls [1,2]. A review published by the World Health Organisation on factors associated with being a female victim identified these as being youth, poverty, physical disability, mental vulnerability, substance abuse, prior victimisation and coming from a dysfunctional home [4]. These markers of vulnerability provide very little information about who rapes, under what circumstances rape is perpetrated and what reasons men give for perpetration. A focus on victims is less helpful than understanding the men who commit rape
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
