Date Rape

John J. Macionis

Rape is almost always committed by a stranger. . . isn’t it? Sociologist John J. Macionis sheds light on the dark subject of date rape and exposes the myths that surround it.

Completing a day of work during a business trip to the courthouse in Tampa, Florida, thirty-two-year-old Sandra Abbott pondered how she would return to her hotel. An attorney with whom she had been working—a pleasant enough man—made the kind offer of a lift. As his car threaded its way through the late afternoon traffic, their conversation was animated. “He was saying all the right things,” Abbott recalled, “so I started to trust him.” He asked if she would join him for dinner; she happily accepted. After lingering over an enjoyable meal, they walked together to the door of her hotel room. The new acquaintance angled for an invitation to come in and talk, but Abbott hesitated, sensing that he might have something more on his mind. She explained that she was old-fashioned about relationships but would allow him to come in for a little while with the understanding that talk was all they would do. Sitting on the couch in the room, soon Abbott was overcome with drowsiness. Feeling comfortable in the presence of her new friend, she let her head fall gently onto his shoulder, and, before she knew it, she fell asleep. That’s when the attack began. Abbott was startled back to consciousness as the man thrust himself upon her sexually. She shouted: “No!” but he paid no heed. Abbott describes what happened next: I didn’t scream or run. All I could think of was my business contacts and what if they saw me run out of my room screaming rape. I thought it was my fault. I felt so filthy, I washed myself over and over in hot water. Did he rape me? I kept asking myself. I didn’t consent. But who’s gonna believe me? I had a man in my hotel room after midnight. Abbott knew that she had said “No!” and thus had been raped. She notified the police, who conducted an investigation and turned their findings over to the state attorney’s office. But the authorities backed away. In the absence of evidence like bruises, a medical examination, and torn clothes, they noted, there was little point in prosecuting.

The more people believe these myths about rape, the more women will fall victim to sexual violence. The ancient Babylonians stoned married women who became victims of rape, convinced that the women had committed adultery. Ideas about rape have changed little over thousands of years, which helps to explain why, even today, only about one in twenty rapes results in an offender being sent to jail. Nowhere has the issue of date rape been more widely discussed than on the college campus. The collegiate environment promotes easy friendships and a sense of trust. At the same time, many students have a great deal to learn about relationships and about themselves. So while college life encourages communication, it also invites sexual violence. To counter this problem, colleges have been facing—and debunking—myths about rape. In addition, attention has centered on the prevalence of alcohol : i ffect of cultural patterns that define sex as a sport. in campus life and the e ‘ts to understand two stmol

568 PART 3 © Readings
Forcing sex without a woman’s consent is rape, and when a woman says “no,” she means just that.

Building Vocabulary

For each question, use your dictionary and context clues “—, Cokae that most nearly defines the underlined word or phrase as it is u y-

1. The word pondered most nearly means
a. perused.

b. reserved.
c. wondered.
d. plotted.

2. The word animated most nearly means
a. meaningless.
b. animalistic.
c. dull.
d. lively.

3. The word undermines most nearly means

  • a. weakens.
  • b. reinforces.
  • c. precludes.
  • d. determines.

4. The word debunking most nearly means

  • a. discrediting.
  • b. hiding.
  • C. proving. °
  • d. debasing.

5. The word prevalence most nearly means

  • a. enjoyment.
  • b. widespread existence.
  • c. condemnation.
  • d. sale.

Understanding the Essay

1. Which statement most nearly expresses the main idea of the essay?

  • a. Date rape is a common occurrence on college campuses.
  • b. False ideas about rape can encourage sexual crime against women.
  • c. To prevent rape, women should “just say no.”
  • d. Increasing penalties for rape and decreasing campus alcohol use are the solutions to the problem of date rape.

2. Which method of introduction does the author use?

  • a. anecdote
  • b. broad-to-narrow
  • c. quotation
  • d. contrast

3. The author implies that Sandra Abbott did not run or physically resist the man who raped her because she would kill her if she resisted.

  • a. she was afraid her attack
  • b. she felt inviting him in was the same thing as inviting him to have sex.
  • c. she was afraid of looking foolish in front of her colleagues.
  • d. she was asleep at the time of the attack.

4. Which of the following is not a myth about rape?

  • a. Most rapes do not result in the rapist being sent to jail.
  • b. Victims are often guilty of behavior that implies an invitation to sex.
  • c. Most rape victims do not know their attackers.
  • d. If no weapon is used, then what some call rape is simply sex. e most predominantly?

5. Which pattern(s) of development does the author us

  • a. comparison-contrast
  • b. definition and classification
  • c. cause-effect
  • d. narration and description

6. Which is not mentioned as a reason date rape is prevalent on college campuses?

  • a. Alcohol use is relatively common.
  • b. Students are naive and too trusting.
  • c. Morals are more lax than in the past.
  • d. Some students have much to learn about relationships.

7. With which statement would the author most likely agree?

  • a. Blaming women for rape began with the rise of feminism when women were no longer seen as under the protection of husbands and fathers.
  • b. All instances of rape involve alcohol use.
  • c. When a woman says “no,” sometimes she means “yes” or “maybe.”
  • d. Not much progress has been made in the way people think about rape

570 PART 3 « Readings
Looking at Language

8. Look at the language that Macionis use to describe date rape, rapist and rape victims t gues hoices emphasize the seriousness of this rape victims. What specific word c crime? e answer to her ques- define the word rape, how would Abbott’s

9. Reread Sandra Abbott’s statement in paragraph 3. The answer to her question, “Did he rape me?” ultimately requires Abbott to How do you define rape? Based on your definition, question be answered? caring, communication, which of the four ? Why? Which

10. The author writes, ““Having sex’ implies intimacy, and, most important of all, consent.” In your opinion, listed items is implied most strongly by the words having sex is implied least strongly? Why?

 

Discussing the Essay
Prepare to discuss the following questions in class by thinking about them or writing about them in your journal.

1. According to the author, how did the ancient Babylonians define rape? How did this definition affect women? What does your answer suggest about the power of language? About the power of those who define it?

2. Is date rape a problem on your campus? What can be done to eliminate it on your campus or at other colleges?