Feminist Organizing: Research on Rapists from National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

Understanding the common characteristics and patterns of rapists is central to the root cause analysis of rape.

Research studies on rape consistently show that males are the vast majority of rapists, regardless of the victim's sex.

The data lays bare that rape is a male problem, and that males overwhelmingly target females.

Research has documented this information for decades, but its significance is continually diminished.

Rape is a form of violence, and as such is a tool for power and control. It is centrally relied on to maintain sex-based oppression of girls and women. Males also use it to subjugate other males to establish the conception of dominance, just as they do with females.

To achieve female liberation globally, it’s vital to compile statistics on sex-based oppression and intersecting variables. This is central to any class-based struggle for freedom.

✍️ Journal Reflection Prompt:

• What do you think the root causes are of men targeting and raping women?

• Do you think such findings are diminished by society? Why or why not?

📚 Resources to Explore:

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center Statistics (2015)

• Dept. of Justice National Violence Against Women Survey (2006)

• nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_factsheet_media-packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf

• barcc.org/assets/pdf/Media_Kit_SV_Fact_Sheet.pdf

• kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/she-killed-her-rapist-after-months-of-abuse-advocates-say-kansas-governor-should-set-her-free/

• geeskaafrika.com/israeli-jailed-killing-rapist-asks-president-pardon/