Sage Publications Description: This 313-page book is divided into 7 chapters and contains a brief index and
comprehensive bibliography. In Chapter 1, we are introduced to the legal
definition of rape and the various types of assaults that are included in it
along with current statistics on the incidence and prevalence of rape. Chapter 2
discusses the trauma of rape and the research on its
psychological effects, including individual differences. Chapter 3 deals with
the community influences on the response to rape and the rape crisis center
movement is covered in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 addresses debriefing, social
supports, short-term interventions, and individual therapy while Chapter 6
discusses group treatment for female victims. Chapter 7 deals with the
prevention of sexual assault. Discussion: The chapters on treatment should be of greatest interest for mental health professionals and the emphasis on debriefing, social support and short-term interventions are extremely important, especially given psychotherapy's poor record in outcome research (Dawes, in press). Not every rape victim requires psychotherapy and debriefing and/or brief therapy may be all that is needed for some victims. There is practically no discussion of male victims (only slightly over one page is devoted to male victims although one study quoted in the book indicates males comprised 10% of that study's sample of rape victims). There is increasing awareness of the problem of male victims of both aggression and rape (Macchieto, 1992) and the omission of this by Koss and Harvey may reflect their feminist bias. Some recent literature raises questions about generalities and stereotypes in this book. Some rape victims do not want to be see themselves or be seen by others as victims, although Koss and Harvey defend their use of "victims" instead of the currently popular "survivors" by noting that this more adequately signifies the "outrage of rape." The data on date rape on college carnpuses have been questioned by some writers (e.g., Gilbert, 1991, 1992; Jensen & Karpos, 1993; Roiphe, 1993; Sawyer, Desmond & Lucke, 1993). Overinclusive definitions of date rape may deflect attention from the very real and serious problem of rape in our society. Also, questions must be asked about reported data if those data are to become the basis for public policy (Formaini, 1990; Rothman, 1992; Rossi, 1987; Bennett & DiLorenzo, 1992). The book has no mention of false allegations of rape, although these have been discussed in the media. Such false allegations of rape weaken the credibility of actual rape victims. Also, marital rape allegations, especially those that arise in custody situations, raise issues for professionals. Little new information is presented in this book, although it does combine and synthesize a great amount of data. However it ignores some data that may further confuse this complex problem and some readers may see the book as just one more feminist presentation of rape or as an advocacy study. What disappoints me is that, although I helped set up rape crisis services 20
years ago, we have not moved far ahead since that time. As Koss and Harvey point
out, rape crisis services have to continually compete for dwindling funds and
volunteers. Rape victims, both males and females, will have to continue to
compete with other victims for shrinking services in the future. We therefore
must challenge perspectives that we take for granted. Since the reality that
rape has always been a weapon of war has recently confronted us through Bosnia,
we may need to master effective brief intervention techniques quickly. This book
is recommended to that end. References Bennett, J. T., & DiLorenzo, T. J. (1992). Official Lies: How Washington Misleads Us. Alexandria, VA: Groom. Dawes, R. M. (in press). Professional practice versus knowledge in psychology. Manuscript in press. Formaini, R. (1990). The Myth of Scientific Public Policy. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction. Gilbert, N. (1991). The phantom epidemic of sexual assault. The Public Interest, 103, 54-65. Gilbert, N. (1992, May-June). Realities and mythologies of rape, Society, pp. 4-10. Jensen, G., & Karpos (1993). Managing rape: Exploratory research. Criminology, 31(3), 363-385. Macchieto, J. (1992) Aspects of male and female aggression: Implications for counseling men. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 14(3). 375-392. Rothman, M. (1992). The Science Gap. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus. Roiphe, K. (1993). The Morning After: Sex, Fear, and Feminism on College Campuses. Boston: Little, Brown. Rossi, J. (1987). How often are our statistics wrong? Teaching in Psychology, 14(2), 98-101. Sawyer, R., Desmond, S., & Lucke, G. (1993). Sexual communication and the college student: Implications for date rape. Health Values, 17(4), 11-20. Reviewed by LeRoy Schultz, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, West Virginia University.
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