Different Types of Rapists

 
This blog is meant to be a place of healing and the information below can be triggering for any victim. However while I was initially triggered by it, I also found it helpful to learn more and realize again that I am not alone and my rapist planned his actions ahead of time. Also I want to share this information so that those not having been directly affected by rape can see that there are different types of rapists. While patterns are there, every rape is different. Stereotypes and judgements are not helpful. Victims are NEVER to blame and desperately need love and support.

The following information is from the book Resurrection After Rape by Matt Atkinson and written with the victim being female and the attacker male, as that is what he found to be most common among his patients.

The Power-Assertive Type: He has exaggerated beliefs about masculinity, and regards sex as the obligation of a woman to him. He commonly meets his victim at a bar or party. He is physically aggressive and is prepared for some type of violence but typically has no intention of murder. He has no hesitation to use drugs or alcohol as a form of control. Begging and crying will not work. He doesn't consider this rape but rather fierce sex and accounts for about 75% of rapes. (p151)

The Anger-Retaliatory Type: This guy is hostile towards woman and wants to punish and humiliate them. His assaults appear spontaneous and vicious but they are deliberate. He is typically quite violent, and his violence escalates as his victim resists. (p152)

The Power-Reassurance Type: This guy lacks confidence with women. He may be using rape to reassure himself that he is indeed "manly". He often uses alcohol to increase his confidence. This is the one most likely to change his behavior when confronted by another male. (p152)

The Anger-Excitation Type: The rarest and most dangerous type. He accounts for about 2% of rapes. This man is usually highly intelligent and very charming, and his crime is methodically planned. He is a repeat offender and his victims may or may not be strangers. He derives part of his sense of power from his ability to gain trust from women before assaulting and injuring them. His entire goal is to inflict as much harm to his victim as he can. (p152)

Matt also says: "So for the record: Rapists do not have a "type" of victim." (p153) And "Since there is abundant research showing that the majority of rapists pre-plan their sexual assault using intoxication, intimidation, and isolation as tools of control it is ... reasonable to conclude that rape is a conscious choice that reflects the values and beliefs of the rapist." (p147)

How does this information change your view of rape and rapists? What can you and we do to help other victims?