NCJ Number
117510
Date Published
1989
Length
87 pages
Annotation
This book examines the nature and impact of the aggressive sexual images that permeate American culture and offers strategies that challenge the ideologies of sexual aggression and affirm the development of nonoppressive and self-determined sexuality.
Abstract
Social scientists' controlled experiments indicate that even passive exposure to violent sexual media increases the willingness of male subjects to justify hostile attitudes and to act aggressively toward women. The male subjects who indicate before the experiment that they already held pro-rape attitudes showed the most increase in hostility and aggression after viewing aggressive sexual media. The 20 sex-offender treatment specialists who responded to the author's survey cautiously agree with the social scientists' findings. They acknowledge that many sex offenders use 'pornography.' Most also agree that tendencies toward sexual aggression do not begin with the viewing of aggressive sexual media. Some treatment providers conclude that sexually aggressive pornography is 'fuel on the fire' and is used by some sex offenders as a tool to promote a sexual assault. The treatment specialists do not agree, however, that the content of the picture or film used by the sex offender is always violent and/or sexual, since offenders fantasize child molestation or sexual assault from apparently unrelated or 'innocent' images. Community educational and conditioning initiatives must advocate a positive, nonviolent, consensual sexuality that will counter violence in a sexual context. Challenging aggressive and exploitative sex in media portrayals is one aspect of such a strategy. 170 references, appended supplementary material.