NCJ Number
195753
Date Published
2002
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the limited history of sexual assault research and explores the dynamics and motivations surrounding nonconsensual sexual activity in both male and female correctional facilities.
Abstract
Nonconsensual sexual behavior pertains to violent behavior, power, and control. For correctional administrators, nonconsensual sex in prison has become a major policy issue. However, research addressing inmate sexual assault has been seen as infrequent. This chapter begins with a review of sexual assault research in male prisons from 1930 to 2000, as well as sexual assault research in female prisons. Disparities in the rate of prison sexual assault and inconclusive findings have been attributed to the lack of established and agreed-upon definition of nonconsensual sex and lack of incident reporting. This in turn hinders researchers from accurately reporting the incidence of inmate sexual assault. Several strategies identified as being used by victims to fight off or protect themselves from being targets of sexual assault are showing strong masculine behavior or physically fighting back. In addition, strategies used by perpetrators for forced sex included using a “set-up team” or exploitation. What has been well documented in the literature is the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of sexual assault. It is important to recognize that inmates with target characteristics are susceptible to being sexually assaulted. There is a wide range of emotional and physical consequences attributed to victims of sexual assault that include physical, emotional, cognitive, psychological, social, and sexual consequences. Research has indicated that male prison inmates who fall victim to sexual assault suffer a loss of masculinity. In addition, the major health risk associated with prison sex is HIV/AIDS. Policy recommendations regarding nonconsensual sex in prison have been limited due to such incidents going unreported. Policy recommendations for the prevention of prison sexual assaults need to provide a two-pronged approach: a social service component of prevention, intervention, and victim services; and an administrative component of education, training, and facility rule development and enforcement. Scholars need to find ways to produce valid and reliable research on nonconsensual sex in prisons. References