Understanding Sexual Violence examines the structural supports for rape in sexually violent cultures and dispels a number of myths about sexual violence--for example, that childhood abuse, alcohol, and drugs are direct causes of rape.

Contents:
Acknowledgements A Glimpse Inside; Androcentric Bias in the Sciences; The Need for Feminist Research on Men's World; Are Convicted Rapists the Best Targets?; Lasting Impressions: A Women's view of Life Inside Men's Prisons; In the Company of Rapists; The Interview: A Social Encounter; Protecting the Rights of Participants; Do Convicts "Con"?; Trials and Tribulations of Prison Research; Notes Rape is the Problem; Rape as Women's Problem; The Medicalization of Rape; Is Rape a Disease?; Blaming the Victim? Why Isn't Rape Men's Problem?; Culture's Contribution; "The All-American Crime"; The Boy Next Door; Pornography and the Normalization of Rape; Rape as Learned and Rewarding Behaviour; Notes Profile of Convicted Rapists; History and Background: Childhood and Parental Relationships: Family Violence and Child Abuse: Sexual Experiences and Relationships with Women: Psychiatric History and Alcohol/Drug Use: Careers in Crime; Attitudes and Beliefs: Women on a Pedestal: Men Who Rape and Masculinity; Myths, Stereotypes and Definitions of Rape; Summary Profile of Convicted Rapists; Notes Nothing is Rape: Justifying Sexual Violence; Learning to Rape; Denying Rape: Women as Seductresses: Women mean "Yes" when they say "No": Women eventually "relax and enjoy it": Nice Girls don't get Raped: Only a Minor Wrongdoing: Macho Man Image; Imperceptiveness and Distorted Self Image; "Just Something I Wanted to do"; Justifying Rape; Notes No One is a Rapist: Excusing Sexual Violence; Admitting Rape: The Role of Alcohol and Drugs in Sexual Violence: The Sick Role: Nice Guy; "A Dangerous and Vicious Animal"; "Dirty and Degraded"; Excusing Sexual Violence; Notes Rape: A Low Risk, High Reward Crime; What Men Gain from Sexual Violence: Revenge and Punishment: An Added Bonus: Sexual Access: Impersonal Sex, Rape Fantasy and Pornography: Recreation and Adventure: Feeling Good; Rape: Some Men's Pleasure; Notes Isn't Rape Men's Problem?; Cultural Origins of the Motivation to Rape; Types of Men who Rape; "Pedestal" Values and Other Dangerous Attitudes; Patriarchy and the Inevitability of Sexual Violence; Notes Afterword: Defending Against Rape; Fear of Rape; What Would a Rapist Do?: Stranger Rapes: Group Rapes: Acquaintance Rapes; Defending Against Rape; Notes Bibliography