Book Review: Rape as Part of Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Case Narratives and Official Reports

• DOI: 10.1177/0734016810389270
• Author: TK Logan
• Date: 01 September 2011
• Published date: 01 September 2011
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

vaginal penetration by a penis; therefore, an act is only considered rape if it is the violation of a

woman by a man. Chapter 4 explores other forms of sexual victimization by discussing forms of

unwanted sexual contact and abuse with various victim and offender combinations. This chapter also

provides an interesting examination of the tactics of sexual coercion used by offenders. Chapter 5

examines the topic of revictimization, on general terms as well as specifically in regard to sexual

revictimization. The text provides information on the extent of sexual revictimization and the like-

lihood of this occurring based on the period of the victim’s life (i.e., life course) and other lifestyle

choices. Findings from the National College Women Sexual Victimization Study (NCWSV) are

presented to support explanations of revictimization. As a follow-up, Chapter 6 discusses the

consequences of acknowledging and reporting rape and sexual victimization. There are individual

and situational factors that are related to the likelihood of reporting victimization, including the vic-

tim and offender characteristics and the context of the incident. Studies on reporting and lack

thereof, such as the NCWSV, are discussed and the policy implications of the gap between victimi-

zation rate and reporting are reviewed.

Chapter 7 discusses a criminal behavior that can lead to sexual victimization of females, a

‘‘gateway crime’’ if you will: stalking. Females who live in a campus setting are particularly at risk

of stalking based on the routine of their daily activities. The extent and nature of stalking of college

females are discussed, as well as techniques used by the offender and interactions between the offen-

der and the victim. Finally, Chapter 8 provides information to the reader on methods of preventing

sexual victimization. These policy implications are based on different theoretical and technical

approaches, including situational crime prevention and the feminist approach to protecting oneself.

While there is not a lack of books and articles available that discuss sexual victimization, this

particular text provides a valuable contribution to the literature as it focuses on an often ignored vic-

tim of this offense. College students are stereotyped for their promiscuity, partying behaviors, and

impulsive life choices. Moreover, females who may choose to dress a certain way or drink too much

at campus bars receive a reputation. Koss’ work is highlighted throughout the text as it brought to

light the misperception of a college female of what truly constituted rape and sexual victimization,

rather than just ‘‘fooling around’’ and holding dates accountable for their behavior. Finally, the use-

fulness of this book is not limited to the upper level academic classroom, although it holds value for

many criminology and sociology classes to encourage discussion and debate. The statistics, studies,

and prevention techniques discussed and supported in this book indicates its value for university

officials when making decisions regarding improvement of student safety and education.

K. Tellis

Rape as Part of Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Case Narratives

and Official Reports El Paso, TX: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC, 2010.

ix, 182 pp. $62.00. ISBN 978-1-593-32397-4

Reviewed by: TK Logan, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

DOI: 10.1177/0734016810389270

Rape has always been a part of domestic violence. Unfortunately, we continue to let this part of

domestic violence go without acknowledgment in so many ways. The silence surrounding partner

rape facilitates shame for victims, allows perpetrators to go unnamed as rapists, and allows society

to continue to turn their heads. If we do not talk about it, then it cannot be happening to our sisters,

mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, and neighbors. Katharine Tellis wrote this book, in part,

she states (p. 140) ‘‘... to make sexual assault visible in domestic violence ....’’ Indeed it is time

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