Men Who Rape the Psychology of the Offender

Rape is one of the most violent crimes perpetuated on women in society. The rape of a woman causes protective instincts to flare in even the most stoic men. Society deals with rapist in the courtroom but many laymen find themselves asking, what type of man becomes a rapist? Rape is forced sex, and it has long since been understood that rape is a crime of power and violence and has very little to do with actual sex or gratification. One author of modern literature addressed the rapist himself and wrote a book about their methods, character and profile. Nicholas Goth who wrote, Men Who Rape: The Psychology of the Offender provides the reader with an inside view of who among society's members might become a rapist and why. It is an insightful book that takes the reader on an exploratory journey though many facets of the rapist and what makes him do what he does.

While there have been many books written for and about the victim of rape there is very little literature about the rapist himself and what makes him become what he is. This book presents a detailed examination of the rapist and sets up contextual framework so that the reader develops a firm understanding and grasp of the dynamics of sexual assault. The book is not new by today's publishing standards. It has been on thee market for over twenty years but is so concisely written that it provides information that is timeless. Because it studies the rapist himself technology does not have to be current to keep the book's content up-to-date. The profile and make up of a rapist has remained the same regardless of where the world is in the area of modern technology. The book is useful for victims, anyone who is going to come into contact with victims or perpetrators and others. It allows the victims and those who work with the victims to understand what the rapist is made of and it can help to quell the feeling that the victim may have caused her own attack. The book is lauded as one of the best in its field because of its understanding of the intriquite nature of the character and psychological mapping of the mind of a rapist.

The book is based in science and stays completely away from politics or political correctness. The book is so unconcerned with political correctness that it even suggests the men who rape are victims as well. Their past, their upbringing and their brain wiring all contribute to the making of a rapist.

The author addresses what most never bother to ask. The book allows for the possibility that men who rape have been victims of violent acts in the past themselves. It allows for the possibility that men who rape have been abused themselves, though it doesn't ever imply that the rapist should be excused for his actions against his own victims later. It is a scientific look at the making of a rapist that refuses to pretend they have not been victims. It looks realistically at the background and making of a rapist without giving him sympathy or asking the reader to feel pity for him.

The exploration includes an examination the emotional factors that contribute to the making of a rapist as well as the psychological factors that might predispose someone to become a rapist in their reactions to life stressors. Sexual violence, according to Groth is sparked by life events that the rapist cannot handle in a civilized and controlled manner. The rape is a need for control and dominance and it is not sexually driven as some might believe that it is.

The author has 15 years of clinical experience and uses it to convey his impressions after working with 500 sex offenders in his career. The developmental histories, the offender's lifestyle and other factors are examined with detachment and allowed to gel to bring about the whole picture of the character make up of the offender. The motivations are discussed as well as suggestions for diagnostic assessments, and treatment possibilities. The book is an excellent resource for those who work with offenders in any capacity.

This book is one of the most well written books on the market about the subject of rapists. The author brings to light the actual things that contribute to the offender becoming an offender. He does it without sympathy and without turning the rapist into the victim yet he still discusses the abuse the offender might have suffered before becoming an offender. It is extremely strong in the area of scientific research and explanation. It brings to the table many years and many interviews of experience that allow the reader to feel comfortable that the author is indeed an expert and is knowledgeable about what he does. It is a strong primer for anyone who wants to understand how an offender is created. The author shows limited weakness other than one area. He refuses to discuss or entertain the possibility that there are rapists and sex offenders who are not doing it for the power they get out of the act. The author doesn't address the possibility that there are other causes, such as self-esteem issues, or substance abuse issues at work. He insists there is only one reason for rape or sexual assault and that is dominance and control.

While the book does address such issues as the role of alcohol it still places the need to offend on a need for violence and control. He separates the types of offenses such as gang rapes, child rape and male rape to be better able to discuss the inner workings of the act.