The answer lies in part with the belief that men are naturally sexually dominant and aggressive, and women are conversely sexually passive and subordinate. Men are encouraged to view sexual conquest and violence as signs of masculinity, and women are often portrayed as sexual objects. The deep-seated and often unspoken belief that men are socially superior to women and that women are lustful, manipulative creatures provides a justification for sexual violence against women, as does the belief that rape is an inevitable result of men s sexual natures. No two rapists are exactly the same. They come from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.
Many rapists do, however, have similar motivations for committing acts of sexual violence.
This is why rape is primarily a violent, hostile act carried out by sexual means, not a sexual act that becomes violent. Although different patterns of sexual assault are apparent they are all similar in that the motivation for each is power . Are Not Alone compiled by the Women s Resource Center staff.