Often, acquaintance rape is a premeditated act. The perpetrator sets up the situation and ignores the woman s protests. Generally, he denies guilt and responsibility afterwards. College women are the most likely group to become victims of acquaintance rape in our country. The emotional consequences can be very serious and long lasting.
Victims feel traumatized, frightened, distrustful of people and hesitant to form new relationships.
They may develop sexual problems and fears regarding intimacy that persist for the rest of their lives. Physically women are exposed to the possibility of becoming pregnant or contracting herpes, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Most men are not rapists. They are good guys who want to have healthy relationships with women. Unfortunately, not being a rapist is no longer enough.