What's behind the dramatic rise in rapes?

Dr. Savage emphasizes that American society promotes power, status and prestige. 'Some people become hyped on this and find ways to also be powerful and filled with status and prestige," he says. "Taking advantage of other people tends to align itself with some of what society is promoting, and at the same time it counters some of the feeling of inadequacy."

Dr. Savage and Dr. Poussaint agree that this is more significant for Blacks because, due to racism and poverty, a sense of powerlessness and low self-esteem is pervasive in the Black community. "There may be higher levels of anoger because of how Blacks are treated, because of rejection," says Dr. Poussaint. "This feeling of rejection is displaced onto women. When a rapist attacks a woman, he feels he's won a battle for control, and he is momentarily bolstered with self-esteem. That's what is so crazy about it."

This in part may account for why a greater proportion of offenders is Black, and consequently, so are the victims. Numerous studies indicate that rapists usually choose victims of the samerace and in their own environments; more than 60 percent pick victims they actually know. According to the FBI, Black women are twice as likely to be raped as white women. A 10-year study found that 75 percent of rape victims are from low-income families. because rape is a crime of opportunity, Black women are especially vulnterable since many live in high-crime areas and depend on public transportation.

Confounding the problem of rape is the raging debate on when sex between acquaintances is actually rape. Some women's groups maintain that any forced sex in which the woman does not consent is rape, regardless of whether the couple previously have been intimate. On the other hand, some men accused of date rape feel they are wrongly accused when actually they were teased and misled by women who later cry rape.

Lt. Britton says that in the last two years, the court system has been much more responsive to victims of acquaintance and date rape. "The courts now know that this crime does occur and that these women are victims and that they do not necessarily contribute to the act of rape," she says. "We have prosecuted date rape cases and we have won in court."

Studies on men convicted of rape indicate that they believe aggression is key for survival. They have few friends, can't cope with life, and are angry and depressed. According to research, as many as 85 percent have been physically or sexually abused, or feel they have been emasculated. Some were abandoned, neglected or exploited as children.

Dr. Hobson and Dr. A. Nicholas Groth are co-authors of a study in which rape offenders are profiled in three major categories. The unpremediated violent attack of the "anger" rapist is prompted by hatred and resentment. His frustration is misdirected against a substitute victim. The sexual assault is planned by the "power" rapist, who has fantasies of sexual domination and a need to feel powerful to overcome his deep-seated insecurities. The "sadistic" rapist carefully plans his ritualistic assault, which frequently involves bondage, torture and sexual abuse. Aggression and sexuality become inseparable.