The nature of women's rape fantasies: an analysis of prevalence, frequency, and contents

J Sex Res. 2009 Jan-Feb;46(1):33-45. doi: 10.1080/00224490802624406.

Abstract

This study evaluated the rape fantasies of female undergraduates (N = 355) using a fantasy checklist that reflected the legal definition of rape and a sexual fantasy log that included systematic prompts and self-ratings. Results indicated that 62% of women have had a rape fantasy, which is somewhat higher than previous estimates. For women who have had rape fantasies, the median frequency of these fantasies was about 4 times per year, with 14% of participants reporting that they had rape fantasies at least once a week. In contrast to previous research, which suggested that rape fantasies were either entirely aversive or entirely erotic, rape fantasies were found to exist on an erotic-aversive continuum, with 9% completely aversive, 45% completely erotic, and 46% both erotic and aversive.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Erotica / psychology*
  • Fantasy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Prevalence
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Rape / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Southwestern United States
  • Students
  • Universities
  • Young Adult