The Next Problem With No Name: The Politics and Pragmatics of the Word Rape

Abstract

In this study I asked women how the word rape fit and did not fit their own experiences of forced or unwanted sex with acquaintances. Although some participants noted that the term removed self-blame and indicated severity, most suggested that the word was limiting. It did not distinguish varied harms, created uncomfortable expectations for participants' behavior, eliminated moments of agency, and dichotomized experiences. By considering these limitations of available vocabulary, scholars may develop more robust theories of sexual violence.

Keywords:

• acquaintance rape
• naming
• nonconsensual sex
• sexual violence

Acknowledgments

A previous version of this essay appeared online on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Communication Web site.

I extend my gratitude to each of the 11 women who participated in this study and to the many others who informally shared stories with me. Thanks to Julia Wood for her mentoring throughout the duration of this project and to the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions. Thanks also to Jess Alberts, Eric Freedman, Ryan Hinson, Dennis Mumby, Kellie Palazzolo, Della Pollock, and Lawrence Rosenfeld for their thoughtful critiques and support.

Notes

Legal definitions of rape vary by state in the United States. Although the particular sexual acts that are included in the definition of rape are not consistent, most laws are similar in their proclamation that rape involves the presence of force and/or the absence of consent in a sexual encounter.