Sexual Violence: Opposing Viewpoints

Opposing Viewpoints Series

by Helen Cothran (Editor)

The sexual abuse of children by priests has brought the issue of sexual violence once again to the fore, Religious leaders, biologists, psychologists, and others debate the causes of sexual violence and the policies aimed at reducing it.

218 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Dualsight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried and failed to read this before a major break in school and it’s really mad depressing.

Obviously because it is a very taboo and sensitive subject, the book probably gets a bad reputation + its old + and it has some rather based claims, it left me more questions and led me to have better, healthier opinions.

I wouldn’t recommend it to many people or any particular audience but this book wasn’t as terrible as it may seem.

3.72/5

[Fattah Fathun Karim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book should be read by everyone in order to not fall for populist sentiments and hyperboles. The book articulates arguments regarding the causes and policies surrounding sexual violence and presents the reader with the complexity of the whole thing. The previous edition of the book comes from mary williams, and helen Cothran's one is just an extension to that. Helen Cothran includes the controversies of Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer's study which discussed on the natural origin of rape instincts. This part also covers the discussions regarding rape shield laws which cant be found in mary's edition. Therefore I would recommend reading Cothran's version with respect to Mary's. While the book may not lead the reader to a conclusive stance, but it will definitely help to make one understand the nuances of such issues and help them navigate throughout the mindless populist sentiments the lurks around towards a better, well thought out position for oneself.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2003 four chapters each made of 6 or more viewpoints and a periodical bibliography, organizations to contact, book bibliography, index

Ch 1 What causes sexual violence?

ch 1 viewpoint 5 says that folklore says that a woman who" wears revealing clothing or goes to a bar alone is likely to "get raped" But in fact a woman is no more likely to be raped from these activities than from simply dating a man or being home alone." I personally believe this but it is without substantiation. Most of the essays assert such kind of facts and have no scientific data accompanying them. The purpose of the essay is to assert that our whole culture is an incubator for growing the conditions that perpetuate rape. I don't even disagree with this assertion but I wish I could count on the presentation of facts as distinct from suppositions.


Ch 2 Is sexual violence a serious problem?
Ch 3 How should society address sexual victimization?
Ch 4 How can sexual violence be reduced?