ABSTRACT
Few researchers disagree with the characterization of sexual assault as a violent crime (Roberts, 1995), both in a legal and a psychological sense. As such, perpetrators of sexual assault frequently suffer from the same general causes of violence as perpetrators of other violent crimes (see chapters 3, 4, and 5). However, there are other causes specifically associated with the crime of sexual assault, against both domestic partners and strangers. Although sexual assault is frequently studied as a street crime, it also occurs domestically (Finkelhor & Yllo, 1985). Like other interpersonal violent crimes, sexual assault involves a perpetrator, a victim, and a set of circumstances. All three of these variables must be considered in the search for the causes of rape.
