Sexual Assault

There are two basic types of rapist: the anger rapist and the power rapist.

Both types of rapist commit rape because they want to and they can.

Anger Rapist

The anger rapist typically is a stranger. He frequently has a knife or other weapon. He threatens the victim during the attack and may injure her severely. He tells her he will hurt her in the future.

Anger rapists direct enormous hatred against women. They want to degrade and humiliate their victims. About 20 percent of rapists are anger rapists. For victims, dying is a major fear during the attack.

Power Rapist

The power rapist usually is someone the victim knows: a friend, a date, an acquaintance, a relative. He rarely threatens the victim with physical violence beyond the sexual assault itself, and does not usually injure the victim.

About 80 percent of rapists are power rapists, who rape to experience power and control over the victim. For many victims, in their efforts to cope after the rape, the major issue is the violation of trust the rape represents.