Power-Reassurance Rapists 

Percentage of rapists: 81%

Frequency of assaults: about every 7-15 days

Motive: The motive of the power-reassurance rapist is to resolve self-doubts by reassuring himself of his masculinity.

Danger level: Bodily injury to victims would most likely be inadvertent rather than intentional.

Victim harm reduction strategy: This offender will likely terminate the assault if the victim resists. If resisted, the offender will generally negotiate, threaten, desist, or flee. Although he will occasionally have a weapon, it is generally an empty threat and he will not want to deal with an overly resistant victim. However, a victim could be dealing with a power-assertive rapist starting off with a softer approach, and a victim does not want to upset a power-assertive rapist. For this reason, victims should start off with nonviolent tactics such as crying, pleading, or praying aloud – if he becomes more violent, the victim does not have a power-reassurance rapist. If he does not become more violent, the victim is likely dealing with a power-reassurance rapist, so the victim should scream or fight.

Modus Operandi:

-feels insecure

-feels inadequate

-has poor social skills

-often unathletic

-often socially awkward

-gentle, quiet, passive personality

-underachiever

-self-identifies as a loser

-often collects soft adult pornography

-most often single

-may be a loner

-often lives with one or both parents or alone

-often has few friends

-often has no consensual sex partner

-average education level is 10th grade

-may have an aggressive mother

-may have a menial occupation and be a steady worker

-tends to be non-competitive

-previous criminal involvement may include peeping activities, fetish burglaries, breaking and entering, and nuisance offenses

-goal is to possess, not harm

-feels inadequacy towards women, but finally he is in charge

-enjoys the sense of power, even if only temporary

-so-called “gentleman rapist”

-uses “surprise” approach with force

-usually strikes between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

-usually selects a victim through stalking

-victim tends to be about the same age

-tends to live near victim

-tends to attack in his own residential or work area

-usually travels to a victim on foot

-may perceive that victim has shown sexual interest in him

-usually strikes at a victim’s residence

-uses the minimum amount of force needed to control the victim

-may threaten to have a weapon but often won’t have one

-weapons are for the purpose of threat or intimidation more than injury

-mainly uses verbal threats

-uses little or no profanity

-will ask the victim to remove their own clothing

-may believe that victim will grow to like him

-may attempt foreplay

-attempts to sexually satisfy victim

-may compliment victim

-often demands verbal activity from victim - i.e., an expression of their desire for him

-generally does not engage in alternative sexual practices, and if does, apologizes to victim

-assault is usually completed in a short period of time but may be longer with more victim compliance

-would like to believe victim enjoyed it

-may apologize or express guilt to victim, especially after the attack

-often takes a souvenir

-may keep a journal or diary of assaults

-may contact victim before or after the assault

-may exhibit a slight increase in aggression as attacks continue

Note: Police should be sensitive when interviewing victims of a power-reassurance rapist as victims may feel guilty about not fighting their so-called “gentleman” rapist more. Police should validate the victim by saying things such as, “Considering the circumstances, you did the best you could. You survived the assault. If you froze, that’s a natural response.”