Groth\'s rapist essay PDF

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Compare Groth’s four typologies of rapist and give a reasoned argument to identify which one of them leads to a more dangerous offender than others using academic research to support your views and conclusion....

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Compare Groth’s four typologies of rapist and give a reasoned argument to identify which one of them leads to a more dangerous offender than others using academic research to support your views and conclusion.

Rape is “broadly understood as [the] penetration of the vagina and/or anus with a penis without consent” and “in England and Wales, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 expanded [this] definition to include oral penetration” (Horvath and Brown, 2009, p.5). The crime of rape magnifies feelings of helplessness for victims and breeds a sense of vulnerability within society, “thus the National DNA Database was originally established in the UK as a forensic source to help identify those involved” (Burke, 2019, p.444). Groth and Birnbaum argue that rape “is a complicated, emotionally charged, and highly misunderstood subject” which has gained attention recently due to “women’s movements” and therefore “national consciousness [of the crime] has been raised” (2001, p.1). They go on to further suggest that although laws have been changed and training programs for police officers have been designed, there is little attention “focused on the perpetrator of this offence, and [the] understanding of… who he is, what he does and why he does it”, all of which is crucial to prevent such behaviour (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.1). Additionally, stereotypes and presumptions are made “in regard to the offender, his victim and the offence”; frequently the offender is seen as a “lusty male”, “sexually frustrated man” or “a demented sex-fiend harbouring insatiable and perverted desires” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.2). All of these stereotypes point to rape as being a sexually driven crime, however clinical studies have advocated that rape is “driven more by retaliatory and compensatory motives serving primarily nonsexual needs instead of sexual ones” and it is in fact a pseudosexual act which addresses “issues of hostility (anger) and control (power) and sexuality” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, pp2-3). This essay will compare and analyse Groth’s four typologies of rapists (opportunistic, angry, power and sadistic) and their motivations behind why they commit this crime in order to identify which of them leads to a more dangerous offender.

The opportunistic rapists’ method is in the name, the attack itself is not pre-planned nor stemming from anger, instead this type of rapist is often intoxicated and solely focuses on

their own sexual needs which they feel need to be fulfilled (Chamber, Horvath and Kelly, 2010, p.1117). Like the power rapist mentioned below, the opportunistic rapist uses only instrumental violence to gain control of their victim and fulfil their sexual need and they are often known as the “antisocial rapist” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, pp.25-26). This type of rapist is “depicted as the commission of impulsive acts of rape among an array of other antisocial behaviour” (Chamber, Horvath and Kelly, 2010, p.1116). Opportunistic rapists usually display callous and cruel behaviour towards women, they are driven by insecurity and inadequacy, thus, in order to restore self-confidence, they commit the crime of rape (Holmes and Holmes, 2002, p.140). They may use the threat of a weapon and if they have one, usually its one of opportunity, the use of force is minimal, but if they feel the need to, they will use violence, it is instrumental to their attack (Holmes and Holmes, 2002, p.140). Socially awkwardness and a lack of ability to communicate characterises this type of rapist, frequently they have few friends and no sexual partner (Holmes and Holmes, 2002, p.141).

The opportunistic rapist is the most common type out of the four types mentioned in this essay, although it is low in the level of violence committed, the prevalence of opportunistic rapists is overwhelming and thus one can consider them to be a highly dangerous type (Holmes and Holmes, 2002, p.142). Given that there are more opportunistic rapists than any other type, the likelihood of victims suffering from these offenders is higher and it can be argued that the end result of all the types is the same, the crime of rape, thus this type is equally as dangerous in context, to the other types (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.388). Rapes that fall into this category can be confusing for victims at times, with some wanting to know why they were chosen and what they could do to ensure something like that wouldn’t happen to them again, although the physical trauma may be little, the psychological effect it leaves can be extremely damaging and difficult to overcome (The Times, 2005). This type of rapist can be viewed as very dangerous due to their motivation to dominate women; although their “attacks may be impulsive and unplanned”, the rapist is “arrogant and selfabsorbed” (Palermo, 2003, p.128). The dangerousness of this type can be measured through the example of the black cab rapist, John Warboys. Warboys “was jailed in 2009 for assaults on 12 women in London”, he laced their drinks with a sedative and then committed the rapes so they wouldn’t fight back as much; it is thought that he committed over 100 rapes,

because the opportunity presented itself to him in his black cab (BBC, 2018). His victims described the impact of his crimes as a horrifying ordeal that was detrimental to their lives, thus suggesting that regardless of the violent characteristics surrounding the rapist typologies, they all are dangerous and scar the victims in different ways (BBC, 2018).

The angry rapist (also known as the aggressive aim rapist) “is characterised by physical brutality” with “far more actual force [being] used in the commission of the offense than would be necessary if the intent [was] simply to overpower the victim and achieve sexual penetration” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.13). Palermo and Kocsis (2005, cited in Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.381) argue that “in contrast to power rapists, anger rapists are characterised by their intent to physically harm, humiliate, and degrade their victims”, causing just as much psychological damage as physical. Groth et al and Hobson further emphasise that the purpose of an angry rape is “to express rage, release anger, or obtain revenge” and while these attacks are stimulated through a build of frustration, “they are often spontaneous and unplanned” (Groth et al., 1977; Groth & Hobson, 1997 cited in Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p. 381). This type of rapist is known for inflicting “significant bodily injury” on their victim, which increases their level of physical dangerousness (Palermo, 2003, p.127). The victim of this crime would be chosen at random, with anyone who is close proximity at the time, being vulnerable; the anger rapist loathes and rages against what and who the victim represents, he typically “uses the rape as confirmation of his virility [and] ability to dominate women” (Palermo, 2003, p. 128). Groth and Birnbaum state that contempt for the victim is shown through a range of avenues, the offender may “force the victim to submit or to perform additional sex acts that he regards as particularly degrading”, this can be “sodomy or fellatio” or even “urinating or masturbating” on the victim (2001, p.14).

The impact of this type of rape on a victim is particularly intense, Groth and Birnbaum argue that

“although all rapes involve anger, power and sexuality and impact on the victim to disrupt her physical, behavioural, social and sexual lifestyle, depending on the type of rape the victim is a victim of, certain issues may be more prominent or take an added significance in the recovery progress” (2001, p.24).

Through medical examination, it has been found that victims of anger rapes suffer considerable physical trauma to all areas of the body, often requiring X rays and consultation of other medical specialists”, they perceive the attack “as a life-threatening situation” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.24). The dangerousness of this type of rapist Can be assessed through the real life example of Paul Bernardo, Bernardo was sentenced to “life for the kidnapping, rapes and first-degree murders of two teenaged girls in the early 1990s” (CBC, 2018). Bernado “began his career as a rapist by stalking young women at bus stops, attacking them from behind, and then pulling them in between houses or to other dark areas to sexually assault them”, He would then “either [rape] his victims from behind or [order] them to close their eyes so they would not see his face” (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, P.388). The offender portrayed the anger typology through his use of “excessive force, physical brutality, and degradation during his assaults, even in the absence of victim resistance” additionally, “he pushed his victims’ faces into the ground [and] used choking devices” (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.388). Bernardo on multiple occasions “continued to injure his victims after raping them, he bound, gagged, kicked, hit, and, in one instance, broke the collarbone and then rubbed dirt in the hair of one woman”, all to degrade them and lower their self-worth which he fed on (McCrary, 2003, p.245). From the information presented, it is clear that this type of rapist is dangerous, with the blitz attacks, use of force/ violence and humiliating tactics, however Groth and Birnbaum state that although offenders like Bernard physically injure and humiliate the victims of their crimes, “the victims may have less long-lasting traumatic effects from the attacks” and this is due to the evidence of physical trauma on their bodies which create less suspicion and higher levels of comfort during contact with police, doctors, support workers etc (2001, p.24). Therefore, this typology breeds a high level of violence which is “sporadic and episodic” and is detrimental to the victim but also solidifies the level of wrongdoing in the eyes of the law (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.388).

The compensatory rapist (also known as the power/ power reassurance rapist) is “categorised by exercising strength, authority, and control over [the] victims” in order “to accommodate their feelings of inadequacy and as a strategy to affirm their masculinity” (Groth and Birnbaum, 1979, p.28). According to Pardue and Arrigo, “the amount of force used by power rapists is minimal”, instead “these rapists have no intention of injuring their victims and exercise only that violence necessary to carry out their assaults”, thus they cause less physical harm than other types as for them, violence is instrumental in order to commit rape (2003, p.380). Hazelwood explains that these type of “attackers are often referred to as “gentlemen rapists” because of their false display of concern and care for their victims”, they crave love and attention and don’t see their victims as strangers, even though it may be that the victim doesn’t know them; they will ask their victim to tell them they love them and ask them if they are ok (2001, p.134). This type of rapist “may perceive that the victim has shown a sexual interest in him, or that by the use of force the victim will grow to like him”, thus justifying the crime in their eyes (Craissati, 2005, cited in Simons, 2019). Groth and Birnbaum have noted that “frequently, the power rapist denies that the sexual encounter was forcible, he needs to believe the victim wanted it and enjoyed it”, the offender may even “insist on buying the victim a drink or dinner and express a wish to see them again” (2001, p.30). The feeling of want and need surround this type of offender, they are driven by fantasy and have convinced themselves that their victims desire them (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.30).

Although seen as the “nice rapist” compared to others, the impact of a power rape on a victim is as profound as the other types, without the physical evidence of trauma; due to coming out of the attack relatively unharmed (physically), the victim may face judgement and lower levels of support than a victim of an anger rape would (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p. 43). The psychological trauma suffered from a power rape can be extremely difficult for a victim to overcome, knowing their lives were being watched and noted down by a stranger who found out details about them without their knowledge triggers feelings such as paranoia and fear (Petherick and Ferguson, 2018). To demonstrate the level of danger this, type of rapist encompasses, the real-life example of Gilbert Escobedo can be used, Escobedo

used shadowed his victims “as part of a carefully executed process in which he determined victims and the location of attacks, mindful of his targets’ routine activities and lifestyle patterns” (Graney and Arrigo, 2002, p.81). It is estimated that Escobedo attacked over a hundred women, many of whom required years of treatment for the psychological trauma that came with a power rape (Swindle, 1997, p140). Given that Escobedo and the power, compensatory type of rapist rank somewhat low “on the dimension of anger/hostility”, the lengths that they go to in order to commit the rape are extreme and leave victims with an added level of trauma which does not heal like that of a physical wound, instead it goes deeper and leaves scars on the victim and their minds (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.395). The victims have often been known to express “anger at themselves” for not being able to escape the attack and also display “self-blame for being victimised” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.44).The dangerousness of this type of rapist is increased due to the likelihood of them craving to continue their power and control over the victim, it is very common for them to make threats to return, though it must be noted that rarely do they act on these threats (they are just another means of control) (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.43).

The sadistic rapists, unlike the other types mentioned above, are “sexually aroused by the physical and psychological suffering of their victims”, they use excessive force where it isn’t necessary and put their victim through acts such as, “bondage, torture, rape with objects, sexual mutilation, and, in extreme cases, murder” (Douglas et al, 2006, p.220). MacCullock et al describes sexual sadism “as the repeated practice of cruel sexual behaviour that is combined with fantasy and characterised by a desire to control the victim”, this type of rapist extensively plans their routes and locations but the victim at times may be as a result of opportunity (1983, cited in Simons, 2019). Groth and Birnbaum describe a sadistic rapist as finding “the intentional maltreatment of his victim intensely gratifying and takes pleasure in her torment, anguish, distress, helplessness and suffering”, the attack eerily may also have a “ritualistic quality” (2001, p.44). Pardue and Arrigo suggest that “sadistic offenders are likely to engage in multiple paraphilias”, “with onset typically occurring during adolescence” (2007, p.382). According to Groth and Birnbaum, “in contrast to the anger rapist, the sadistic rapist is not exploding with rage”, the attack is premeditated and usually after capturing the victim, the offender “works himself into a frenzy as he assaults her”; the abuse is both

physical and psychological, with hatred and control being “eroticised” in his mind (2001, p.45). Victims of a sadistic rape are often left with many physical injuries and have described the torment they underwent and the scars they received, for some, looking at the marks on their body cause them to relive the nightmare and abuse they went through (BBC, 2011).

The sadistic rapist type can be seen as the complete opposite to the “gentlemen rapist” and out of all the types mentioned, it can be argued that this type is the most physically dangerous one there is, mainly due to the victims life being very realistically in severe danger (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.382). When discussing the impact of this type of rape, it is important to note that “the victim of the sadistic rape may not survive the attack” for “the ultimate satisfaction is the murdering” of the victim, “not only to eliminate the witness to the crime and thus avoid detection , but also because killing is intrinsically pleasurable” for the offender (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.57). The dangerousness of a sadistic rapist can be measured by the case of Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer was arrested in 1991 for 17 murders, by the age of 18, the offender had “murdered, sexually assaulted, and then dismembered a teenage boy” (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.389). Described as a “psychopath”, Dahmer terrorised his victims and the surrounding community (The Independent, 2018). The level of physical danger this type of rapist embodies is extreme, should the victim survive the attack, “her treatment needs extend beyond crisis-intervention counselling and usually requires protracted and expert psychiatric care”, the horror of such an assault has been so overwhelming that victims have “wished to die rather than endure it any further” (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.58). Groth and Birnbaum found that this type of rapist made up 5% of all rapes, thus although the most severe in characteristics, there is less of a likelihood of suffering at a sadistic rapists’ hands. However, the trauma this type of rape causes, transcends the reassurance that its prevalence gives; the permanent injuries faced by victims act as a reminder of the terrible crime they suffered from, with many not being able to live life the way they wished to or previously could (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p.58).

This essay has delved into Groth’s four typologies of rapists, looking at their definition, characteristics and real-life examples whilst attempting to relay the level of dangerousness

they each pose. In order to effectively assess the level of danger each type of rapist exhibits; it is important to understand the term dangerousness itself. The Guardian regards dangerousness as “those who commit the most serious violent and sexual offences”, the more harm caused, the more dangerous they are (2008). Regardless of type, all rapes leave the victims with similar levels of emotional and psychological trauma, they penetrate not only sexually but psychologically, leaving the victims feeling shamed, paranoid and helpless (The Independent, 2015). It must be recognised that yes, all rapes cause harm, however there are levels to this harm and thus the dangerousness. Although opportunistic, anger and compensatory rapists all force their victims to face maltreatment, the sadistic typology can be argued to be by far the most dangerous (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.394). The victim’s life is put at most danger when being attacked by a sadistic rapist who experiences the greatest pleasure when the victim is in the most pain (Groth and Birnbaum, 2001, p. 57). Not only is this pain physical but a sadistic rapist also will humiliate their victim verbally, insulting them and making them feel worthless (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.382). The attacks are planned but the victim is not, and although this type accounts for 5% of rapists, the level of danger they pose is significant; given the substantial history of physical abuse this type of rapist would already have, this increases their level of dangerousness; they know the feeling associated with being in control and causing harm and they may become addicted to that (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.382). Therefore, it can be concluded that the level of physical and psychological harm that sadistic rapists cause makes them the most dangerous type of rapist (Pardue and Arrigo, 2007, p.389).

Bibliography

BBC News, 2019. 'Sadistic' Bristol rapist Ross Parsons jailed for life. [Accessed 6 November 2019] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13298439.

BBC News. 2018. 'Black cab rapist' John Worboys to stay in prison. [Accessed 7 November 2019] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46265924.

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