http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAXGzJuyMF0&feature=related

Here, we have a song that has permeated popular culture in the last year. This song has real emotion in it because it is an auto-tuned version of Antoine Dodson’s account of what happened. In Huntsville, AL, a man climbed through the window of Antoine’s 2^nd story apartment to steal things, but then he turned into an opportunistic rapist and tried to rape Kelly Dodson in her bed. After she screamed, her brother Antoine came into the room and threw the guy off of his sister. (Gentle, 2010). The perpetrator then fled out of the window, leaving behind his shirt, fingerprints, and shoe prints on a trashcan. (“Antoine dodson warns,” 2010). Although the song was made by the Gregory Brothers to help get the message out on this family’s trauma, there was also some backlash; many people thought that it was fake when it first came out, myself included. There were even people commenting on the videos with such hateful remarks like “why would anyone rape this black monkey c–t? She wanted it”. In fact, the news reporters who reported this story were given pressure from the community of Huntsville not to broadcast this because they felt that Antoine speaking would give the community a bad image. The main issue here, though, was that Kelly Dodson was almost raped. This song really speaks to people because it’s catchy, full of emotion, and talks about something that has never been put into a song: rape.

As far as rapists are concerned, there are 4 accepted rapist profiles outlined by Dr. Nicholas Groth. The four types are as follows:

*‘The power-assertive rapist’: This is argued to be the most common type of rapist, accounting for about 40 percent of all reported rapes. Wishing to be an alpha male, he tends to value machismo and physical aggression, and often rapes victims that he meets in places like bars, where he may pose as, or be, an authority figure. Power-assertive rapists rarely target specific people for rape and, while not intending to kill their victims, often traumatize and humiliate them.

*‘The power-reassurance rapist’: Responsible for about 27.5% of reported rapes, this type of rapist has been described by law enforcers as the “gentleman rapist”. He is usually:

• of average intelligence;
• not physically aggressive;
• socially deficient; and
• unable to develop interpersonal or romantic relationships.

Usually, he will select and stalk a victim before committing the crime. The victim is usually someone whom he knows, eg. a neighbor or work acquaintance. Power-reassurance rapists often force the victim to emulate foreplay, and take “trophies” of the rape; they may even record the event in a personal journal. Power-reassurance rapists tend to be the least violent type of rapists, often fantasizing about consensual sexual relationships with women, rather than violent conquests.

*‘Anger-retaliatory rapist’: Responsible for about 28% of rapes, this type of rapist is often a substance abuser, with impulsive behavior and anger-related pathologies. He does not target specific victims, and often feels a general animosity toward the gender of his target. The anger-retaliatory rapist’s attacks are usually spontaneous and brutal, and while he does not intend to kill the victim, he may beat her or him to death if she or he resists. This rapist usually has below-average intelligence, and is likely to leave more evidence than other types of rapists.

*‘The anger-excitation rapist’: This type of rapist, considered the most dangerous and elusive, accounts for about 4.5 percent of rapes. The anger-excitation rapist may or may not choose his victims selectively. Often [sadistic], this type of rapist frequently [murder] his victim to prevent her or him from identifying him, or for his own self-gratification. FBI profilers lists the fourth type as “sexually sadistic rapists.” These rapists are sexual sadists. Only a small percentage of sexual sadists are rapists. (Groth, 1979)

The rapist in this case falls under the power-reassurance rapist profile because he was committing another crime (theft) and attempted to rape because the opportunity presented itself. Fortunately, he was thwarted before he could attempt penetration.

Unfortunately, rape is a crime that is hard to combat. Not only is it one of the most under-reported of the violent crimes, there are many psychological and physical consequences of rape make it so heinous. Men and women who have been raped suffer many different ways even after the commission of the rape. Our justice system takes much time in the prosecution of rape, something that prolongs the recovery period for victims. Also, due to the emotional weight that this crime carries, cross-examination can scare victims into not cooperating with prosecutors because they don’t want to relive what happened, similar to PSTD. (Swanson, et al. 2008, p. 322) There needs to be more interaction between law enforcement and the community to ensure that law enforcement approaches this crime in the best way possible to prosecute those responsible.

(2010). Antoine Dodson warns a perp on live tv! (original) . (2010). [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520

Gentle, E. (2010, July 28). Woman wakes up to find intruder in her bed. 48 News. Retrieved from http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12883477

Groth, N. (1979). Men who rape: the psychology of the offender. Perseus Books Group.

Swanson, C. R., Chamelin, N. C., Territo, L., & Taylor, R. W. (2008). Criminal investigation. (10 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.