as rape an experience that involved force or alcohol/drug-facilitated penetration when unable to consent has been called unacknowledged rape. It is a well-accepted finding first reported in the late 1980s (Koss et al., 1988) repeated in the early 2000s (Fisher et al., 2003) and most recently replicated by Kilpatrick et al. 2007. Unacknowledged rape is more common in college students raped by acquaintances (23%) compared to strangers (55%). Among community women, those who acknowledge the incident as rape are more likely to report than those who do not (21% vs 6%). Women who had been drinking alcohol or using drugs at the time of the rape are less likely to report the experience to authorities (Kilpatrick et al. 2007; Fisher et al. 2003). Other reasons that rape victims who have been raped by a known perpetrator may be less likely to report are feelings of shame, self-blame for the rape, fear of not being believed, not wanting to stir up controversy in social or familial circles, and not wanting to get their acquaintance in trouble (Kilpatrick et al. 2007). These feelings are all encouraged by traditional rape myths that perpetuate the stereotype that acquaintance rapes are not “real” rapes (Estrich, 1987). References Citations Sources Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M.R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fisher, B.S., Cullen, F.T., Turner, M.G. (2000). The Sexual Victimization of College Women. Research Report. Washington, D.C. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. Kilpatrick, D.G., Resnick, H., Ruggiero, K., Conoscenti, L., & McCauley, J. (2007). Drug facilitated, incapacitated, and forcible rape: A national study. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Justice. Tjaden, P. & Thoennes, N.(2000). Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Finding from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington, D.C. National Institute of Justice. Rape