I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape [Paperback]

Robin Warshaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 1994

The classic book that broke new ground by thoroughly reporting on the widespread problem of date and acquaintance rape has now been completely updated to include recent studies, issues, current events, and controversies.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Based on first-person accounts, scholarly studies and data from a nationwide survey of college campuses conducted by Ms. magazine, freelance journalist Warshaw draws a devastating portrait of men who rape women they know. The Ms. survey reveals that 25% of the college women polled have been the victims of rape or attempted rape, 84% of the victims were acquainted with the attacker and 57% of the rapes happened on dates. One in 12 of the male respondents admitted to acts that meet the legal definition of rape or attempted rape. Warshaw, herself the victim of an acquaintance rape, handles an inherently sensational subject with compassion and restraint. She describes and condemns the social milieu that condones such acts by encouraging men to see sex as conquest and women to view sexual coercion as part of the "dating game." There is realistic, practical advice on how women can protect themselves against attacks by acquaintances and on how men can prevent this type of rape. Literary Guild alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA--I Never Called It Rape confronts the issue of what used to be known as "date rape" but is now commonly referred to as "acquaintance rape." First-hand accounts by women who have been raped by men whom they knew provides a background for analyzing this crime . These stories are meant to make women aware of how this type of rape happens, how to avoid the pitfalls of certain situations, and how to acknowledge that a rape has taken place even if the person is familiar . Chapters are directed toward preventing such an assault as well as what to do if you are a victim of acquaintance rape. The statistics in the book indicate that this is a widespread occurrence often ignored by women who deny what happened or feel they won't be believed. This book will enlighten young women about what constitutes an assault against them and how to deal with it.
- Anne Paget, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (July 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060925728
• ISBN-13: 978-0060925727
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Rape
  • #70 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Dysfunctional Relationships

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Never Called It Rape...and Now I Do, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape (Paperback)

This book was an essential part of my early recovery process. As a survivor of relationship violence and rape in my adolescence, I never knew how to characterize it, what to call it. As a teenager, the "R" word seemed to be too imposing -- but the actual experiences were far more imposing than the language; indeed, the language and the naming of the unspeakable experience made it possible to finally confront it. Like Herman's "Trauma and Recovery," this book presented examples which helped me to understand that I was not alone in this process, nor was I losing my mind. My own responses of self-blame, depression, and anger could be understood in terms of my coping with the assault. I wish that we lived in a world where there would be no need for such a report as Ms. Warshaw's; given that we don't, I am very thankful for it.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a MUST Read for survivors of Rape and Sexual Assault, September 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape (Paperback)

As a survivor of sexual assault, this book was a Godsend while I was emotionally prepairing for my university judicial hearing as well as my show-cause hearing in district. As a survivor herself, Ms.Warshaw must have known the importance of including the stories of other survivors in her book. It was by reading about people like my self and other survivors can comprehend what we might go through and that we are not alone. However, there are still some people who decided that they wanted to try and disprove the point that rape and sexual assault hurts women in ways that people who have not survived a sexual assault could possabily understand. In this new addition, Ms. Warshaw puts her detractors(and they KNOW who they are)to shame by not only providing an awesome counter argument, but by using Real Facts obtained in a Scientific Study. These are some of the things that her detractors did not do.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book every woman should read, May 19, 2001

By 

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This review is from: I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting, and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape (Paperback)

If you know someone who is going off to college or moving out on her own, recovering from a divorce or anything ~~ or simply because you love her, this is a book I highly recommend for you to give to her. It talks about date rape/acquaintance rape ~~ a subject that isn't talked about very often ~~ and you will find resources in this book to help a survivor recover ~~ or even to prevent a rape from happening. And I recommend young men reading this book too. It shows the other side of rape ~~ a man may think that a woman "teased" him and that she really wanted it ~~ but oftentimes, it leaves lasting scars ~~ not just on the victims but also on the rapists too. Both men and women need to be educated on what date rape is ~~ it is more common than people think.

When a woman says no, a man is trained by society that she really means yes ~~ but that isn't the case. Rape is when a sexual act is committed against a woman's will ~~ even if she knows her attacker. It's downright disturbing and there are many women who have survived date rape. Did you know that "stranger rape" occurs very rarely but "acquaintance rape" occurs more often? Also, did you know that even if a woman stops dating a man, he can still rape her? There are all kinds of stories in this book that the author shares with the reader to warn them of this issue.

This book will share with you how to recognize the danger signals and how to prevent a rape from happening. If it happens, there is advice on what to do next. It explores the statistics of numerous studies performed on this topic and it's downright scary. But there are people fighting it and so can you. Just read this book, and pass it on. I truly believe every woman going off to college or moving out on her own or even entering her teen years should have a copy of this. It shouldn't be a topic to ignore ~~ it should be talked about and shared ~~ it is a serious issue and one that every woman needs to be aware of.

I have a young cousin going off to college and this is one book I would like to send to her. For all you moms, dads, grandmas, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends should think of the young women (and young men) in your family or circle of friends and think of how you should arm them with knowledge on how to prevent acquaintance rape from happening. But not only women need to read this book, men should too. They should sit down with their sons and tell them that "no means no." And that they should resist pressure from other men in raping a woman. Acquaintance rape is very damaging to women and to men as well. It wreaks havoc on the fragile fabric of society itself.

Pick it up ~~ I don't think you'll regret it as one can never have too much information about a topic like this one.