Introduction

Abstract

Although interest in the topic of rape has increased to record levels, controversy remains about the answers to several critically important questions about the scope of rape, the psychological impact of rape, the best methods for treating rape-related problems and rape prevention. Given the strong emotional reactions that rape generates, it is important to base opinions, services, and public policy on the best empirical research possible. The four articles in this special section address the aforementioned questions from a research perspective, reviewing extant research, identifying methodological shortcomings of that research, and making recommendations about how future research can be improved. Because America's rape problem is so large and the mental health impact of rape is so great, the need for more methodologically sound research is equally great.