The purpose of this paper was to increase awareness of some of the ways that we, as individuals and as a society, are encouraging the crime of rape. The paper examines our ideals about sexuality, appropriate sexual roles for women and men, the relationship between sex and aggression and how these contribute to rape. Laws, court procedures and police procedures concerning rape victims are discussed as are ways that rape victims are pictured in various media. Finally the paper looks at the way we use rape or the fear of rape, as a threat to keep women in what has been traditionally considered appropriate roles. (Author)