Which statement best describes the victims' relationships with their rapists?

Which statement best describes the victims' relationships with their rapists?

• A. Strangers
• B. Acquaintances, intimates, or relatives
• C. Co-workers
• D. Law enforcement

Answer: (B)

Most rapes are committed by someone the survivor knows, not a stranger. Saying the victims’ relationships are with acquaintances, intimates, or relatives captures the broad range of people in a survivor’s life—friends, partners (current or former), family members, and others the survivor knows—who can be the perpetrator. The other options are too narrow or misleading: a stranger implies unknown assailants, which isn’t the typical pattern; a coworker is just one possible relationship and doesn’t describe the overall common pattern; and law enforcement is not a typical source of such violence. Recognizing that the risk often lies within familiar social circles informs how we assess safety, support survivors, and avoid stereotypes.

Most rapes are committed by someone the survivor knows, not a stranger. Saying the victims’ relationships are with acquaintances, intimates, or relatives captures the broad range of people in a survivor’s life—friends, partners (current or former), family members, and others the survivor knows—who can be the perpetrator. The other options are too narrow or misleading: a stranger implies unknown assailants, which isn’t the typical pattern; a coworker is just one possible relationship and doesn’t describe the overall common pattern; and law enforcement is not a typical source of such violence. Recognizing that the risk often lies within familiar social circles informs how we assess safety, support survivors, and avoid stereotypes.