Against Our Will

1. Rape as a Tool of Intimidation and Control

It is nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear.

Rape's Function. Brownmiller argues that rape is not merely a sex crime, but a tool used to maintain male dominance. This perspective shifts the focus from individual pathology to a broader social dynamic where the threat of rape keeps women in a perpetual state of fear and subordination.

Historical Context. Throughout history, rape has been used as a means to assert power and control over women. From primitive tribal societies to modern warfare, the act of rape has served as a way for men to intimidate and subjugate women, reinforcing their lower status in society.

Zoological Perspective. Unlike animals, where sex is primarily driven by biological signals and mating cycles, humans have evolved a complex system of psychological signs and urges. This allows men to exert sexual interest in women at any time, regardless of their biological readiness, making rape a uniquely human phenomenon.

2. The Law's Complicity in the Subjugation of Women

A crime committed against her body became a crime against the male estate.

Patriarchal Origins. Ancient laws, such as the Code of Hammurabi and Mosaic law, treated women as property, not as independent beings. Rape was thus viewed as a crime against the male estate, a violation of ownership rights, rather than a violation of a woman's bodily integrity.

Bride Capture. The practice of bride capture, where women were forcibly abducted and raped to establish marriage, highlights the historical subjugation of women. This practice, though less overt today, still influences social mores in some parts of the world.

Evolution of Legal Thought. Over time, legal concepts of rape have gradually evolved, with the Crown beginning to take an active interest in rape prosecutions. However, even with these advancements, the law has struggled to fully recognize rape as a crime against a woman's body, often viewing it as a property crime or a matter of female consent.

3. War as a Catalyst for Sexual Violence

Unquestionably there shall be some raping. Unconscionable, but nevertheless inevitable.

Rape in Warfare. Brownmiller asserts that rape has been a consistent companion to wars throughout history. It is not merely an unfortunate byproduct but a deliberate tactic used to demoralize and subjugate the enemy population.

Male Dominance. War provides men with the perfect psychological backdrop to express their contempt for women. The all-male environment of the military, the power of weaponry, and the hierarchical command structure all reinforce the idea that women are irrelevant and subordinate.

Historical Examples. From the Trojan War to the conflicts in Bangladesh and Vietnam, rape has been a recurring feature of warfare. It serves as a means of intimidation, revenge, and asserting dominance over the conquered.

4. The Propaganda of Rape: Weaponizing Victimization

Critical to our study is the recognition that rape has a history, and that through the tools of historical analysis we may learn what we need to know about our current condition.

World War I. During World War I, the Allied nations successfully used reports of rape by German soldiers as propaganda to sway public opinion. This marked a turning point where rape became a tool of psychological warfare.

Denial and Dismissal. After the war, there was a predictable backlash, with scholars attempting to debunk Allied propaganda. This often led to a dismissal of rape reports, with some experts arguing that the stories were exaggerated or fabricated.

Propaganda's Impact. The use of rape as propaganda highlights the power of narratives in shaping public perception and influencing political action. It also underscores the importance of critically examining historical accounts to uncover the truth about women's experiences.

5. Race and Rape: A Legacy of Inequality

The body of a raped woman becomes a ceremonial battlefield, a parade ground for the victor's trooping of the colors. The act that is played out upon her is a message passed between men—vivid proof of victory for one and loss and defeat for the other.

Historical Context. In the United States, the intersection of race and rape has a long and troubling history. During slavery, black women were systematically subjected to sexual violence by white men, while black men were often falsely accused of raping white women, leading to lynchings and other forms of racial terror.

The Scottsboro Case. The Scottsboro case, where nine black men were falsely accused of raping two white women, exemplifies the racial bias and injustice that have historically plagued the American legal system. The case became a symbol of racial inequality and the vulnerability of black men to false accusations.

Modern Manifestations. Even today, racial disparities persist in rape cases, with black men often facing harsher sentences than white men for similar crimes. This underscores the need for ongoing efforts to address racial bias in the criminal justice system and to ensure that all victims of sexual violence are treated with respect and dignity.

6. Power Dynamics: Institutionalized Abuse

Man's discovery that his genitalia could serve as a weapon to generate fear must rank as one of the most important discoveries of prehistoric times, along with the use of fire and the first crude stone axe.

Prison Rape. The phenomenon of prison rape highlights the power dynamics and vulnerability that exist within institutional settings. In prisons, weaker inmates are often subjected to sexual violence by stronger inmates, with prison authorities often turning a blind eye to the abuse.

Child Molestation. The sexual abuse of children is another example of institutionalized abuse, where adults use their authority and power to exploit and harm vulnerable minors. This abuse often occurs within families or other trusted relationships, making it difficult for victims to come forward.

Police Rape. The abuse of power by law enforcement officials, including rape, represents a betrayal of public trust. Police rape is a particularly egregious crime, as it involves those charged with protecting citizens using their authority to commit sexual violence.

7. The Myth of the Heroic Rapist: Glorifying Violence

From prehistoric times to the present, I believe, rape has played a critical function. It is nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear.

Cultural Perpetuation. The myth of the heroic rapist is perpetuated in literature, movies, and popular culture, where sexual violence is often romanticized or presented as a natural expression of male dominance. This glorification of rape normalizes the act and contributes to a culture of fear and intimidation for women.

Examples in Media. From James Bond to Mick Jagger's "Midnight Rambler," popular culture often celebrates figures who embody a twisted form of masculinity that includes sexual conquest and violence. These portrayals reinforce harmful stereotypes and contribute to the normalization of rape.

The Power of Myth. The myth of the heroic rapist serves to absolve men of guilt and responsibility for sexual violence. By framing rape as an inevitable or even desirable act, it perpetuates a culture of impunity and makes it more difficult for victims to come forward and seek justice.

8. Victims: The Setting and the Crime

Man's structural capacity to rape and woman's corresponding structural vulnerability are as basic to the physiology of both our sexes as the primal act of sex itself.

Female Vulnerability. Brownmiller emphasizes the structural vulnerability of women to rape due to anatomical differences. This vulnerability, combined with societal conditioning, creates a setting where women are often trained to be victims.

The Crime. A female definition of rape is if a woman chooses not to have intercourse with a specific man and the man chooses to proceed against her will, that is a criminal act of rape.

The Setting. The setting in which a rape occurs can vary widely, from familiar environments like the victim's home to more isolated locations. However, regardless of the setting, the crime is always an act of violence and intimidation.

9. Women Fight Back: Resistance and Change

I wrote this book because I am a woman who changed her mind about rape.

Challenging the Status Quo. Brownmiller's personal journey from accepting traditional views on rape to becoming a vocal advocate for women's rights reflects the transformative power of feminist consciousness. By challenging the status quo and demanding recognition of women's experiences, feminists have paved the way for meaningful change.

Legal and Social Reforms. The women's movement has fought for legal reforms to address the crime of rape, including the elimination of corroboration requirements and the recognition of marital rape. These efforts have helped to shift the focus from victim-blaming to holding offenders accountable for their actions.

Empowerment and Self-Defense. In addition to legal and social reforms, women are also fighting back against rape by learning self-defense techniques and challenging cultural norms that promote sexual violence. By empowering themselves and each other, women are creating a world where rape is no longer tolerated or accepted.

Last updated: May 17, 2025