Rape rates and the circulation rates of adult magazines

• Published in: The Journal of sex research Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 241 - 250
• Main Authors: Scott, Joseph E., Schwalm, Loretta A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-1988; Society for the Scientific Study of Sex
• Subjects: Brief Reports; Erotic literature; Human aggression; Periodical indexing; Pornography; Rape; Rape statistics; Sales; Sexual violence; Social psychology; Violent crimes
• ISSN: 0022-4499; 1559-8519
• DOI: 10.1080/00224498809551419

Data from the Audit Bureau of Circulation & the Federal Bureau of Investigation are used to examine the relationship between the sale of 10 popular adult magazines & the reported rape rates by the 50 states & Washington, DC, for 1982. Results reveal a positive relationship, even when controlling for the other variables known to be associated with rape rates. However, when Alaska, Nev, & Washington, DC, are excluded from the analysis, the statistical relationship loses significance. In addition to adult magazine sales, findings suggest that the % of a state's population living below the poverty level & the % of a state considered to be parts of standard metropolitan areas are positively & significantly associated with rape rates. It is pointed out that these results do not necessarily imply a causal relationship between such sales & rape rates. 1 Table, 40 References. Modified AA