This review addresses a sexual fantasy that has long been stigmatized and scarce in literature, despite its prevalence and profoundly erotic nature for many. Rape fantasies and other variations of forced sex involve a person imaginings or dreaming of a sexual experience without consent while simultaneously, not necessarily desiring to live this situation in their real-life.
Rape fantasies have predominantly been studied in cis women populations. Several manifestations of biological essentialism can be detected in the literature on the subject, especially for gender differences concerning sexual fantasies and domination-submission dynamics.
Studies on rape fantasies often derive from the assumption that these fantasies are atypical, perhaps even pathological. However, studies reveal that they are indeed common fantasies, with prevalence rates estimated as high as 62% in women entertaining these fantasies (Critelli & Bivona, 2008).
Moreover, this review includes studies that have considered the origin of this type of sexual fantasy. Authors have investigated the association between fantasizing about rape and being a survivor of sexual assault, with divergent results.
In general, most of the studies are quantitative and appear to lack qualitative exploration into the experiences of those whose fantasy scenarios include rape fantasies.
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