Abstract
Through a cross-sectional study conducted at Kabale Regional Hospital, among 111 men accused of rape and admitted for forensic examination from June 2009 to June 2010, we assessed whether the characteristics of perpetrators and the circumstances of the alleged sexual assault differ in acquaintance and stranger rape. Using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and records review, data were collected on socio-demographic variables, circumstances of the alleged offense and the relation of the accused to the survivors. The mean age was 26.6 years (±10.1 years), 30 (27.0) had been drunk and 67.2% (75) knew their accuser. There was no difference in the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics between stranger and acquaintance rape. There were no differences regarding whether the alleged crime occurred at the assailant's/survivor's home or outside either the survivor's or the assailant's home setting. Respondents either trivialized or justified the accusations against them. Our study shows that rape myths and drinking alcohol were common in all types of sexual assault.
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