Forensic psychiatry classifies most rapists not as malicious sadists, but as "entitled opportunists." They have high social competence, prioritize their own gratification, and often don't realize they've committed assault. This highlights that prevention is possible through education on consent and empathy, as their actions stem from socialization, not inherent malice.
Beyond fight, flight, or freeze, "fawning" is a stress response where a victim acts overly nice or compliant to survive a dangerous situation. This unconscious strategy, often seen in sexual assault cases where a victim smiles or cooperates, is frequently misinterpreted as consent, leading to self-blame and flawed legal defenses.
Contrary to media portrayals that equate danger with desire, psychologist Nicole McNichols argues that novelty—not risk—is what fuels arousal. A person's sensation of pleasure is deeply dependent on feeling safe. Therefore, communicating needs, respecting boundaries, and continuously checking in with a partner are crucial for creating hotter, more unbridled sexual experiences.
Activist Chanel Contos frames sexual violence with a simple but powerful formula: it happens when entitlement to another person's body outweighs empathy for them. For the most common type of perpetrator (the "entitled opportunist"), empathy is present but underdeveloped. This suggests cultural change and education can be highly effective prevention tools by strengthening empathy.
Countering the myth of spontaneous desire, psychologist Nicole McNichols presents a three-stage pleasure cycle: "wanting" (dopamine-fueled anticipation), "liking" (present engagement), and "learning" (reflection). For long-term couples, actively cultivating each stage—by sending anticipatory texts and communicating preferences—can reboot a responsive libido that relies on context and safety.