Rape fantasy
A rape fantasy may be a mental imagining (a sexual fantasy) about rape, a fictional story about a rape, or an acted out scene of pretend rape between consenting adults. Because real-world rape is a violent crime, the choice of rape as a subject for fantasy is very disturbing to some people.
Fantasy
There are as many types of rape fantasies as there are people who have them. The limits are confined only to the vast reaches of the mind. They range from unwilling seduction to violent, forceful sex. One can imagine one is the rapist, or that one is being raped. It is estimated that 24% of men and 36% of women have had a rape fantasy, and 10% of women report this is their favorite type of fantasy. [1] It should not, however, be assumed that a rape fantasy is a wish to actually engage in the act in reality. In the same way that people who have fantasies about flying do not jump out of windows, people with rape fantasies rarely confuse their fantasies with real rape, which is a violent crime.
Psychologically, many women (and even some men) turn to rape fantasy because sex is surrounded so much by taboo and religious restrictions. Rape fantasy is psychologically a device by which a person may safely experience intense sexuality and emotions without guilt, since it is not their choice, or "their fault". It is also an outlet for sexually submissive men and women, and also sexual dominants can imagine themselves as having sexual control or power without actually committing an illegal or immoral act. Finally, as with many sexual fantasies, rape may be appealing because it is a taboo.
Many people assume that people aroused by rape fantasies must be more likely than others to commit the actual act, or that victims with rape fantasies actually want to become victims of sexual assault. This does not correspond with observed scientific evidence, however; while rapists usually fantasize about rape, so do normal psychologically healthy people.
In fact, an inability to use sexual fantasies for gratification is often regarded by law enforcement and other professionals as a more alarming warning sign than the presence of sexual fantasies of rape or sadism. Millions of normal people fantasize about rape, or being raped without wanting it to happen in reality.
For some who have actually been sexually abused, rape fantasy may be a way to heal past wounds by exploring in a safe environment with a sense of control.
Fiction
Rape Fantasy is also a sub-genre of erotic fiction. Just as some people like to imagine rape, others like to write and read about it.
Again it should be noted that just because someone is writing or reading fictional rape accounts, even if they are aroused by it, does not mean they actually wish to rape or be raped.
Roleplay
One form of sexual roleplaying is the rape fantasy. It is a sub-genre of BDSM. This is also referred to as "consensual non-consent". In other words, adults agree to pretend that one or more of the parties is not actually consenting.
It is only a rape fantasy if all participants are consenting adults. As soon as someone is no longer consenting, it becomes a real rape.
Since the illusion of non-consensuality is important to the fantasy, a safeword is often employed. This way, a participant can protest without stopping the scene, unless the safeword is used. At which time, play stops or is paused for discussion.
In healthy rape fantasies, all participants carefully negotiate a scene beforehand. Limits are respected and made very clear, to maintain safety and consensuality.