A model, which incorporates the effects of the victim's subjective experience of the assault, is proposed to explain inconsistent findings in previous research. To test this model, 41 adult women who were between 3 and 120 months postassault were asked to report information about the assault (assault violence) and their subjective experience of it during the assault (distress). Subjects also answered questions about several measures of fear and anxiety. Each of these measures was regressed on the assault violence and subjective distress variables. The relevance of these findings to understanding rape-induced fear and anxiety and improving treatment provided to its victims is discussed. 31 references and 2 tables. (Author abstract modified)