Data from various studies agree that adolescent date rape is prevalent and that even high-school dating is accompanied by coercion and sexual violence. Muehlenhard and Linton (1987) have identified variables that are risk factors for date rape. These include the male's initiating and taking a dominant role during the date, miscommunication regarding sex, heavy alcohol or drug use, "parking," and male acceptance of traditional sex roles, interpersonal violence, adversarial attitudes regarding relationships, and rape myths. Koss (1985) reported that some types of rape were more likely to occur within the context of a longer relationship. An important risk factor not studied by Muehlenhard and Linton but which other researchers indicate is important in predicting date rape is the perpetrator's having experienced childhood or adolescent sexual abuse, particularly incest. The proposed theoretical model integrates the risk-factor data for both date rape and child sexual abuse. The proposed model suggests that when a potential offender has sufficient motivation, when his internal inhibitors are overcome, and when external inhibitors are absent or manipulated to aid and abet sexual exploitation, then date rape can occur; however, if the victim's resistance is not undermined or neutralized, date rape may be prevented. 1 figure, 48 references.