The salient features of this study were recruiting methods which avoided self-identified or helpseeking participants, inclusion of a wide range of victim-offender relationships, and use of a national sample of respondents. In general, acquaintance rapes were more likely to be multiple episodes perpetrated by a single offender and were less likely to be seen as rape; however the groups did not differ in their rating of the clarity of their nonconsent, the degree of resistance they offered, or their feelings of depression and anger following the rape. Acquaintance rapes were usually rated as less violent than stranger rapes, with the exception of rapes by husbands and other family members, which were equally violent to stranger rapes but less likely to occur in the context of drinking or drug use. Both groups of victims used resistance tactics including turning cold, reasoning or pleading, crying or sobbing, running away, and physically struggling; women assaulted by strangers were more likely to scream for help. Virtually no differences were found among the groups of victims in their levels of psychological symptoms. Further comparisons between four forms of acquaintance rape are provided. 5 tables, 34 references.