A rape trial is unlike any other trial due to its intimate and complex nature and requires specialized preparation and trial techniques. The absence of these techniques, especially in voir dire, can and does lead to tragic results. Voir dire may be the most important part of rape trials due to the hidden biases, prejudices, and personal experiences that our society has regarding women, men, sex, and violence. The author suggests that some female jurors tend not to believe the claims of rape victims as a method of psychological self-protection. They reassure themselves that they are safe by distinguishing themselves from the victim and blaming the victim for what happened to her. If prosecutors used this information in preparation for their rape trials, the issue perhaps could be addressed during voir dire and during the trial itself and they could avoid some of the pitfalls of gender-based stereotyping in rape cases. Appendix, endnotes