Most preventive strategies advocated for rape focus on the victim, not the rapist, and ignore cultural factors which support or even promote rape. Previous studies have revealed that perceptions about rape and rape prevention depend on sex, race, and marital status. This study surveyed a random sample of 1,618 adults in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Chicago in November 1977. Respondents were asked to assess the effectiveness of 21 items describing rape prevention strategies which were characterized as assertive actions and environmental changes or as restrictions in a woman's behavior. Examples of restrictive items were having women avoid going out alone and stopping the push for women's rights, while assertive actions were fighting an attacker and increasing men's respect for women. Data were analyzed according to sex, different age groups, race, and income. Black and older women rated restrictive measures as more helpful than assertive ones, while the opposite patterns held for other race - sex groups and for young and middle - aged women. The assertion that the likelihood of victimization affects beliefs about rape was only partially supported. Statistically, black females and young women are most vulnerable to rape. Nevertheless, black women give the highest endorsement of all groups to restrictive measures, while young women demonstrated the lowest support for this strategy. The findings indicate that policies aimed at reducing rape will receive varying degrees of acceptance from target groups, particularly if restrictive measures are suggested. Public education about rape prevention may be needed after the effectiveness of various approaches has been determined. Tables, footnotes, and 13 references are included.