THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CRIME OF RAPE IN AUSTRALIA AND REVIEWS THE RESULTS OF A STUDY OF UNREPORTED RAPE IN QUEENSLAND. IT IS CONTENDED THAT RAPE VICTIMS SUFFER NOT ONLY FROM THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ATTACK ITSELF BUT ALSO FROM SOCIETAL REACTIONS TO THE ACT OF RAPE. VICTIMS OF RAPE ACTUALLY ARE LOOKED UPON AS OFFENDERS AND ARE DEFINED AS DEVIANTS THROUGH THE SOCIAL PROCESSES OF STEREOTYPING, NEGOTIATION, RETROSPECTIVE INTERPRETATION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL AMPLIFICATION. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED IN THE INTERESTS OF DEMYSTIFYING THE SOCIAL DEFINITION OF RAPE: FORMATION OF FEMALE-STAFFED SEXUAL OFFENSE SQUADS IN POLICE AGENCIES; ESTABLISHMENT OF VICTIM RELIEF CENTERS; LEGISLATIVE REDEFINITION OF RAPE UNDER A NEW CATEGORY OF ASSAULT CRIMES; ABOLITION OF CROSS-EXAMINATION REGARDING THE VICTIM'S PAST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE; PROSECUTION OF HUSBANDS WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULT THEIR WIVES; IMPROVEMENT OF HOSPITAL PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH RAPE VICTIMS; AND PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR WOMEN'S SHELTERS AND FOR FEMINIST CENTERS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED -- LKM)