Study Uncovers 36 Coercive Tactics Men Use Against Women

A recent study has brought to light alarming tactics employed by some men to coerce women into unwanted sexual encounters. Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence in April 2026, this research delves into the self-reported experiences of sexual aggression from a sample of 2,689 men aged between 18 and 34 across the United States and Canada. Through anonymous surveys, the researchers sought to understand the various strategies men utilize to pressure women into sexual situations against their will, revealing a disturbing prevalence of manipulation, social pressure, and psychological control rather than overt physical force.

The findings indicate that sexual coercion is often more complex than mere physical aggression, with many tactics involving emotional manipulation and persistent pressure. The study identified 36 distinct strategies that men reported using to achieve their aims, with a staggering 95.1% of participants admitting to employing at least one of these methods to engage a woman in sexual activity despite her lack of consent. Alarmingly, the study also found that around 65% of these attempts were successful, leading to instances of coercion or force, as recounted by the men themselves. On average, each participant reported using nearly nine different coercive strategies throughout their lives, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.