University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Journal of Sociology of Lifestyle (SLS) 2423-7558 9 1 2024 03 20 UUnveiling Hidden Faces: An Analysis of the Sociological Masks of Sexual Offenders UUnveiling Hidden Faces: An Analysis of the Sociological Masks of Sexual Offenders 99 120 19516 10.22034/sls.2025.66293.1505 FA Mohammad Abaszadeh Mohammad Abbaszadeh, Academic Member of Urban-Rural Sociology Research Group, University of Ta Masomeh Kazempour Department of Social Science, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz,Iran Fatemeh Ranjbar Research center of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Journal Article 2025 03 08 Sexual violence against women is a global phenomenon rooted in the social, cultural, and historical structures of different societies. This phenomenon stems from false beliefs in male superiority and gender inequalities. These inequalities are reinforced and institutionalized by social norms that place men in dominant positions and women in subordinate ones. The current study, utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, examines the characteristics of sexual assault perpetrators from the victims' perspectives.<br /><br />The data for this research was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 individuals, both women and men, who had experienced sexual assault at least once. The sampling was done purposefully and with adherence to the principle of theoretical saturation. Data analysis identified main themes such as "masked men," "betraying friends," "cultural poverty," and "the discrepancy between appearance and reality," organized around the central theme of "behind the mask of assault: hidden secrets."<br /><br />The findings reveal that the difference between the appearance and behavior of sexual assault perpetrators and their true nature leads to victimization. This issue is influenced by the cultural poverty of society, where ignorance, social taboos related to sexual matters, and the lack of necessary education about bodily rights and personal boundaries contribute to the justification and repetition of sexual violence. These factors cause sexual assault to remain a "hidden secret," perpetuating the cycle of deviation and sexual violence. Sexual violence against women is a global phenomenon rooted in the social, cultural, and historical structures of different societies. This phenomenon stems from false beliefs in male superiority and gender inequalities. These inequalities are reinforced and institutionalized by social norms that place men in dominant positions and women in subordinate ones. The current study, utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, examines the characteristics of sexual assault perpetrators from the victims' perspectives.<br /><br />The data for this research was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 individuals, both women and men, who had experienced sexual assault at least once. The sampling was done purposefully and with adherence to the principle of theoretical saturation. Data analysis identified main themes such as "masked men," "betraying friends," "cultural poverty," and "the discrepancy between appearance and reality," organized around the central theme of "behind the mask of assault: hidden secrets."<br /><br />The findings reveal that the difference between the appearance and behavior of sexual assault perpetrators and their true nature leads to victimization. This issue is influenced by the cultural poverty of society, where ignorance, social taboos related to sexual matters, and the lack of necessary education about bodily rights and personal boundaries contribute to the justification and repetition of sexual violence. These factors cause sexual assault to remain a "hidden secret," perpetuating the cycle of deviation and sexual violence. https://sls.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_19516_f13f027e1d87edd2668e5e6bb796fb89.pdf