This book investigates the cultural and social frameworks that normalize sexual violence, specifically questioning how the concept of 'just sex' functions as a mechanism to minimize or excuse rape. Nicola Gavey, a professor of psychology, utilizes a feminist post-structuralist framework to analyze how societal norms, media representations, and interpersonal dynamics construct a reality where sexual coercion is often obscured or rationalized. By examining the 'cultural scaffolding' of rape, the author argues that these pervasive beliefs are not merely individual attitudes but are deeply embedded in the structures of contemporary society.

Experts in gender studies and psychology recognize this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of sexual violence as a systemic issue rather than an isolated act. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is often utilized in university-level courses focusing on the intersection of psychology and social justice.