A prominent sociologist says the greatest tragedy of a women being raped is that it's likely that some sort of violence has occurred in her childhood.

Professor of Sociology at Canterbury University Greg Newbold discussed how rape attitudes have changed over the last few decades at a UC Connect public lecture last night.

LISTEN ABOVE: Greg Newbold speaks with Newstalk ZB reporter Alicia Burrow

Mr Newbold said children who're abused when they're young are often unable to say no, and it negatively affects their decision making as adults.

He said that sort of background damages the individual's self worth, and in their mind, can justify the act of rape.

Mr Newbold said sentencing for rapists is high, and our legal definition of rape is sound. He said to reduce rape statistics, we need to find new ways to tackle domestic violence.

He said as a preventative measure, more support needs to be given to women and men from violent families, and we need to crack-down on the perpetrators of violence.

"Domestic violence and rape often go hand in hand and women who become rape victims, particularly when they become serial rape victims, that is they get raped more than once, they tend to be women who also get beaten more than once."