Article published in the «Academy of Criminal Justice today» — 2000 — Vol. XIX — Issue 1 (January/February) — p. 2-6"Raves'' first appeared in the U.S. and the U.K. during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Raves are all-night parties (dances) held in abandoned ware-houses, airplane hangers, and other large-capacity buildings without permits or licenses. Attracting a predominately young crowd teenagers to those in their mid-20s), raves involve almost continuous dancing in a setting replete with elaborate lighting and hypnotic music, including "tech," "house," "acid jazz," and "ambient house." (Forsyth et al. 1997; Hills 1996). The term "rave" was used to distinguish the activities occurring at
mainstream, licensed clubs, from those occurring at "pay parties," or "dance clubs." Raves emphasize social bonding, the collective experiences of dancing, a communal state of euphoria, and the "happy vibe" (Measham et al. 1998; Newcombe 1992). Ravers also reject alcohol-related physical (and sexual) aggression common in mainstream clubs (Measham etal. 1998).
