Idiomer
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English · Slang Attested 18+

rape van

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

A vehicle with a large interior body having no windows or blocked windows, such that it would be easy to lure or force a person inside and thereafter conceal their presence in the vehicle in order to commit a sexual assault against them.

Register: slang, vulgar

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

It would be difficult even to raise questions about the accuracy of the rape van story, however, in the highly emotional atmosphere of a slide show; you'd be accused of "not believing the women."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rape van” mean?

A vehicle with a large interior body having no windows or blocked windows, such that it would be easy to lure or force a person inside and thereafter conceal their presence in the vehicle in order to commit a sexual assault against them.

Is “rape van” formal or informal?

rape van is generally slang, vulgar.