NCJ Number
240350
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2012 Pages: 443-452
Date Published
October 2012
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the role that rape myth acceptance, gender role attitudes, and victim substance use play when in the allocation of rape blame attribution.
Abstract
This article reviews research literature examining the effects of key factors that influence individual's attitudes towards victims of rape. The impact of rape myths, gender roles and substance use on attributions of blame in cases of rape are discussed. The phenomenon of victim-blaming within such cases is explored with reference to the attribution theory to help explain why rape victims are sometimes seen as deserving of their misfortune. Findings indicate that men demonstrate higher rape myth acceptance than women and attribute higher levels of blame to victims than women; women who violate traditional gender roles are attributed more blame than those women who do not; and women who consume alcohol prior to their attack are attributed higher levels of blame than those who are not intoxicated. The findings are discussed with reference to the implications for the Criminal Justice System and future interventions for both victims and perpetrators of rape. (Published Abstract)