NCJ Number
85260
Journal
Victimology Volume: 5 Issue: 2-4 Dated: (1980) Pages: 121-132
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report compares public perceptions of rape in the United Kingdom with victims' own perceptions of how they were seen by others. It asserts that the rape victim's image is an important factor with respect to the potential reporting of the offense.
Abstract
Subjects watched four video taped interviews with four women aged about 14, 23, 35, and 45 years old. They were randomly allocated different information about each woman, suggesting that she was either a victim of rape by an acquaintance or by a stranger; a victim of attempted rape, mugging or attempted mugging; or that no crime had occurred. Subjects viewed rape victims as either prostitutes or tarts who probably behave and dress in a provocative manner or as young attractive flirts who are naive. They may generate the latter image to explain why 'respectable' women could be raped, whereas the more negative image is always in the background. This negative image influenced subjects' perception of victims and may affect victims' self-perceptions enough to contribute to the nonreporting of the offense. Estimates of unreported rapes range from 60-95 percent. Study data and 25 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)