Perceptions of peer rape myth acceptance and disclosure in a sample of college sexual assault survivors.

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Paul ◽  
Matt J. Gray ◽  
Jon D. Elhai ◽  
Joanne L. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
College Sexual Assault ◽  
Assault Survivors ◽  
Myth Acceptance

Reconsidering Forced Labels: Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors Versus Victims (and Those Who Choose Neither)

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 668-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Williamson ◽  
Kelly Serna
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Assault Survivors ◽  
Myth Acceptance

The goal of the current study was to assess the effects of self-labeling on attitudes related to victim- and self-blaming and self-compassion outcomes in 85 participants (75 women, 10 men) who have experienced sexual assault. Participants classified themselves as either a survivor, victim, or neither survivor nor victim of sexual assault. Regardless of self-classification, groups did not differ in victim-blaming (rape myth acceptance), self-blaming, or levels of self-compassion. Implications for language and forced labels of those who have experienced sexual assault are discussed.

Responding to Disclosure of Sexual Assault: The Potential Impact of Victimization History and Rape Myth Acceptance

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626051989842
Author(s):  
Hanna M. Grandgenett ◽  
Anne L. Steel ◽  
Rebecca L. Brock ◽  
David DiLillo
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Victimization Experience ◽  
Victimization History ◽  
Myth Acceptance

Victims of sexual assault often disclose their victimization experiences to friends and family members in the hope of gaining support. However, a number of factors may influence the manner in which these confidants respond to the disclosure (e.g., severity of the victim’s assault). The purpose of this study was to examine the role of two unique factors—the disclosure recipient’s sexual victimization history and endorsement of rape myths—in predicting responses to disclosure. Participants were 114 undergraduate students who indicated that a close friend or family member had previously disclosed a sexual victimization experience to them. The participants’ responses to that disclosure, personal sexual victimization history, and rape myth attitudes were assessed via a self-report. Results indicated that a history of victimization predicted increased emotionally supportive responses to disclosure. Lower rape myth acceptance predicted increased supportive responses (i.e., emotionally supporting the victim and aiding the victim) and decreased unsupportive responses (i.e., treating the victim differently after the abuse, distracting the victim from the abuse, and blaming the victim). These results have implications for prevention efforts and those working with sexual assault survivors.

Police Interviews of Sexual Assault Reporters: Do Attitudes Matter?

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Rich ◽  
Patrick Seffrin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Police Interviews ◽  
Criminal Justice Professionals ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Myth Acceptance

Sexual assault is underreported in the United States. Survivors are often reluctant to make police reports for various reasons; one is fear of revictimization by criminal justice professionals. Conversely, police officers often lack skills for interviewing crime victims. Posttraumatic stress reactions among victims can exacerbate the problem. Although some victims prefer female interviewers, it is not known whether they are more skilled. A sample of 429 police officers completed a written survey testing their rape myth acceptance and knowledge of how to interview rape reporters. A significant relationship between rape myth acceptance and interviewing skill was discovered. Although officer gender was related to interviewing skill, the effect was mediated by rape myth acceptance. Specific officer behaviors related to high rape myth acceptance were identified. Implications for selection of police to conduct victim interviews were discussed.

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