}

Research output:Contribution to journal ›Article ›peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Rape myth acceptance, victim blame attribution and Just World Beliefs: a rapid evidence assessment

AU - Russell, Kirsten J.

AU - Hand, Christopher J.

N1 - Acceptance from webpageAAM: 18m embargo

PY - 2017/11

Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - BackgroundRape is underreported, potentially because individuals self-blame and/or are blamed by others. Research predominantly illustrates male-perpetrated stranger-rape of females; thus, there may be a perception that rape-myth acceptance (RMA) and victim-blaming are most prevalent in males. The purpose of this rapid evidence assessment was to investigate the availability of high-quality research into the effects of Just World Beliefs, perpetrator/victim gender, and stranger- and acquaintance/marital-rape scenarios on victim-blaming and RMA.MethodsSeveral electronic databases were searched for empirical papers using terms including: ‘victim blame’, ‘rape myth acceptance’, ‘Just World Beliefs’, ‘type of rape’ and ‘gender’. Gough’s (2007) weight of evidence framework was used to assess quality prior to inclusion.FindingsStudies retained after filtering and quality assessment suggested that RMA was predictive of victim-blaming with both male and female ‘victims’. Rape-myth acceptance is more prevalent in males even in male ‘victim’ scenarios, and Just World Belief was positively associated with RMA. Greater victim-blaming was attributed in stranger- vs. acquaintance-rape scenarios.DiscussionThere are no absolute conclusions regarding the role of gender or situational factors and rape-supportive/victim-blaming attitudes. Further empirical research is required to understand the prevalence of RMA in perceptions of marital rape and, particularly, homosexual marital rape.

AB - BackgroundRape is underreported, potentially because individuals self-blame and/or are blamed by others. Research predominantly illustrates male-perpetrated stranger-rape of females; thus, there may be a perception that rape-myth acceptance (RMA) and victim-blaming are most prevalent in males. The purpose of this rapid evidence assessment was to investigate the availability of high-quality research into the effects of Just World Beliefs, perpetrator/victim gender, and stranger- and acquaintance/marital-rape scenarios on victim-blaming and RMA.MethodsSeveral electronic databases were searched for empirical papers using terms including: ‘victim blame’, ‘rape myth acceptance’, ‘Just World Beliefs’, ‘type of rape’ and ‘gender’. Gough’s (2007) weight of evidence framework was used to assess quality prior to inclusion.FindingsStudies retained after filtering and quality assessment suggested that RMA was predictive of victim-blaming with both male and female ‘victims’. Rape-myth acceptance is more prevalent in males even in male ‘victim’ scenarios, and Just World Belief was positively associated with RMA. Greater victim-blaming was attributed in stranger- vs. acquaintance-rape scenarios.DiscussionThere are no absolute conclusions regarding the role of gender or situational factors and rape-supportive/victim-blaming attitudes. Further empirical research is required to understand the prevalence of RMA in perceptions of marital rape and, particularly, homosexual marital rape.

KW - Just World Belief

KW - Perpetrator gender

KW - Rape myth acceptance

KW - Type of rape

KW - Victim blame

KW - Victim gender

U2 - 10.1016/j.avb.2017.10.008

DO - 10.1016/j.avb.2017.10.008

M3 - Article

SN - 1359-1789

VL - 37

SP - 153

EP - 160

JO - Aggression and Violent Behavior

JF - Aggression and Violent Behavior

ER -