Effects of Rape Myths on Students' Perceptions of Sexual Assault

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Curtiss ◽  
Jeanne B. Funk ◽  
Alexander M. Czopp
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths

scholarly journals Ched Evans, rape myths and Medusa's gaze: a story of mirrors and windows

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-468
Author(s):  
David Gurnham
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Social World ◽  
Male Gaze ◽  
Visual Metaphor ◽  
Critical Scholarship ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Court Of Appeal

AbstractThis paper analyses the visualisation of rape and sexual assault in legal and scholarly language. It begins with a critique of the Court of Appeal ruling inR v. Evans (Chedwyn)and its forensic examination of the details of a female rape complainant's consensual sexual activity with other men. The case is analysed in light of a visual metaphor used by Ellison and Munro to describe the removal of popular misconceptions about rape. The paper contextualises that discussion with reference to the idea of the male gaze and its affirmation of a phallocentric cultural and social world in which the objectification of female difference is entrenched. The paper finally challenges that assessment, however, sketching an alternative approach to visual-critical scholarship that embraces interdisciplinarity and a literary sensibility to break (or at least to loosen) the association between the prurient eye of the male voyeur and the criminal justice gaze.

scholarly journals (DE)CONSTRUCTING THE “PERFECT RAPE VICTIM”: AN ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SURVIVOR DISCOURSES IN THE CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanshika Dhawan ◽  
Marty Fink
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Spousal Rape ◽  
Definition Of

The Canadian criminal justice system has seen many progressive changes to the way sexual assault cases are investigated and prosecuted over the past several decades. From the acknowledgement of spousal rape to the introduction of rape shield provisions, the law has seemingly changed to broaden the definition of what is considered a sexual assault. However, sexually-based offences are still vastly underreported and have the lowest attrition rates of indictable offences. Larger societal discourses around sexual assault and survivor-hood consist largely of rape myths, such as the idea that “real rape” only occurs when an “undeserving” woman is sexually assaulted by a “stranger in the dark.” These discourses permeate the Canadian criminal justice system, negatively influencing the experience of survivors who do not fit the narrow mould “real rape.” Drawing from Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Stuart Hall’s Discursive Approach, this Major Research Paper traces the effects of these discourses on constructions of sexual assault and survivor-hood in the legal system. Through a theoretical analysis of existing literature on the experiences of sexual assault survivors, this paper also examines the ways in which the language we use to describe sexual assault serves to cement rape myths and invalidate survivor experiences in every stage of the Canadian criminal justice system.

Supporting Survivors: The Roles of Rape Myths and Feminism in University Resident Assistants’ Response to Sexual Assault Disclosure Scenarios

Sex Roles ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 206-218
Author(s):  
Kathryn J. Holland ◽  
Amber M. Gustafson ◽  
Lilia M. Cortina ◽  
Allison E. Cipriano
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Resident Assistants

Prejudice Unveiled: The Niqab in Court–

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 381-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Chambers ◽  
Jen Roth
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Muslim Woman ◽  
Supreme Court Of Canada ◽  
The Public ◽  
Equality Rights ◽  
Considerable Debate ◽  
The Right ◽  
Islamic Extremism

Abstract The public use of the niqab and other religious face coverings is a source of considerable debate in Western nations. The veiled Muslim woman is often constructed as “other,” reviled as backward, represented as in need of rescue, or associated with Islamic extremism. Despite widespread racist attitudes, officially, Canadians purport to support multiculturalism and the equality of all people under the law as guaranteed under section 15 of the Charter. In a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision, R v NS, the Court had to consider the right of a Muslim woman to wear her niqab while testifying in a sexual assault trial. In “balancing” the conflict between the religious rights of NS and the section 7 rights of the accused to a full and fair defense, the Court ignored the security of the person and equality rights of NS. The Court instead legitimated anti-Muslim stereotypes and reiterated rape myths that had ostensibly been overturned.

scholarly journals How Rape Myths Are Used and Challenged in Rape and Sexual Assault Trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Smith ◽  
Tina Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths

11. Sexual offences

2021 ◽  
pp. 468-517
Author(s):  
Michael J. Allen ◽  
Ian Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Sex Offences ◽  
The Law ◽  
Context Features

Course-focused and contextual, Criminal Law provides a succinct overview of the key areas on the law curriculum balanced with thought-provoking contextual discussion. This chapter discusses the main sexual offences including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, offences against children, familial sex offences, offences against persons with a mental disorder, and preparatory offences. The chapter situates the offence of rape in particular in the context of broader discussions about consent and trial by jury. Two of ‘The law in context’ features examine the prevalence of ‘rape myths’ that may affect how jurors decide whether a man has committed rape and the procedural issues that affect the success of rape prosecutions.

Real men can't get raped: an examination of gendered rape myths and sexual assault among undergraduates

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina L. Reitz-Krueger ◽  
Sadie J. Mummert ◽  
Sara M. Troupe
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Relative Neglect ◽  
Male Rape Myths

Purpose While awareness of sexual assaults on college campuses has increased, the majority of efforts to address it are focused on female victims. The relative neglect of male victims may be due in part to problematic rape myths that suggest men cannot be sexually assaulted, especially by women. The purpose of this paper is to compare rates of different types of sexual assault between male and female undergraduates, and explore the relationship between acceptance of traditional rape myths focused on female victims, and rape myths surrounding male victims. Design/methodology/approach Students at a mid-sized university in Pennsylvania (n=526) answered an online questionnaire about their own experiences of sexual assault since coming to college, as well as their endorsement of male and female rape myths. Findings While women experienced more sexual assault overall, men were just as likely to have experienced rape (i.e. forced penetration) or attempted rape. Acceptance of male and female rape myths was significantly correlated and men were more likely than women to endorse both. Participants were also more likely to endorse female than male rape myths. Research limitations/implications By analyzing sexual assaults in terms of distinct behaviors instead of one composite score, the authors can get a more nuanced picture of how men and women experience assault. Practical implications Campus-based efforts to address sexual assault need to be aware that male students also experience assault and that myths surrounding men as victims may impede their ability to access services. Originality/value This paper contributes to our knowledge of a relatively understudied topic: undergraduate male victims of sexual assault.

Revictimization and Recovery From Sexual Assault: Implications for Health Professionals

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania Ranjbar ◽  
Susan A. Speer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Use Of Health Services

Twenty-seven adult females’ responses from an online qualitative questionnaire were analyzed to explore their views on being recovered from an experience of sexual assault, and identify aspects of their postassault health service encounters that facilitated or impeded their recovery process. Being recovered involved accepting the experience, being freed from negative states, regaining control and trust, and receiving help from and being believed by others. Participants predominantly reported negative experiences with health services. Factors perceived as impeding the recovery process include health professionals’ inexperience in dealing with survivors of sexual assault, adhering to rape myths and stereotypes, and disrespectful or inconsiderate treatment of survivors. We argue that these postassault negative experiences revictimized survivors. Addressing these factors may reduce revictimization, facilitate recovery, and decrease assaulted women’s long-term use of health services.

scholarly journals Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Substance Use, Victim Status Awareness, and Barriers to Reporting

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Schwarz ◽  
Sandy Gibson ◽  
Carolynne Lewis-Arévalo
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Victim Status ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Potential Benefits

Background: Despite the high incidence of estimated sexual assault on college campuses, underreporting is substantial and perpetuated by a culture of rape myths that are pervasive across society in general and college campuses.Aim: The aim of this study was to: examine college student awareness of their own sexual assault victimization status, barriers to reporting, and the prevalence of substance use in sexual assault.Method: This was a cross-sectional mixed-method survey sent to a universal sample of college students from two neighboring institutions of higher education (N=2,724).Results: Results from this survey demonstrated a lack of understanding of what constitutes sexual assault, primarily attributed to the normalization of assault and rape myths. Regardless of victim status awareness, those who were victimized were significantly more likely to use higher levels of alcohol than non-victims, and were less likely to identify their victimization as sexual assault, highlighting the need for college students to understand that alcohol-involved sexual assault is still sexual assault.Conclusions: Overwhelmingly, participants cited the potential consequences as far greater than any potential benefits to reporting sexual assault. Confusion about what constitutes sexual assault and uncertainty of available resources were also recognized as contributing factors in underreporting.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Sexual Assault: Effects of Victim Physiological Arousal and Victim Gender on Jurors’ Decisions

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Starosta ◽  
Regina A. Schuller
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Physiological Arousal ◽  
Juror Decision Making ◽  
Juror Bias ◽  
Female Victim ◽  
Male Victim ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Victim Gender

Limited research has assessed juror decision making in cases of female perpetrated sexual assault and the role played by factors such as the victim’s gender, physiological arousal, and participant’s gender in the decision making process. Participants (n = 215) were presented with one of four trial vignettes that varied the perpetrator and victim’s gender and victim’s physiological arousal. The impact of these variables was examined on guilty verdicts rendered, credibility, and blameworthiness of the victim and accused. Results demonstrate that the male victim was blamed more than the female victim. Further, male participants viewed the male victim to be less credible than the female victim. Lastly, male participants viewed the accused to be more credible when the victim was depicted as a male with signs of physiological arousal. The results reveal the disadvantages a male victim of female perpetrated sexual assault may face if he pursues his sexual assault at trial. Keywords: sexual assault, rape myths, juror bias, gender, physiological arousal

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