The Effects of Obesity Myths on Perceptions of Sexual Assault Victims and Perpetrators’ Credibility

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niwako Yamawaki ◽  
Christina Riley ◽  
Claudia Rasmussen ◽  
Mary Cook
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
Blame Attribution ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Assault Victims

This study investigated the effects of obesity myths on blame attribution and the perceived credibility of both an alleged sexual assault victim and her perpetrator. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three sexual assault scenarios (in which either the victim or the perpetrator was described as obese and one in which both were described as obese) and responded to questions measuring the blame attribution and perceived the credibility of both individuals. A main effect of scenario was found on the perpetrator’s credibility, indicating that participants rated the obese perpetrator as more credible when the victim was obese in comparison with when the victim was nonobese. However, no main effect of scenario was found on the victim’s credibility and blame attribution, denoting that the victim’s or perpetrator’s weight did not influence participants’ perceptions of the victim’s credibility or blame attribution. The belief in obesity myths was the most significant predictor of victim blaming. However, differing patterns of the effects of obesity myths were found on the victim’s credibility and the perpetrator’s credibility. The belief in obesity myths was a significant predictor only when the victim was obese, whereas it was not a significant predictor in the scenarios where both the victim and the perpetrator were obese or the perpetrator was obese and the victim was nonobese. As for the perpetrator’s credibility, the belief of obesity myths was not a significant predictor. Instead, the scenario was a significant predictor. Implications of obesity-myth endorsement in relation to sexual assault are discussed.

Public Opinion About #MeToo Victims and Offenders: A Nationwide Experiment

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110548
Author(s):  
Luzi Shi
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Public Reporting ◽  
Factorial Survey ◽  
Punitive Attitudes ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Assault Victims

During the #MeToo movement, many sexual assault survivors are discredited because of their delay in disclosure or failure to report to the police. The current study investigates which factors influence public opinion towards sexual assault victims and offenders by analyzing data from a national factorial survey. Results show disclosing the offense immediately to the public, reporting to the police, and having a witness are positively related to punitive attitudes towards the offender, via increased perceived credibility of the victim. The results highlight the importance of understanding extralegal factors in shaping stereotypic views about sexual assault in the #MeToo era.

The impact of power and powerlessness on blaming the victim of sexual assault

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire R. Gravelin ◽  
Monica Biernat ◽  
Matthew Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Thought Listing ◽  
Power Prior ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Power And Powerlessness ◽  
The Impact

Sexual assault is often described as motivated by power, yet there is relatively little experimental research investigating the effect of power (and powerlessness) on interpretations of a sexual assault. Two studies manipulated participants’ feelings of power prior to a thought-listing task about sexual assault victims (Study 1) or an evaluation of a case of sexual assault (Study 2). Among men, feelings of powerlessness led to reduced victim blaming, while powerlessness tended to increase victim blaming among women (Study 2). These results indicate that powerlessness has different implications for men and women, increasing men’s ability to take the perspective of a victim of sexual assault, but increasing women’s sense of threat and defensiveness. Both studies support a default status explanation for men such that feelings of powerlessness—a state that deviates from men’s typical high-power “default” status in society—increase perspective taking and thereby reduce victim blame. Among women, however, powerlessness may trigger a defensive response, resulting in greater blaming.

Personological Orientation and Victim-Blaming Attributions in Sexual Assault Occurrences

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Coppolillo ◽  
Ed De St. Aubin ◽  
Eric Vandevoorde
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Victim Blaming

Qeirat Values and Victim Blaming in Iran: The Mediating Effect of Culture-Specific Gender Roles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Falahatpishe Baboli ◽  
Farzan Karimi-Malekabadi
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Moral Foundations ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
Dress Code ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Iranian Context

Sexual assaults are a social problem in Iran; however, psychological factors that predict perceptions of sexual assault remain largely unexamined. Here, we examine the relationship between moral concerns, culture-specific gender roles and victim blaming in sexual assault scenarios in Iranian culture. Relying on Moral Foundations Theory and recent theoretical developments in moral psychology in Iranian context, we examined the correlations between five moral foundations (Care, Fairness, Loyalty, Authority, Purity), a culture-specific set of values called Qeirat (which includes guarding and (over)protectiveness of female kin, romantic partners, broader family, and country), and victim blaming. In a community sample of Iranians (N = 411), we found Qeirat values to be highly correlated with victim blaming, and that this link was mediated by a number of culture-specific proscriptions about women’s roles and dress code (i.e., Haya). In a regression analysis with all moral foundations, Qeirat values, Haya, and religiosity as predictors of victim blaming, only Haya, religiosity, high Authority values, and low Care values were found to predict how strongly Iranian participants blamed victims of sexual assault scenarios.

scholarly journals 986. Improvement in Administration of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in the Emergency Department Following Sexual Assault

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S521-S522
Author(s):  
Jennifer R Silva-Nash ◽  
Stacie Bordelon ◽  
Ryan K Dare ◽  
Sherrie Searcy
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Nonoccupational post exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) following sexual assault can prevent HIV transmission. A standardized Emergency Department (ED) protocol for evaluation, treatment, and follow up for post assault victims was implemented to improve compliance with CDC nPEP guidelines. Methods A single-center observational study of post sexual assault patients before/after implementation of an ED nPEP protocol was conducted by comparing the appropriateness of prescriptions, labs, and necessary follow up. A standardized order-set based on CDC nPEP guidelines, with involvement of an HIV pharmacist and ID clinic, was implemented during the 2018-2019 academic year. Clinical data from pre-intervention period (07/2016-06/2017) was compared to post-intervention period (07/2018-08/2019) following a 1-year washout period. Results During the study, 147 post-sexual assault patients (59 Pre, 88 Post) were included. One hundred thirty-three (90.4%) were female, 68 (46.6%) were African American and 133 (90.4%) were candidates for nPEP. Median time to presentation following assault was 12.6 hours. nPEP was offered to 40 (67.8%) and 84 (95.5%) patients (P< 0.001) and ultimately prescribed to 29 (49.2%) and 71 (80.7%) patients (P< 0.001) in pre and post periods respectively. Renal function (37.3% vs 88.6%; P< 0.001), pregnancy (39.0% vs 79.6%; P< 0.001), syphilis (3.4% vs 89.8%; P< 0.001), hepatitis B (15.3% vs 95.5%; P< 0.001) and hepatitis C (27.1% vs 94.3%) screening occurred more frequently during the post period. Labratory, nPEP Prescription and Follow up Details for Patients Prescribed nPEP Conclusion The standardization of an nPEP ED protocol for sexual assault victims resulted in increased nPEP administration, appropriateness of prescription, screening for other sexually transmitted infectious and scheduling follow up care. While guideline compliance dramatically improved, further interventions are likely warranted in this vulnerable population. Disclosures Ryan K. Dare, MD, MS, Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc (Research Grant or Support)

Making the Call: College Students’ Legal Consciousness and Hypothetical Activation of Police for Sexual Assaults

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110211
Author(s):  
Trish Oberweis ◽  
Dayna Henry ◽  
Stacey Griner ◽  
Ekaterina Gorislavsky
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Contact ◽  
Legal Consciousness ◽  
Sexual Assault Prevention ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Willingness To Report ◽  
Assault Prevention

Research has identified the necessity of sexual assault victims to label their experience as criminal to initiate reporting. However, barriers exist in labeling uninvited sexual contact as criminal. This study examined college students’ assessments of whether eight nonconsensual behaviors met the legal definition of sexual assault, and whether such behaviors should be reported to police. Results indicated students acknowledged the nonconsensual behaviors as criminal; however, gaps were identified between awareness that the acts were criminal and willingness to report to police. Findings demonstrate a need for continued efforts for sexual assault prevention among college students.

Audit on management of sexual assault victims attending an integrated sexual health service in Coventry

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 911-914
Author(s):  
Billakanti Swarna Kumari ◽  
Shyamalie Bopitiya ◽  
Anne Bassinder ◽  
Satyajit Das
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Ethnic Origin ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Hiv Risk Assessment

The management of victims of sexual assault need a holistic approach. The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) has set up standards for the management of sexual assault victims attending Sexual Health Clinics. We audited the management of victims of sexual assault attending an integrated sexual health service against recommendations from the latest BASHH guidelines. We included the recommendations and implementations already in place following an earlier audit in 2013 using the same guideline. Sixty-seven individuals identified themselves as victims of sexual assault. Most were of white ethnic origin (78%), female (96%) and the commonest age group was 18–25 years (39%). We achieved the 100% target in recording the date of assault, offering baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, HIV risk assessment, offer of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV where applicable and offer of emergency contraception. We were below the 100% target for other categories but improved compared to the previous audit except in recording the time when the first dose of PEP for HIV was given. The BASHH guideline has 14 auditable standards, all with a target of 100%. Our audit cycle completed in three years showed considerable improvement in achieving the standards in the management of Sexual Assault Victims. We hope this will encourage other centres audit their practice against the standards set by BASHH.

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