scholarly journals Negative Third-Party Reactions to Male and Female Victims of Rape: The Influence of Harm and Normativity Concerns

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052091456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Mulder ◽  
Gerd Bohner
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Secondary Victimization ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Two Measures

Male and female victims of sexual violence frequently experience secondary victimization in the form of victim blame and other negative reactions by their social surroundings. However, it remains unclear whether these negative reactions differ from each other, and what mechanisms underlie negative reactions toward victims. In one laboratory study ( N = 132) and one online study ( N = 421), the authors assessed participants’ reactions to male and female victims, and whether different (moral) concerns underlay these reactions. The reactions addressed included positive and negative emotions, behavioral and characterological blame, explicit and implicit derogation, and two measures of distancing. It was hypothesized that male victimization would evoke different types of (negative) reactions compared with female victimization, and that normative concerns would predict a greater proportion of the variance of reactions to male victims than female victims. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were conducted to test whether reactions to male and female (non-)victims differed. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the influence of gender traditionality, homonegativity, as well as binding and individualizing moral values on participants’ reactions. Results revealed that participants consistently reacted more negatively to victims than to nonvictims, and more so to male than to female targets. Binding values were a regular predictor of negative reactions to victims, whereas they predicted positive reactions to nonvictims. The hypothesis that different mechanisms underlie reactions to male versus female victims was not supported. The discussion addresses implications of this research for interventions targeting secondary victimization and for future research investigating social reactions to victims of sexual violence. It also addresses limitations of the current research and considerations of diversity.

A feminist reflection on male victims of conflict-related sexual violence

2020 ◽  
pp. 135050682090498
Author(s):  
Louise du Toit ◽  
Elisabet le Roux
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Patriarchal Ideology ◽  
The World ◽  
The One

The authors identify a pervasive tendency, especially in the world of development and humanitarian response, to hierarchize or prioritize certain types of victims of sexual violence in armed conflict over others. Within this broader context, they focus on what a considered feminist acknowledgement of male victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) should look like. On the one hand, they emphasize that one and the same patriarchal template is used to humiliate and shame male and female victims of sexual violence alike. On the other, they urge that in light of the pervasiveness of patriarchal ideology and its harmful and wide-reaching social effects, the time is not yet ripe to endorse a gender-blind approach to CRSV.

scholarly journals The Feminizing Effect of Sexual Violence in Third-Party Perceptions of Male and Female Victims

Sex Roles ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Mulder ◽  
Antony Pemberton ◽  
Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims

Prevalence and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence in Canada as Measured by the National Victimization Survey

Partner Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lysova ◽  
Eugene Emeka Dim ◽  
Donald Dutton
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Controlling Behaviors

National victimization surveys that conceptualize intimate partner violence (IPV) as crime can contribute to a better understanding of the most severe forms of victimization in the intimate partner relationship. Based on the 2014 Canadian General Social Survey on Victimization, this study examined the prevalence of victimization resulted from physical and/or sexual IPV, controlling behaviors and also consequences of IPV for both men and women in a sample representative of the Canadian population. Given the paucity of research on male victims of IPV at the national population level, this article specifically discussed the experiences of men who reported violence perpetrated by their female intimate partners. Results showed that 2.9% of men and 1.7% of women reported experiencing physical and/or sexual IPV in their current relationships in the last 5 years. In addition, 35% of male and 34% of female victims of IPV experienced high controlling behaviors—the most severe type of abuse known as intimate terrorism. Moreover, 22% of male victims and 19% of female victims of IPV were found to have experienced severe physical violence along with high controlling behaviors. Although female victims significantly more often than male victims reported the injuries and short-term emotional effects of IPV (e.g., fear, depression, anger), there was no significant difference in the experience of the most long-term effects of spousal trauma—posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms. This article argues that future research should explain the increased gap in reporting of the IPV victimization among men compared to women.

scholarly journals Comparing Help-Seeking Behavior of Male and Female Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Content Analysis of a Hotline

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Young ◽  
Jana A. Pruett ◽  
Marianna L. Colvin
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Help Seeking Behavior ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Seeking Behavior

This content analysis examines written documentation of telephone calls to a regional sexual assault hotline over a 5-year period. All male callers identified as primary victims were selected for analysis ( n = 58) and a corresponding sample of female primary victims ( n = 58) were randomly selected for comparison to better understand the help-seeking behavior of sexual assault survivors and inform services accordingly. A summative content analysis revealed significant contrasting themes between male and female victims, including females significantly receiving more referrals and males accessing the hotline to tell their experience of being sexually assaulted due to perceived limited support. Implications for training, practice, and future research are discussed.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence in the Netherlands, the Risk of Revictimization and Pregnancy: Results From a National Population Survey

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stans de Haas ◽  
Willy van Berlo ◽  
Floor Bakker ◽  
Ine Vanwesenbeeck
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
International Body ◽  
Experienced Adult

Prevalence figures on sexual violence among a representative sample of both men and women were not yet available for the Netherlands. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the prevalence of sexual violence in the Netherlands and to add these figures to the international body of knowledge. Experiences of sexual violence during lifetime, before the age of 16 and in the year before the start of the study were measured. In addition, types of sexual violence were examined, as were the characteristics of the perpetrators. Lastly, revictimization and pregnancy as a result of rape experiences among the victims were investigated. Data were generated from a population survey on sexual health. The sample consisted of more than 6,000 men and women between the age of 15 and 70 years old. Prevalence rates as high as 21% for men and 56% for women were found. Fifty percent of the female victims and 30% of the male victims of child sexual abuse had experienced adult victimization. Of the female rape victims, 7% became pregnant as a consequence of rape. In the Netherlands, as elsewhere, the prevention of sexual violence should be prioritized.

Impact of Dating Violence on Male and Female College Students

Partner Abuse ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Amanor-Boadu ◽  
Sandra M. Stith ◽  
Marjorie Strachman Miller ◽  
Joshua Cook ◽  
Lauren Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Dating Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Severe Injury ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Violence Victimization

This study examined gender differences in impacts of dating violence (specifically minor and severe physical injury, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], problems with alcohol, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction) using a sample of 305 male and 363 female undergraduate students. Multiple linear regression models were used to test for the effects of dating violence victimization on the eight outcome variables while controlling for the effects of perpetration and psychological victimization. Results indicated that physical violence victimization did not impact problems with alcohol, self-esteem, or relationship satisfaction for either males or females. However, being a victim of minor violence significantly increased the levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and being a victim of severe violence significantly increased minor and severe injury. Different gender effects were seen in anxiety and PTSD scores where male victims scored higher than male nonvictims, but female victims did not differ significantly from female nonvictims and in minor and severe injury where both male and female victims scored higher than nonvictims, but the difference between the two groups was greater for men on the severe injury subscale and greater for women on the minor injury subscale. Overall, results of our analyses indicate that both male and female victims of dating violence experience physical and mental health consequences and, on the whole, do not support previous findings that would suggest that female victims suffer a greater impact than male victims do.

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.

The Impact and Consequences of Partner Abuse on Partners

Partner Abuse ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Lawrence ◽  
Rosaura Orengo-Aguayo ◽  
Amie Langer ◽  
Rebecca L. Brock
Keyword(s):  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Physical Victimization ◽  
The Impact

This study represents a comprehensive review and critique of 122 empirical articles and 10 review articles on the psychological and physical consequences of psychological and physical abuse on partners and yielded several strong and consistent conclusions. Victims of psychological and physical abuse experience more physical injuries, poorer physical functioning and health outcomes, higher rates of psychological symptoms and disorders, and poorer cognitive functioning compared to nonvictims. These findings were consistent regardless of the nature of the sample and, with some exceptions, generally greater for female victims compared to male victims. Moreover, psychological victimization appears to be at least as strongly related to victims’ psychological consequences as is physical victimization. There was a relative dearth of research examining the consequences of psychological abuse for male victims, and the results of those studies have been mixed. Research examining sex differences yields strong and consistent evidence that physical violence has more deleterious consequences for women overall. However, the severity of the physical abuse seems to moderate differences in injury rates. In addition to these known findings from past reviews, this study generated several novel findings. First, there is a small but critical group of studies demonstrating the effects of abuse on health behaviors. Second, physical victimization has serious economic and social consequences for victims and society at large. Third, the consequences of abuse were significantly worse for female victims who were of low income, ethnic minorities, and/or unemployed. In the second section of this article, we critique the existing literature in terms of the content of the research, as well as on conceptual and methodological grounds. In the third section we offer specific recommendations for future research and intervention efforts.

Blame Attributions Against Heterosexual Male Victims of Sexual Coercion: Effects of Gender, Social Influence, and Perceptions of Distress

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052096715
Author(s):  
Ashley K. H. Catton ◽  
Martin J. Dorahy
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Court Case ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Blame Attributions ◽  
Heterosexual Male ◽  
Shame Proneness ◽  
Main Effects

If heterosexual male victims had been more active in the #MeToo movement, how might they have been judged? Although the #MeToo movement has been regarded as an historic milestone for women who were victimized by men in positions of power, participation in the movement by male victims has been noticeably absent. Research indicates that victims may avoid disclosure if they anticipate negative social reactions, and male victims may attract greater levels of victim blaming than female victims, particularly if their perpetrator was female. The current study investigated attributions of victim blame against a fictional heterosexual male in a between-subjects vignette design. Perpetrator gender and their social influence were manipulated in a sample of 208 college students. Results did not support the hypothesized main effects of perpetrator gender or social influence. Greater blame attributions were made against victims of a male perpetrator compared to one of an unspecified gender. Male participants attributed greater blame than females, and the relationship between shame proneness and blame was moderated by participant gender, males experiencing higher levels of shame engaged in less victim blame. Blame increased when participants believed the court case to be more distressing than the victimizing act. Results support the male rape myth framework, which posits that beliefs about a male victim’s experience of his own violation, particularly whether he experienced distress or pleasure, are related to gendered norms of masculinity, which include normative traits of toughness, dominance, and high sexual performance. Implications on the role of gender as a barrier to disclosure by male victims are discussed.

scholarly journals The Consequences of Alcohol-Involved Sexual Victimization in Male and Female College Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-143
Author(s):  
Ivy-Lee L. Kehayes ◽  
Amanda Hudson ◽  
Kara Thompson ◽  
Christine Wekerle ◽  
Heather Stuart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
First Year ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Traumatic Distress ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sexually Victimized

Alcohol intoxication is often involved for both victims and perpetrators of sexual victimization. Yet, alcohol-involved sexual victimization research has mainly focused on female victims, excluding male victims. The current study addresses gaps in the literature by focusing on sex differences in the emotional harms (anxiety and depression symptomatology) experienced by sexual victimization victims when either the perpetrator or victim was drinking. Five-hundred-and-ten undergraduate drinkers (153 male; 357 female) participated. Models included two dichotomized predictors that occurred during participants’ first year of university (sexually victimized when the victim was drinking, sexually victimized by someone who was drinking), and two emotional outcomes (anxiety, depression). Age was controlled in all path analyses and sex was examined as a moderator. When predictors were examined in separate models, both predictors were associated with increased anxiety but not depression. These effects were significantly stronger among men. When both predictors were entered simultaneously, individuals who were victimized by someone drinking displayed increased anxiety, and this relationship was stronger among men than women victims. Being victimized when drinking was no longer associated with anxiety, consistent with prior findings that post-traumatic distress may be minimized when a trauma occurs while the victim is intoxicated. Results highlight the impact sexual victimization can have for both male and female victims, and point to the need for evidence-based policies to prevent emotional second-hand alcohol harms among male and female students alike.

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