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.

Blame Attributions of Victims and Perpetrators: Effects of Victim Gender, Perpetrator Gender, and Relationship

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin E. Ayala ◽  
Brandy Kotary ◽  
Maria Hetz
Keyword(s):  
Victim Blame ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Women's College ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Blame Attributions ◽  
Male Perpetrators ◽  
Female Perpetrators ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perpetrator Blame ◽  
Victim Gender

Although research has been conducted on rape myth acceptance (RMA) and other factors associated with attribution formation, researchers have not yet determined how the combination of such factors simultaneously affects levels of victim blame and perpetrator blame. The current investigation recruited 221 students from an all-women’s college to examine differences in blame attributions across RMA, victim gender, and perpetrator gender, and the relationship between the two parties (i.e., stranger vs. acquaintance). Results suggested that RMA, victim gender, and perpetrator gender account for a significant amount of variance in blame attributions for both victims and perpetrators. In sum, victim blame with female perpetrators was relatively consistent across levels of RMA, but increased substantially for male perpetrators as individuals endorsed higher levels of RMA. Perpetrator blame, however, was highest with male perpetrators when individuals endorsed low levels of RMA and lowest for male perpetrators when individuals endorsed relatively higher levels of RMA. Findings demonstrate the continued influence of RMA on blame attributions for both victims and perpetrators, and the stigma faced by male victims. More research is needed on the differing attributions of male and female victims and perpetrators, as well as differing attributions based on type of relationship. Such research will lead to a better and more thorough understanding of sexual assault and rape.

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.

Male and Female Sexual Victimization in Dating Relationships: Gender Differences in Coercion Techniques and Outcomes

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K. Waldner-Haugrud ◽  
Brian Magruder
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Dating Relationships ◽  
Physical Force ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Unwanted Sexual Behavior

Previous research on dating sexual coercion defines females as victims and males as perpetrators. This study expands on a trend to include male victims of sexual coercion in order to contrast their experiences with female victims. Results from 422 Midwestern, college students reveal a phenomenal amount of sexual coercion is occurring. Although women report more victimization, both males and females in the study reported coercion resulting in sexual behaviors ranging from kissing to intercourse. Coercive tactics targeted in this study included: intoxication, blackmail, lies, false promises, guilt, threats to end the relationship, persistent touching, being held down, detainment, threat of physical force, use of force, and use of a weapon. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that women were more likely to experience unwanted sexual behavior when the following coercive tactics were used: detainment, persistent touching, lies, and being held down. Men were more likely to report unwanted sexual behavior ranging from kissing to intercourse when female dates used blackmail or a weapon. Low frequency of the weapon item renders this finding less significant. Chi-square results reveal a pattern of coercing women into more extreme behaviors, such as intercourse, while men report coercion ending in milder sexual behaviors, such as unwanted kissing or touching.

Perceptions of Common Rape: How Rape Myth Acceptance, Victim Gender, and Victim Resistance Affect Victim and Perpetrator Blame Attributions in Party Rape and Date Rape

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110680
Author(s):  
Suzanne St. George
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Date Rape ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Blame Attributions ◽  
Victim Resistance ◽  
Perpetrator Blame ◽  
Victim Gender

Among rape perception studies, common types of male rape remain understudied. Using a randomized vignette design, I sampled 622 college students from a large Southwestern university to examine how victim gender and victim resistance influence blame attributions in party rape and date rape. Results revealed important interactions between victim gender, victim resistance, and rape type. Among other effects, resistance only affected victim blame in date rapes involving male victims. Results indicated that how respondents perceive victim and perpetrator responsibility, and which factors influence these perceptions, vary across rape type and victim gender. Implications for the rape perception literature are discussed.

scholarly journals Victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in daily routines in Mexico

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Elena Ávila ◽  
Belén Martínez-Ferrer ◽  
Alejandro Vera ◽  
Alejandro Bahena ◽  
Gonzalo Musitu
Keyword(s):  
Public Security ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
The Past ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
High Crime

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationships between victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in routines. METHODS The 8,170 subjects of both sexes (49.9% women and 50.1% men) aged between 12 and 60 years, selected from a proportional stratified sampling, participated in this study. The measuring instrument was an adaptation of the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security. Chi-square tests were performed. RESULTS The results show significant differences on victimization and sex regarding perception of insecurity, restrictions on everyday activities, and protection measures. 13.1% of those interviewed claimed to have been victims of a crime in the past 12 months. 52.7% of women considered their municipality as unsafe or very unsafe. In the case of men, this percentage was 58.2%. Female victims reported significant restrictions in everyday activities when compared to non-victims. In relation to men, the percentage of victims with a high restriction of activities was higher in male victims than non-victims. In the group of victimized women, the segment of women who opted for increased measures of protection against crime was larger than expected, while those of non-victims who took less protective measures was lower than expected. These same results were observed in the group of men. CONCLUSIONS The experience of victimization implies a greater perception of insecurity. However, the climate of insecurity is widespread in a large number of citizens. Gender differences in a high-crime environment show the importance of investigating in depth the roles of both genders in the perception of insecurity and changes in routines.

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.

Exploring factors affecting attitudes towards rape survivors: the role of sexuality and religiosity

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
Beth Rimmer ◽  
Philip Birch
Keyword(s):  
Rape Myths ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Social Correlates ◽  
Rape Survivors ◽  
Blame Attributions ◽  
Males And Females

Purpose Contemporaneously, the crime of rape has experienced an increase in reporting. The majority of rape survivors continue to experience, however, extensive victimisation due to biased attitudes held by many people and organisations within the general population. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In a quantitative study with a sample of 176 participants, this research aimed to explore sexuality and religiosity as factors that affect attitudes towards survivors of rape. Findings Results indicated that negative attitudes towards rape survivors could be predicted by rape myth acceptance. While the sexuality of the victim affected attitudes towards rape survivors and negative attitudes towards survivors were also found to be predicted by high religiosity scores, analyses concluded that both males and females perceived gay male victims with more negative attitudes in comparison to lesbian rape survivors. Male participants demonstrated, overall, more negative attitudes towards rape survivors than their female counterparts. In sum, sexuality and religiosity were concluded to be crucial factors in explaining blame attributions. Practical implications This study indicates: (1) the effect of social correlates other than gender on rape myths; (2) the effect sexuality has on the perception of rape myths; and (3) the effect religiosity has on the perception of rape myths. This study also reveals implications for the reporting, prosecution and conviction of rape cases that may be subject to bias and discrimination due to victim characteristics other than gender. Originality/value Attitudes towards rape survivors based on social correlates other than gender have received little attention within existing literature and research. This paper adds to this discussion by considering the affects of sexuality and religiosity which have implications for the reporting of such a crime.

scholarly journals Why Women Are Blamed for Being Sexually Harassed: The Effects of Empathy for Female Victims and Male Perpetrators

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Bongiorno ◽  
Chloe Langbroek ◽  
Paul G. Bain ◽  
Michelle Ting ◽  
Michelle K. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
University Students ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
Female Victim ◽  
Victim Empathy ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Vignette Study ◽  
The Social ◽  
Male Perpetrator

The #MeToo movement has highlighted the widespread problem of men’s sexual harassment of women. Women are typically reluctant to make a sexual-harassment complaint and often encounter victim-blaming attitudes when they do, especially from men. Informed by the social identity perspective, two experiments examined the influence of empathy—both for women who are sexually harassed and for male harassers—on men’s and women’s propensity to blame victims. In Study 1, university students ( N = 97) responded to a vignette describing a male student’s harassment of a female student. Men blamed the victim more than women, which was explained by their greater empathy for the male perpetrator but not lesser empathy for the female victim. Using the same vignette, Study 2 asked university students ( N = 135) to take either the male perpetrator’s or the female victim’s perspective. Regardless of participant gender, participants who took the male-perpetrator’s perspective versus the female-victim’s perspective reported greater victim blame, and this was explained by their greater empathy for the male perpetrator and lesser empathy for the female victim. Together, the findings provide evidence to suggest that male-perpetrator empathy may be equally or more important than female-victim empathy for explaining victim blame for sexual harassment. Implications for social change, including policies to limit the effects of male-perpetrator empathy when responding to sexual-harassment complaints are discussed. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319868730

scholarly journals Attributions of victim responsibility in revenge pornography

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Gavin ◽  
Adrian J. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Female Victim ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Male Victim ◽  
Female Perpetrator ◽  
Victim Responsibility ◽  
Male Perpetrator

Purpose Revenge pornography is a growing risk among adolescents and young adults. Often stemming from sexting, some victims of revenge pornography report experiencing victim-blame similar to that accompanying the reporting of rape. The purpose of this paper is to explore the assumptions that underlie attributions of victim-blame, with a focus on perpetrator and victim responsibility, as well as gendered assumptions surrounding sexting. Design/methodology/approach A total of 222 UK university students (111 male, 111 females) read one of two versions of a hypothetical revenge pornography scenario, one involving a male victim of a female perpetrator, the other a female victim of a male perpetrator. They then responded to an open-ended question regarding responsibility. Findings Qualitative content analysis of these responses identified three inter-related themes: the victim’s behaviour, mitigating victim responsibility and minimising the behaviour. Social implications The majority of participants in this study attributed at least some responsibility to the victims of revenge pornography depicted in the scenarios. Sex of the victim played a less important role than assumptions around sexting. Originality/value The study suggests that victim-blame is linked to the consent implied by sharing intimate images with a partner, but is also mitigated by the normative nature of this relationship practice. There was some evidence that the experience of male victims of revenge pornography is trivialised. These findings have implications for e-safety and victim support.

ATTRIBUTIONS FOR BLAME AND RESPONSIBILITY AMONG FEMALE INCEST VICTIMS

1990 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Carson Heath ◽  
Hugh Donnan ◽  
Gerald W. Halpin
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Blame Attributions ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Incest Victims ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Attributions concerning blame and responsibility for incest were assessed prior to therapy among 40 female victims. Also, relationships between causal attributions and emotional distress were investigated. Assessments of blame as attributed to “offender”, “victim”, “society”, and “situation” were obtained and correlated with measures of anxiety, depression, and hostility. Beliefs about responsibility for resolution of the incest problem were assessed and delineated also. An ANOVA on blame scores revealed a significant main effect (F = 78.62, df = 3, 117 p < .0001). Comparison procedures indicated the victims blamed the offender (p < .01) more than society, the situation, or the victim. However, there was no difference between societal and situational blame. Society and the situation were blamed (p < .01) more than the victim. No significant correlations between the blame attributions and distress levels were found. Victims' beliefs concerning responsibility for resolution of the incest problem were analyzed. An ANOVA performed on “offender”, “victim”, “society”, and “situational” responsibility items did not yield a significant main effect.

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