Perceptions of, and Assistance Provided to, a Hypothetical Rape Victim: Differences Between Rape Disclosure Recipients and Nonrecipients

Abstract

Objective Undergraduate rape disclosure recipients and nonrecipients’ sociodemographic and life experience variables, attitudes towards rape and responses to a hypothetical rape disclosure were compared to determine differences between them. Participants One-hundred-ninety-two undergraduates at three universities participated in this online survey between November 2011 – April 2012. Methods Participants reported on their rape myth acceptance (RMA) and personal direct and indirect (i.e., disclosure receipt) experiences with sexual assault. Participants also responded to a hypothetical rape disclosure. Results Disclosure recipients were more likely to report a victimization history, and less confusion and perceived ineffectiveness in helping the hypothetical victim. RMA and nonrecipient status predicted perceived victim responsibility; these variables and childhood victimization predicted confusion about helping. RMA also predicted perceived ineffectiveness of one’s helping behaviors. Victimization history and female gender predicted victim empathy. Conclusions These findings can inform sexual assault-related programming for undergraduates through the provision of targeted assistance and corrective information.

Sexual violence in the college population: a systematic review of disclosure and campus resources and services

“…Within studies that did include males, this percentage ranged from 20·8% (Paul et al . )–51% (Garcia et al . ); the majority of studies were comprised of around 30–40% males.…”

Rape Crimes Reviewed: The Role of Observer Variables in Female Victim Blaming

“…Likewise, people with rape experience were proven to be more empathetic towards a victim than those without personal victimization (Osman, 2011(Osman, , 2014Smith & Frieze, 2003). Women with victimization experience were shown to be more empathetic towards a female victim (Osman, 2011(Osman, , 2014Paul et al, 2014), but no gendered empathic differences were found for victimized men (Osman, 2011). Osman (2014 further reported that victimized women are more empathetic in acquaintance rape (but not in stranger rape).…”

“…Nonetheless, a large number of studies suggests that men are more likely to engage in victim blaming (e.g., Anderson & Lyons, 2005;Bendixen, Henriksen, & Nøstdahl, 2014;Black & Gold, 2008;Durán, Moya, Megías, & Viki, 2010;Ferrão, Gonçalves, Giger, & Parreira, in press;Gölge et al, 2003;Grubb & Harrower, 2009;Harrison, Howerton, Secarea, & Nguyen, 2008;Mitchell, Angelone, Kohlberger, & Hirschman, 2009;Paul, Kehn, Gray, & Salapska-Gelleri, 2014;Schneider, Mori, Lambert, & Wong, 2009;Strömwall, Landström, & Alfredsson, 2014;Yamawaki & Tschanz, 2005). …”

“…Higher rape myth endorsement was also shown to predict increased female victim blaming (e.g., Basow & Minieri, 2011;Bendixen et al, 2014;Cohn et al, 2009;Earnshaw, Pitpitan, & Chaudoir, 2011;Frese et al, 2004;Gerger et al, 2007;Grubb & Tarn, 2012;Hammond et al, 2011;Mason, Riger, & Foley, 2004;Newcombe et al, 2008;Paul et al, 2014). Men are thought to accept rape myths so as to justify sexual violence, whilst women endorse them to reject personal vulnerability to rape (Johnson, Kuck, & Schander, 1997).…”

“…One of the most pivotal findings to emerge was the existence of gender differences in expressing empathy, since women seem to express more empathy towards rape victims (Anastasio & Costa, 2004;Diehl et al, 2014;George & Martínez, 2002;Mellor, Fung, & Mammat, 2012;Miller, Amacker, & King, 2011;Osman, 2011Osman, , 2014Paul et al, 2014;Sakallı-Uğurlu et al, 2007;Smith & Frieze, 2003) and men towards perpetrators (Ferrão et al, 2013;Mellor et al, 2012;Osman, 2011;Sakallı-Uğurlu et al, 2007;Smith & Frieze, 2003). Rape victim empathy has also been shown to be negatively related to rape myth acceptance (Forbes, Adams-Curtis, Pakalka, & White, 2006;Gerger et al, 2007;Jimenez & Abreu, 2003;Mason et al, 2004;Miller et al, 2011).…”