Understanding attribution of blame in cases of rape: An analysis of participant gender, type of rape and perceived similarity to the victim

By Amy E. Grubb, Julia Harrower. 2009

189 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Abstract This study examined a variety of factors that may influence attributions towards rape victims. A total of 156 participants completed a questionnaire, which included a measure of attitudes towards rape victims and a vignette depicting one of three rape scenarios (a stranger rape, date rape and seduction rape). Participants rated the extent to which they blamed the rape victim as well as the degree to which they identified with the victim and perpetrator. Results indicated that male participants blamed the victim to a greater extent than did female participants, with participants consistently attributing most blame to the victim in the seduction rape scenario, then the date rape scenario, and finally the stranger rape scenario. Perceptions of similarity to the rape victim and perpetrator were correlated negatively with attributions of blame. These findings have important implications for juror selection, jury decision-making and attempts to improve the conviction rate in rape cases.

Subfields: Gender Studies, Law

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/66bf8d0675aed62d1b3773269f2581fa0d1100b8

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Citations in the corpus

Rape myth acceptance, victim blame attribution and Just World Beliefs: A rapid evidence assessment. (2017, background): “Obtaining accurate statistics regarding sexual offences is problematic as many such crimes are not reported to the police (Grubb & Harrower, 2009).”
Sexual Objectification Increases Rape Victim Blame and Decreases Perceived Suffering (2013, methodology): “Although increased victim blame has an effect on legal decision making (see Grubb & Harrower, 2008, 2009), victim suffering may play a more important role in victim rehabilitation.”
Attribution of blame in rape cases: A review of the impact of rape myth acceptance, gender role conformity and substance use on victim blaming (2012, background): “Rape is a pervasive crime within modern society and it is one which is wrongly but tacitly condoned (Grubb & Harrower, 2008, 2009).”
A review of the literature relating to rape victim blaming: An analysis of the impact of observer and victim characteristics on attribution of blame in rape cases (2014, unknown): “…as heterosexual male victims (Burt & DeMello, 2002; Mitchell et al., 1999) and for date rape situations (Black & Gold, 2008; Proite et al., 1993), stranger rape situations (Bell et al., 1994; Davies et al., 2008; Grubb & Harrower, 2009), as well as marital rape situations (Ewoldt et al., 2000).”