Rape Myth Acceptance, Sexism, and Empathy Across Populations and as Predictors of Post-Assault Functioning

Abstract

Victim-blaming and self-blame in the literature have repeatedly been shown to impact psychological distress in individuals who have been sexually victimized. Three key variables have been implicated in victim-blaming behavior: rape myth acceptance, ambivalent sexism, and empathy. Presently, there has been an absence of research examining these variables together across populations who have been sexually victimized, perpetrated sexual victimization, experienced both, or experienced neither. Additionally, relationships between these variables and psychological distress in adults who have been sexually victimized have yet to be examined. Results were hindered by small sample sizes but confirmed gender effects across variables, suggest that rape myth acceptance may be implicated in psychological well-being of victims, and indicate that individuals who have experienced both perpetration and victimization may differ in these factors compared to other groups. Keywords: victim-blaming, sexual assault, distress, victimization, perpetration