Examining the sexual preference effect in depicted male sexual assault
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17596591211244148 |
| Date | 13 July 2012 |
| Published date | 13 July 2012 |
| Pages | 136-143 |
| Author | Michelle Davies,Stephanie J. Boden |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Examining the sexual preference effect in
depicted male sexual assault
Michelle Davies and Stephanie J. Boden
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to investigate the sexual preference effect in depicted male sexual assault.
Consistent with Davies et al., the study seeks to predict that males are more blaming toward gay victims
of male perpetrators and heterosexual victims of female perpetrators, while females would not blame the
victim.
Design/methodology/approach – In total, 200 participants read a hypothetical scenario depicting a
case of the non-consensual touching of an adult male, and then completed a victim blame scale.
Findings – Analysis of variance confirmed predictions. Results are discussed in relation to gender
beliefs and homophobia. Suggestions for future work are proposed.
Originality/value – This study confirms the existence of the sexual preference effect in attributions
toward male victims of sexual assault utilising a scenario depicting non-consensual touching. These
findings extend current knowledge in this growing area.
Keywords Sexual preference effect, Attributions, Victim blame, Sexual assault, Assault, Behaviour,
Sex and gender issues
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Until relatively recently, research into perceptions of male sexual assault victims was
neglected, though enough research has now amassed for a number of robust experimental
findings to have been reported (see Davies and Rogers, 2006 for a detailed review). Several
studies have highlighted differences in perceptions of male sexual assault when victim
gender or sexuality is varied. For instance, if a male victim is portrayed as gay, he is blamed
more for being raped by a man than if is depicted as heterosexual (Burt and DeMello,
2002; Davies et al., 2001, 2006, 2008; Doherty and Anderson, 2004; Ford et al., 1998;
Mitchell et al., 1999; Wakelin and Long, 2003; White and Robinson Kurpius, 2002). Further,
male respondents blame male victims of male perpetrators more than they do female victims
of sexual assault (Burt and DeMello, 2002; Davies et al., 2001; Ford et al., 1998; Wakelin and
Long, 2003; White and Robinson Kurpius, 2002).
Researchers have suggested that homophobia is a contributory factor to blaming male
victims (Anderson, 2004). Burt and DeMello (2002) found that homophobic people were
more likely to blame both gay and heterosexual male victims, but were overall more negative
towards the gay victim, than non-homophobic people. Similarly, White and Robinson
Kurpius (2002) found that people who endorsed negative views about homosexuality
blamed gay male victims. Davies and McCartney (2003) found that only heterosexual men
assigned blame to a male rape situation. Gay men, like the women in their sample, did not
assign blame to the victim. This adds more evidence to the homophobia explanation of
blame towards male sexual victims.
PAGE 136
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JOURNALOF AGGRESSION,CONFLICTAND PEACERESEARCH
j
VOL.4 NO. 3 2012, pp.136-143, QEmerald Group Publishing Limit ed, ISSN 1759-6599 DOI10 .1108/17596591211244148
Michelle Davies is based in
the School of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Stephanie J. Boden is
based at the University of
Central Lancashire,
Preston, UK.
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