The Influence of ‘high’ vs. ‘low’ rape myth acceptance on police officers’ judgements of victim and perpetrator responsibility, and rape authenticity
Hine, Ben and Murphy, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0093-6178
(2019)
The Influence of ‘high’ vs. ‘low’ rape myth acceptance on police officers’ judgements of victim and perpetrator responsibility, and rape authenticity.
Journal of Criminal Justice, 60
.
pp. 100-107.
ISSN 0047-2352
(doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2018.08.001)
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Abstract
Purpose: Previous studies suggest that officers’ level of rape myth acceptance (RMA) is predictive of their case decision making and judgements towards victim-survivors. However, few studies have directly assessed the relationship between RMA and responsibility and authenticity judgments. Methods: 808 UK police officers categorised as ‘high’ or ‘low’ in rape myth acceptance made judgements of victim and perpetrator responsibility, and case authenticity, towards one of 16 vignettes depicting a hypothetical rape scenario varying on victim-perpetrator relationship, victim reputation, and initial point of resistance.
Results: Officers categorised as ‘high’ in RMA rated victims as more responsible, perpetrators as less responsible, and cases as less authentic than those deemed to be ‘low’ in RMA. When rape-myth related factors were present, both individually and in combination, judgements by officers ‘high’ in RMA were more negative than those ‘low’ in RMA.
Conclusions: Results suggest that officers ‘high’ in RMA may judge victims of rape differently to those ‘low’ in RMA, particularly when rape myth-related extra-legal case factors are present. The potential implications for training and selection are discussed.
Item Type: | Article |
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Research Areas: | A. > School of Science and Technology > Psychology |
Item ID: | 25244 |
Useful Links: | |
Depositing User: | Anthony Murphy |
Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2018 13:52 |
Last Modified: | 08 Oct 2019 00:42 |
URI: | https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/id/eprint/25244 |
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