Rape
Myth
This Article is About the Misconceptions of Rape
[Excerpted from Wikipedia]
Rape myths are
prejudicial,
stereotyped and false beliefs about
sexual assaults, rapists, and rape victims. They often serve to excuse
sexual aggression, create hostility toward victims, and bias criminal
prosecution.
Extensive research has been conducted about types, acceptance, and impact of
rape myths. Rape myths significantly influence the perspectives of jurors,
investigative agencies, judges, perpetrators, and victims. False views about
rape lead to
victim blaming, shaming, questioning of the victim's honesty, and other
problems. Determination of the guilt of the accused, and sentencing for
sexual crimes, are also influenced by these beliefs.
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In 1980, Martha Burt published the first major study of rape myth
acceptance. Burt defined rape myths as "prejudicial, stereotyped and false
beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists" which create "a climate
hostile to rape victims." Burt's definition has been widely used.
----
Rape myths can cause victims of rape to blame themselves for their rape, or
to not report their assault, and they can also shape the responses of judges
and juries, causing a negative impact on rape victims. Some studies have
shown that police officers are often distrustful of rape victims' account of
their victimization, and that many of them believe some common rape myths.
One analysis by Patricia Yancey Martin, John R. Reynolds and Shelley Keith
suggested that "a judiciary made up solely of men differs from one made up
of more equal proportions of women and men." (Read
more...) |
Rape Culture: Has it Become Normalized in Society?
Two
Nobel peace prize winners who campaign against sex as a weapon of war. A new
US Supreme Court Justice has been accused of sex abuse when he was a
teenager. Brett Kavanaugh, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, - the list goes
on. So do the crimes - why? (YouTube)
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The Myths About Rape: Panel Discussion
Deputy
Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, Rosamund Horwood-Smart QC, and
Professor of Law Joanne Conaghan set the record straight and explain why
changing the debate around rape, which has long been dominated by
ideological and fixed views, is crucial to prevention. (YouTube)
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