Gender Differences in Attributions of Blame for Male Rape Victims

Abstract

Past research on blaming the victim has virtually ignored male victimization while concentrating on the female victim. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether or not gender differences exist in blaming a male rape victim and whether or not any theories of victim blame could be applied to this domain. Subjects were given the Belief in a Just World Scale, an intervening cognitive task, and a scenario describing a young man who was arrested outside of a bar where a fight occurred and who was later raped in a police holding cell. The manipulation consisted of whether or not the man had a previous arrest record. Subjects were then given a questionnaire assessing victim blame. Results showed males blamed the victim more than females and that the prior arrest victim was held more responsible than was the no-prior-arrest victim. The present findings are consistent with Lerner's belief in a just world theory.