Hine, Ben ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9732-4631 and Murphy, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0093-6178 (2018) 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

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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
Identifier:	10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2018.08.001
Subjects:	Law and criminal justice > Criminal justice Psychology
Related URLs:	Publisher
Depositing User:	Ben Hine
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2018 13:09
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 15:58
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/5382

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