Victim-Blaming Rape Myths

Victim-Blaming Rape Myths Question: What are Rape Myths - Why Do Myths About Rape Often Blame the Victim? Answer: Rape myths are assumptions about the act of rape and the victims of rape that frequently reduce empathy for and even shift blame to the victim. Often unproven or downright wrong, rape myths are nonetheless widely accepted. A concept first introduced by sociologist Martha R. Burt in 1980, rape myths are defined as prejudicial, stereotyped, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists. Rape myths can lead us to justify acts of sexual violence by rationalizing that the victim did something wrong and therefore is at fault. When women believe rape myths, they frequently separate and/or distance themselves from the victim by saying, That would never happen to me because.... The following are common rape myths: Its not rape if theyre datingthere was no force/violence involvedshe didnt fight itshe went home with himshe wasnt aware of what was happeningshe said no but really meant yesshes a prostitute She wouldnt have been raped if she wasnt drinking alcoholwearing tight/sexy clothingleading him onslutty/a bad girl/sleeping aroundasking for ityoung and attractivein the wrong place at the wrong time the LA Weekly blog described her The tendency to take a judgmental view of rape victims is s direct result of viewing this violent crime through the lens of rape myths. Sources:Beere, Carole A. Sex and gender issues: a handbook of tests and measures. Pages 400-401. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1990.Raja, Sheela. Rape Myths Persist - Reactions to the Assault on Lara Logan. WomensMediaCenter.org. 17 February 2011.Wilson, Simone. Lara Logan, CBS Reporter and Warzone It Girl, Raped Repeatedly Amid Egypt Celebration. Blogs.LAWeekly.com. 16 February 2011.