A qualitative exploration of young Australian adults’ understanding of and explanations for alcohol-involved rape


Autoria(s): Starfelt, Louise Charlotte; Young, Ross McD.; Palk, Gavan; White, Katherine M.
Data(s)

2015

Resumo

Little is known about the beliefs that underlie the biased attributions that typically characterise people’s perceptions of intoxicated sexual perpetrators and their victims. Guided by consensual qualitative research, we explored young Australian adults’ (18-25 years; N = 15) attributions for an alcohol-involved rape based on focus groups and interviews. Prominent themes indicated that participants rarely labelled the assault as rape and, instead, adhered to miscommunication explanations. Participants emphasised the developmental value of the victimisation experience although recognising its harmful consequences. Both perpetrator and victim were held strongly responsible based on perceived opportunities to prevent the assault but implicit justifications were, nevertheless, evident. As such, explicit and implicit attributions were contradictory, with the latter reflecting the attributional double standard previously observed in quantitative rape-perception research. Findings underscore the need to challenge pervasive rape myths and equip young adults with knowledge on how to respond supportively to the commonly stigmatised victims of rape.

Formato

application/pdf

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/75879/

Publicador

Taylor & Francis Group

Relação

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/75879/2/75879.pdf

DOI:10.1080/13218719.2014.945639

Starfelt, Louise Charlotte, Young, Ross McD., Palk, Gavan, & White, Katherine M. (2015) A qualitative exploration of young Australian adults’ understanding of and explanations for alcohol-involved rape. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 22(3), pp. 337-354.

Direitos

Copyright 2014 The Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

Fonte

Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Qld (CARRS-Q); Faculty of Health; School of Psychology & Counselling

Palavras-Chave #170113 Social and Community Psychology #alcohol #attribution #blame #consensual qualitative research #perception #rape #responsibility #young adults
Tipo

Journal Article