The research investigated how men perceive constructions of masculinity in the talk of male rape. Research on gender relations and masculinities is a growing area of interest. The topic of male rape however, remains underrepresented within this. Male rape draws on discourses of gender, trauma, sex, sexuality and violence. It further offers a controversial topic that participants could engage in to further make sense of the multitude of masculine identities that exist, and how these directly influence responses to gendered phenomena. It is therefore likely to elicit significant constructions of masculinities and hence was used as a vehicle to further add insight into the constructed nature of masculinities. This was achieved through the use of a group of thirteen men who were divided into three focus groups. Each focus group made use of a vignette and a semi-structured interview schedule. Through this method the masculine identities that arose in their talk on male rape were examined. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis in which a social constructionist perspective was applied. It was found that participants strongly adhered to a hegemonic masculine point of reference in discussions. The patriarchal nature of this masculine identity that is subordinating of both women and other masculine identities was consistently used in discussions, thus representing the relatively stable influence of hegemony in gendered relations. Subordinated masculinities emerged more subtly, illustrating a growing acceptance of multiple forms of masculine identities. The results were understood as largely representative of broader society that still elevates the constructed standards of hegemony in conceptualising masculinities. This study thus sheds light on the social constructionist nature evident in society that continually influences the connotations attached to gendered identities within it. The significance in considering the masculine influences in responding to male rape lies in the multiplicity of factors that each involves as these collectively shape society's continued gendered understanding in shaping reality. A topic such as male rape, that directly threatens constructed notions of masculinities, thus allows for a new understanding to emerge in its consideration of the masculine identities that arise in responding to this traumatic experience.

Rape has historically been constructed as a women’s issue and, as such, research has focused on female survivors of sexual assault. Current research on the topic indicates that the construction of female rape is structured by stereotypical gender roles and patriarchal/misogynistic structures. However, there is very little research on male rape. This exploratory thesis seeks to fill this gap by exploring how the meaning of male rape is constructed on Twitter posts that contain the hashtag “MaleRape”. Two thousand ninety-two tweets were collected. The final sample was comprised of 840 tweets and qualitative content analysis was the method used to code and organize the data. Preliminary analysis suggested that the constructions varied significantly by region; accordingly, the data were sorted into the following four regions: North America; Europe; Africa; and Asia. The analysis, rooted in critical feminism, explores how male rape is constructed in each region. The findings indicate that there is some consistency across regions, especially with respect to the ways in which patriarchal assumptions led to the denial of male rape and the silencing of survivors. However, there were interesting differences in the various regions. This thesis addresses the influence of heteronormative constructions and calls for more consideration of cultural differences when studying sexual violence.

Traditionally, rape has been viewed as a crime perpetrated by men against women. However, it is now recognised that males can also be victims of rape. The current research had several interrelated aims to; (i) provide a profile of both male and female rape victims, (ii) compare the characteristics of rape perpetrated against male and female victims, (iii) estimate the incidence of male and female rape within the general community, (iv) describe the reporting practices of rape victims, and (v) determine the relationship between rape and depression, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts. The community's level of rape myth endorsement was also explored. Rape myths were defined as attitudes and beliefs about rape, rape victims, and rapists that are generally false but are widely and persistently held, and serve to deny and justify sexual aggression against women and men. The present study compared rape myth endorsement levels concerning both male and female victims. However, it was first necessary to construct a rape myth questionnaire, the Rape Attitudinal Scale (RAQ), which minimised the methodological limitations of pre-existing scales. The current research utilised online methodology and, in total, 560 individuals participated in the research. It was found that almost two out of every five participants had been a victim of rape during their lifetime, with males accounting for 8.60% of the raped sample. Rape victims emanated from a variety of demographic backgrounds and the gender differences between the characteristics of the rape were discussed. Approximately one in seven rape victims stated that they had reported the rape to police, with half of those rape victims regretting informing the police of their experience. Almost twice as many female rape victims than male rape victims failed to report their rape to anyone. It was also found that victims of rape are more likely to report rape to authorities when the rape fits the

Bakgrund: På senare år har män som våldtäktsoffer fått en ökad uppmärksamhet, men fortfarande fokuseras majoriteten av forskningen på kvinnor. Det finns många olika myter och fördomar som tilldelas våldtäktsoffer. Ett offer för våldtäkt drabbas av både fysiska och psykiska men. Vårdpersonal måste kunna se förbi sina fördomar för att ge adekvat och lika vård till alla individer. Syfte: Att belysa skillnader och likheter rörande studenters attityder/föreställningar gentemot män respektive kvinnor som blivit utsatta för våldtäkt. Metod: En litteraturöversikt gjordes på nio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvantitativ ansats. Resultat: Resultatet visade att manliga studenter generellt har högre acceptans för våldtäktsmyter gällande både kvinnor och män. Männen visade upp mer negativa attityder mot offren, tilldelade mer skuld och mindre sympati mot offren än de kvinnliga studenterna. Både kön och sexualitet påverkar attityder mot offret, kvinnor och homosexuella män skuldbeläggs generellt mer än heterosexuella män och homosexuella kvinnor. Mäns och kvinnors föreställningar/uppfattningar om våldtäkt skiljer sig även åt och det visade sig att män och kvinnor föreställer sig olika olägenheter vid våldtäkt. Utbildning visade sig vara en faktor som påverkar attityder, där högre utbildning indikerar på mer positiva attityder mot offret. Slutsats: En rad olika myter förekommer och kan kopplas till negativa attityder mot våldtäktsoffer. En skillnad mellan män och kvinnor finns när det kommer till myt-acceptans. Beroende på ett offers sexuella läggning, kön och karaktär förändras synen på den. Klinisk betydelse: Kännedom om dessa myter och attityder kan ligga till grund för framtida utbildning hos personal som arbetar inom detta område och hjälpa till att motverka en sekundär traumatisering för våldtäktsoffer. / Background: In recent years, male victims of rape have gained increased attention, but the majority of the research still focuses on women. There are many myths and prejudices that affect our attitudes toward victims of rape. A victim suffers from both physical and psychological injuries. Health care personnel have to see beyond their prejudices to give a good and equal care towards all individuals. Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight the similarities and differences regarding students’ attitudes/beliefs towards male and female rape victims. Method: A literature review was written based on nine scientific articles with quantitative approach. Results: The results indicated that men generally have a higher acceptance of rape myths regarding both women and men. Men showed more negative attitudes towards victims, allocated more blame and less sympathy toward victims than women. Both gender and sexuality affect attitudes towards victims, women and homosexual men generally received more blame than heterosexual men and homosexual women. Male and female beliefs/perceptions of rape are also different and it turned out men and women produce various nuisances regarding rape. Education were proven to be a factors influencing attitudes, higher education indicates more positive attitudes towards the victim. Conclusion: Different kinds of myths exist and can be connected to negative attitudes towards a victim of rape. A difference between men and women exists when it comes to myth acceptance. Depending on the victims sexual orientation, sex and character the view upon it changes. Clinical implication: Knowledge about these myths and attitudes can be used for future education for personnel working within this area and to help preventing a secondary victimization for the victim.

Numerous studies have looked at attitudes about sexual assault, or rape myths, but most of these studies have looked at sexual assault when victims are female and perpetrators are male. However, female-to-male rape does occur, and male victims experience negative consequences from the event. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a scale to measure acceptance of female-to-male rape myths. The investigation involved two separate phases that build on a pilot study in which a preliminary scale was developed. The first phase of the investigation identified male rape myths that are pertinent to female-to-male rape. The second phase developed the items of the scale from the rape myths identified in Phase 1 and evaluated the factor structure, reliability and validity of the scale. The Female-to-Male Rape Myths Scale (FMRM) consists of 30 items and was found to be a reliable and valid measure of female-to-male rape myth acceptance in Midwestern college students. The construct was found to be unifactorial with good internal consistency at .94. Scores on the FMRM correlated with scores on the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske, 1996), the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (Herek, 1988), and the Male Rape Myths Scale (Kerr Melanson, 1999). Implications for future research and practical uses of the scale are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Principal faculty advisor: Ronet Bachman, Dept. of Sociology & Criminal Justice. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

abstract: Many authors have shown that "real victim," "real rape," and traditional gender role stereotypes affect how people attribute blame to victims and perpetrators of sexual assault, and that jury decisions in rape cases are likewise influenced by extralegal factors, such as how much the victim resisted. Most studies only focus on the acceptance of rape myths and stereotypes about female victims, while myths and stereotypes about male victims are largely ignored. It is unknown how female rape myth acceptance (FRMA) and male rape myth acceptance (MRMA) may differently affect victim and perpetrator blame attributions. Whether the juror influences the effect of extra-legal factors on rape perceptions is also unknown. Using a randomized vignette design, the current study investigates 1) the effect of rape myth acceptance and gender attitudes on victim and perpetrator blame attributions, 2) how blame attributions differ by victim gender, level of resistance, and victim-perpetrator relationship, and 3) how the juror role influences the effects of rape myth acceptance and extra-legal factors on blame attributions. Results show that FRMA and MRMA are both positively associated with victim blame and negatively associated with perpetrator blame, that male victims are blamed more than female victims, and that jury membership does not influence the effect of extra-legal factors on blame attributions. Victim resistance and victim-perpetrator relationship also affected rape perceptions in unexpected ways. Implications for rape prevention programing, police and prosecutor decision-making, and jury selection are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Criminology and Criminal Justice 2017

No description available.

Sexual violence is sometimes considered a taboo topic for discussion, but it gained widespread attention in the media in late 2017 due to the social movements addressing the sexual assault of women. However, sexual violence perpetrated against men lacks publicity in America, and highlights a similar situation in the Armed Forces. A discussion of sexually violent acts committed against men is sometimes impeded by cultural norms. This discrepancy associated with civilian and military communities inspired this exploratory study. A convenience sample of 520 former American military professionals completed an anonymous online survey to describe their attitudes and beliefs regarding rape myths. The survey included basic demographics followed by 20 questions with dichotomous responses addressing male and female rape myths, empathy, belief in a just world and gender attitudes. Responses to each question were analyzed, followed by composite scoring for rape myths, empathy and gender attitude questions. Bivariate correlation analysis was performed to examine significant relationships. Ordinal and bivariate logistic regressions were completed to predict adherence to male rape myths. The exploratory nature of the survey provided a glimpse of veterans' views and indicated the majority, 317 (61.1%) of veterans did not adhere to any of the listed male rape myths, and 311 (59.6%) of veterans did not agree with the female rape myths. The ordinal logistic regression model predicted that empathy for male survivors and disagreement with some patriarchal gender attitudes were significantly associated with decreased acceptance of male rape myths in the sample of veterans. Significant predictors of male rape myths in the bivariate logistic regression model included increased empathy (Exp(B) = 6.373, CI [2.740, 14.822]), agreement with patriarchal gender attitudes (Exp(B) = 5.598, CI [2.059, 15.219]), and adherence to female rape myths (Exp(B) = 1.969, CI [.993, 3.904]). These results emphasized popular misinformation, and the need for education and awareness surrounding rape myths. Strategic suggestions for the military community were aimed at prevention, education, and policy changes. Despite the challenging environment, the topic of sexual violence perpetrated against males is a relevant issue affecting humanity.