title: Rape myth attitudes in rural Kenya: toward the development of a culturally relevant attitude scale and "blame index".
abstract: Rape myth attitudes (RMAs) can excuse men for rape, placing blame on female victims. This study identified and classified RMAs in rural western Kenya through 31 focus group discussions with youths and adults. We found that about half of the participants were likely to blame victims unconditionally. Stereotypes about rape victims and perpetrators were rife. Five of seven standardly used RMA categories emerged spontaneously in focus groups, along with a new category: "she owed him." Based on the data, we developed a "blame index" to assess the likelihood of community victim blaming in Kenya. To reduce victim blaming and bring about more prosecutions for rape, community education, teacher training, and reforms of rape laws are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. ptavrow@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tavrow
authors.forename: Mellissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Withers
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obbuyi
authors.forename: Vidalyne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Omollo
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D009229:Mythology / Q000523:psychology*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kenya; adolescent; attitudes; focus groups; health; rape; sexual violence