title: The complexity of victim-questioning attitudes by rape victim advocates: exploring some gray areas.
abstract: Despite efforts to educate and create community awareness, rape myths and victim-blaming attitudes persist in society. This research explores whether advocates express victim-questioning attitudes or questions, negative judgment, or frustration regarding victims' behavior or choices. Data from interviews with 58 advocates reveal that the majority (76%) of advocates never expressed any victim-questioning attitudes during the interview. However, responses from 14 advocates (24%) show that victim-questioning has evolved into a much more complex, subtle form than historical victim blaming or acceptance of rape myths.
authors: Department of Criminal Justice, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013, USA. slmaier@mail.widener.edu
authors: Shana L
authors: SL
authors: Maier
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D002755:Choice Behavior; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007600:Judgment; D009229:Mythology; D011902:Rape; D012938:Social Perception; D012947:Social Work; D013240:Stereotyping