title: Perceptions of sexual assault victims/survivors: the influence of sexual history and body weight.
abstract: The intersection between a woman's body weight and sexual history and the victim blaming attitudes of future health care providers was investigated. University undergraduate students (N = 91) enrolled in programs associated with the provision of health care read 1 of 4 patient files of a woman reporting a rape as well as 2 distracter files. Results showed that, for overweight rape victims/survivors, study participants' antifat attitudes were correlated with victim blaming attitudes. Male participants held the attacker significantly less responsible than did female participants if the victim/survivor had several previous sexual partners. Findings suggest that body weight should be considered as a contributing factor in attitudes toward rape victims/survivors, and the gender of the health care provider can be a factor in the post-assault treatment of overweight rape victims/survivors.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gotovac
authors.forename: Shelagh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Towson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D011639:Public Opinion; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult