An experimental investigation of the perceived credibility of complainants of sexual revictimization: Disbelief and victim-blame

Nadia Wager

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

This study investigated whether attitudes towards a complainant of sexual assault are affected by the knowledge that the complainant had previously made a similar allegation. This was a 3 (previous allegation; none, child sexual assault or adult sexual assault) X 2 (whether the previous allegation was substantiated) X 2 (the implied mental health status of the complainant; mental health issue vs none) multifactorial, experimental study, employing independent-measures and hypothetical vignettes depicting stranger rape scenarios. The dependent variables were victim-blame and believability. The participants were 243 female undergraduate students. A MANOVA revealed several main and interactive effects. Allegations of sexual revictimization were associated with different levels of victim-blame and believability depending on when the previous assault occurred. A history of childhood sexual assault reduced the believability of the complainant and when combined with other factors increased the tendency to attribute victim-blame.


LanguageEnglish
JournalViolence and Victims
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 18 Jul 2019

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assault
credibility
Mental Health
Rape
Health Status
Students
mental health
rape
health status
childhood
scenario
student

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Wager, Nadia. / An experimental investigation of the perceived credibility of complainants of sexual revictimization : Disbelief and victim-blame. In: Violence and Victims. 2019.
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abstract = "This study investigated whether attitudes towards a complainant of sexual assault are affected by the knowledge that the complainant had previously made a similar allegation. This was a 3 (previous allegation; none, child sexual assault or adult sexual assault) X 2 (whether the previous allegation was substantiated) X 2 (the implied mental health status of the complainant; mental health issue vs none) multifactorial, experimental study, employing independent-measures and hypothetical vignettes depicting stranger rape scenarios. The dependent variables were victim-blame and believability. The participants were 243 female undergraduate students. A MANOVA revealed several main and interactive effects. Allegations of sexual revictimization were associated with different levels of victim-blame and believability depending on when the previous assault occurred. A history of childhood sexual assault reduced the believability of the complainant and when combined with other factors increased the tendency to attribute victim-blame.",
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Wager, N 2019, 'An experimental investigation of the perceived credibility of complainants of sexual revictimization: Disbelief and victim-blame', Violence and Victims.

An experimental investigation of the perceived credibility of complainants of sexual revictimization : Disbelief and victim-blame. / Wager, Nadia.

In: Violence and Victims, 18.07.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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AB - This study investigated whether attitudes towards a complainant of sexual assault are affected by the knowledge that the complainant had previously made a similar allegation. This was a 3 (previous allegation; none, child sexual assault or adult sexual assault) X 2 (whether the previous allegation was substantiated) X 2 (the implied mental health status of the complainant; mental health issue vs none) multifactorial, experimental study, employing independent-measures and hypothetical vignettes depicting stranger rape scenarios. The dependent variables were victim-blame and believability. The participants were 243 female undergraduate students. A MANOVA revealed several main and interactive effects. Allegations of sexual revictimization were associated with different levels of victim-blame and believability depending on when the previous assault occurred. A history of childhood sexual assault reduced the believability of the complainant and when combined with other factors increased the tendency to attribute victim-blame.

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Wager N. An experimental investigation of the perceived credibility of complainants of sexual revictimization: Disbelief and victim-blame. Violence and Victims. 2019 Jul 18.