Rape myths and victim blaming: A study of attitudes of university students in Namibia

Abstract

Rape myths serve to blame the victim, justify the perpetrator's actions, and discount the violence of rape. For perpetrators, these rape myths are thought to reduce the expected negative consequences of committing rape. It is believed that endorsement of rape myths might precede sexual aggression and rape. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the extent of endorsement for rape myths by a sample of university students and to establish whether there was any gender difference in this endorsement. A quantitative, descriptive and crosssectional research framework was adopted. A non-probability stratified convenience sample of 152 students was employed. The 20-item short-form of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA-SF) was administered to assess how strongly the participants agreed with rape myths overall. A rape vignette (acquaintance rape scenario) and an accompanying questionnaire were used to assess victim and perpetrator-blaming. The results suggested that at least some students tend towards endorsing some of the rape myths. Male participants endorsed rape myths slightly more than female participants. There were no statistically significant differences in the pattern of responses of male and female respondents regarding the rape vignette. Gender seemed to make no difference with regard to the degree of victim blaming on the acquaintance rape scenario. However, rape myth endorsement on the IRMA-SF scale was significantly associated with victim blaming. In light of the results indicating a presence of rape myth, suggestions are made for possible interventions to reduce rape myths. The overall findings suggest a need to provide more accurate information that will undo myths and by doing so reduce attitudes towards rape and other forms of sexual violence.