Victim blame attributions at more than two relationship-levels between rape victims and offenders: A literature review.

• Research of rape blame attribution has often studied victim-offender relationship in dichotomy (e.g. stranger vs. date rape). In reality, several levels of familiarity exist between victims and offenders. Current article reviews research of victim blame attribution that has included more than two relationship-levels. Further selection criteria were usage of vignette methodology and gender as independent variable. Unanimously, stranger rape victims were blamed the least and any higher relationship-level was associated to more blame. It was not possible to conclude which relationship-level alone generated most victim blame due to non-corresponding results, disaccording relationship-levels and rape descriptions. Future research challenges are discussed.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Keyword

rape victim

blame attribution

relationship-levels

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)