NCJ Number
208866
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 177-196
Date Published
February 2005
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study explored differences in attitudes toward rape between Asian and Caucasian college students.
Abstract
Rape is one of the most prevalent crimes in the United States, occurring across all ethnic groups, yet is also one of the most underreported crimes. Previous studies have found that Asian women are the least likely to report their experiences of rape to police or friends and family, possibly the result of cultural attitudes toward this crime. The current study used a convenience sample of 169 college students to examine their attitudes toward rape; 57 percent were Caucasian and 43 percent were Asian. Participants completed self-report questionnaires which were based on the original Attitudes Toward Rape scale; three items regarding stranger rape myths were added. Results of multivariate analyses indicated that Asian students were more likely to believe that victims of rape should be held responsible for the crime and that sex is the primary motivation for rape. Asian students were also more likely than their White counterparts to believe that most rapists are strangers and most victims cause their own rape. These findings have implications for rape outreach programs that can provide an important role in disseminating information and education concerning rape and rape prevention. Such programs should target males and Asian students. Future studies should include a larger sample size and should probe other variables, such as personal history of rape and abuse, as covariates. Tables, references