Lack of Victim Responsibility as a Factor in Defining Rape

• NCJ Number: 75236
• Author(s): A M Orzek
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Paper presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Convention, April, 1977.

Annotation

Lack of responsibility on the part of the victim was studied as a necessary component in determining whether a situation was defined as rape.

Abstract

A total of 15 situations were presented to 200 students in upper level psychology courses at Southwest Missouri State University. The students were asked to determine whether each situation constituted rape. If so, students were asked to indicate, on a seven-point scale, the level of responsibility of the victim. A Pearson 'r' was performed correlating the number of situations defined as rape and the number of situations where the victim had no responsibility. Significance was found for the entire sample. This would support the hypothesis that the individual who defines a situation as rape is more likely to see the victim as not responsible. The scores from the BSRI were correlated with the degree of responsibility when responsibility was determined (r/r). As sex role orientation of males became more feminine, r/r decreased. Twelve references, 1 footnote, and 1 table are given. (ERIC abstract modified)