Perceptions of sexual assault victims/survivors: the influence of sexual history and body weight

Violence Vict. 2015;30(1):66-80. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00168.

Abstract

The intersection between a woman's body weight and sexual history and the victim blaming attitudes of future health care providers was investigated. University undergraduate students (N = 91) enrolled in programs associated with the provision of health care read 1 of 4 patient files of a woman reporting a rape as well as 2 distracter files. Results showed that, for overweight rape victims/survivors, study participants' antifat attitudes were correlated with victim blaming attitudes. Male participants held the attacker significantly less responsible than did female participants if the victim/survivor had several previous sexual partners. Findings suggest that body weight should be considered as a contributing factor in attitudes toward rape victims/survivors, and the gender of the health care provider can be a factor in the post-assault treatment of overweight rape victims/survivors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Body Weight
  • Canada
  • Crime Victims* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Judgment*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity* / psychology
  • Public Opinion
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Social Perception*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult