Examining victim-blame and rape proclivity toward male sexual minority victims of rape

ongoing

According to a recent report of the European Commission (EC), the feeling of discrimination among sexual minorities is rising, with many experiencing hate speech and violence, including rape. An EU survey of LGBT individuals showed that many of rape incidences go underreported. Victim-blaming by bystanders has been considered as a key driver for why victims remain silent. While previous research has focused on victims’ experiences, there has been less attention on bystanders’ perspectives, despite their potential impact on victims. Therefore, my proposal will address this gap by examining bystanders’ perspectives regarding sexual minority victims of rape. VictimPro will examine the mechanism of victim-blame and the drives behind rape proclivity toward heterosexual, bisexual, and gay male victims of rape by testing the role of the defensive attribution and sexual attraction hypotheses. My research will adopt an interdisciplinary approach involving psychology, criminology, and victimology. The findings will contribute to improve victim support, reduce underreporting, identify vulnerable groups, and inform rape prevention programs. The methodological novelty of my project lies in proposing a model on the overlap between victim-blame-rape perpetration using advanced statistics. This model will deepen our understanding of the perceptions toward rape victims and can be tested with further research examining public perceptions toward other victims of rape. This project aligns with the EC's current strategy (2020-2025) to fight discrimination and ensure the safety of LGBTIQ people. Beyond the project’s timeliness, benefits, and innovative aspects, this fellowship will expand my theoretical and methodological expertise in the field of sexual violence, provide mobility experience as well as strengthen my international academic network and transferable skills essential for a successful academic career.