The Double Jeopardy of Male Sexual Assault: Why Intergroup and Interpersonal Associations Perpetuate Victim Blaming

Abstract

This paper provides explanations for the victim-blaming associated with adult male sexual assault. Research suggests that sexual assault should be viewed as an intergroup instead of an interpersonal crime (Droogendyk & Wright, 2014), but this paper provides an overview of why both intergroup and interpersonal conceptualizations might increase blame, stigma, and backlash against male victims. The main reason provided recognizes the attention intergroup and interpersonal characterizations call to societal gender norms, increasing the perceived inconsistency between stereotypical definitions of being male and being sexually assaulted (Turchik & Edwards, 2012). Thus, male victims are blamed more for the sexual assault as they are seen as acting against masculine constructs of assertion and dominance (Droogendyk & Wright, 2014). The black sheep effect and just world belief are also presented as explanations for the victim-blaming against male victims and for why males blame male victims more than females. Finally, this paper suggests two main recommendations (i.e., ad campaigns and education programs), that might lower victim-blaming and increase support services, based on changing public perceptions of sexual assault.