Who blames the rape victim? An investigation of attributions of blame in hypothetical rape scenarios outside the male rapist and female victim dyad

Despite the extensive research conducted in the area of sexual assault and attributions of blame towards victims of sexual assault and rape, there are several gaps in our understanding of the issues specifically related to the under-representation of male and transgender victims. In order to understand the patterns and nature of male and transgender rape in British society it is necessary to identify and explore the factors which may contribute to the under-reporting of rape by these groups. Therefore, attitudes towards male and transgender rape victims were examined in order to identify which variables (e.g. victim and perpetrator gender, victim sexuality, type of rape, rape myth acceptance) influenced victim blame and responsibility, and determined whether these were consistent with motivational theories of victim blame. Motivational theories of blame assert that people blame victims for two basic reasons: firstly, to maintain control over their environment and secondly, to maintain self-esteem (Bruggen & Grubb, 2014). Two theories that have been used to explain blame directed towards rape victims are the Defensive Attribution theory (Shaver, 1970) and the Just World theory (Lerner, 1980). It is intended that the findings of the present research will effectively challenge misconceptions about rape and help develop a strong relationship between the community and health care system which will effectively encourage male and transgender victims to report their rapes and get the legal, medical and psychological treatment they require in order to aid their post-assault recovery, free from prejudicial judgement.