Blame Attributions in Acquaintance Rape: Effects of Ambivalent Sexism and Sexual Consent

This study investigated if and how blame attributions depend on the victim-perpetrator relationship in different types of acquaintance rape, as well as how relationship type moderates the effect of benevolent sexism, hostile sexism and general sexual consent attitudes on blame attributions. Perceived victim consent in relation to the rape scenarios was examined as a potential mediator between general consent attitudes and blame attributions. 282 participants completed an online questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression analyses found no main effect of victim-perpetrator relationship but found some interaction effects for benevolent sexism. Mediation analyses using linear regression found that perceptions of victim consent predicted blame attributions, and that the effect of general consent attitudes was mediated by perceptions of victim consent. The results of the study somewhat contradict previous research that has found an effect of victim-perpetrator relationship on blame attributions. Possible explanations for the results and potential limitations are discussed, as well as methodological implications for the field of blame attribution research.