The influence of political partisanship on perceptions of sexual assault

Abstract Across three studies, we examined the role of victim, perpetrator, and observer political orientation in judgments of sexual assault allegations. Study 1A varied the political orientation of the alleged perpetrator, whereas Study 1B varied the political orientation of the alleged victim. Study 2 varied the political orientation of both the alleged victim and perpetrator. In Studies 1A, 1B, and 2, Republican participants reported more rape‐supportive attitudes than Democratic participants overall. In Study 2, Republican participants showed more rape‐supportive attitudes, especially when the perpetrator was Republican or when the victim was Democratic. Additionally, both Democratic and Republican participants felt that the allegations may have been politically motivated when the alleged perpetrator's political orientation matched their own. Results provide evidence that political orientation plays a role in judgments of sexual assault, a factor which appears to be more prevalent among Republicans.