Attitudes Towards Rape and Their Determinants Among Men, Women and Non-Binary People in Poland

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the results of research on attitudes towards rape conducted in a group of 850 adult Poles, including 505 women, 310 men and 35 non-binary people, and to analyze their selected correlates: rape myth acceptance, right-wing authoritarianism and rape empathy. Non-binary people have only recently been included in research as a distinct group and little information can be found in the literature on the characteristics of their attitudes towards social problems. Therefore particular attention was paid to comparing the attitudes towards rape of non-binary people with those of women and men. In analyzing the results, the authors took into account the current socio-political situation in Poland. The results indicate that attitudes toward sexual aggression are related to the type of gender identification. The most positive attitudes towards rape victims among the groups participating in the research are held by non-binary people. Furthermore, attitudes towards rape are determined by rape myths, right-wing authoritarianism and empathy for victims of rape.