Child molesting: Variables relating to attribution of fault to victims, offenders, and nonparticipating parents

Abstract

Abstract In this study variables relating to attribution of fault to child molestation victims, offenders, and nonparticipating parents were investigated. Previous researchers have demonstrated that people blame women who are raped, and numerous authors have blamed child molestation victims. Subjects were 180 male and 180 female volunteers attending a large northeastern state university. They read a description of child molesting in which victim's sex, victim's age (7, 11, or 15) and offender‐victim relationship (parent, acquaintance, or stranger) were varied among subjects. Subjects indicated how much fault they attributed to each person and stated their reasons. Four attitudinal scales were also administered, and subjects were asked if they were ever molested. Regarding attribution of fault to victims, a breakdown of the significant Subject's Sex x Victim's Sex x Victim's Age interaction revealed that male subjects attributed significantly more fault than female subjects to 15‐year‐old male victims, and...