Fear Of Sexual Assault Research Articles

Women's experiences of participation in mass participation sport events.

Mass participation sport events (MPSEs) have become a popular form of recreational sport participation. Understanding experiences of participants is pivotal to designing and implementing socially just and sustainable events. Applying constructivist grounded theory methodology, this inquiry explored experiences of participation in MPSEs, with particular attention to the impact of gender on participation experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 women who participated in MPSEs. Fear and power were two core themes in interviewees' experiences. Fear of sexual assault, injury, and "something bad" was a significant element in women's experiences which related to perceptions of place and time. The second theme, power, was generated from strong sport identities, camaraderie among female runners, all-women races, and finishing mixed-gender races. The findings provide some guidelines for practitioners to enhance experiences of female participants and encourage repeated participation that is key to sustainability of the events.

Memory for pictures of sexual assault: Sensitive maintenance of ambiguous stimuli.

Individual differences in dispositional coping might influence how ambiguous situations involving interactions of men and women are interpreted and remembered. Specifically, we hypothesized that women with a sensitive coping style actively maintain ambiguously threatening stimuli in their memory, showing so-called sensitive maintenance. As a prerequisite to investigate this hypothesis, two surveys (Studies 1 and 2; N = 151 and N = 252) were conducted to answer the questions whether fear of sexual assault is of relevance for young women in Germany and whether ambiguous (rather than only unambiguously threatening) situations are experienced to a significant extent. After confirming this for our target population, our main hypothesis was tested in Study 3 (N = 192) by combining tasks assessing the appraisal and the forgetting of nonthreatening, threatening, and ambiguous pictures showing interactions of men and women, and by varying the cognitive load during the retention interval. Whereas fear of rape predicted the appraisal of pictures, coping dispositions predicted forgetting of ambiguously and unambiguously threatening pictures in the hypothesized way. Results are discussed from the perspective of adaptivity and functionality of memory.

여성의 성폭력두려움에 영향을 미치는 인식 요인 : 성폭력두려움, 무질서인식, 사회통제인식 간 상호효과 검증

본 연구는 여성의 삶의 질에 심각한 영향을 미치는 성폭력두려움의 원인을 규명하 고자 했다. 성폭력두려움은 실재(fact)가 아닌 인식(cognition)의 영역에 존재하므로 무 질서인식, 사회통제인식과 서로 영향을 주고받을 것으로 가정했다. 이러한 상호효과 검 증은 종단자료를 이용하여 원인과 결과의 시간적 순서를 통제하므로 방법론적으로도 인과관계 검증에 유리했다. 이에 2012년과 2014년 전국범죄피해조사 자료를 시군구 단 위로 통합·매칭시켜 패널 자료를 구축하고 교차지연 패널모형 분석을 시도했다. 전반적 으로 여성이 느끼는 성폭력두려움과 무질서인식은 10% 이상 감소한 반면, 지역유대, 개입의지, 경찰활동신뢰도는 증가하여 안전에 대한 의식이 개선되는 흐름을 보였다. 인 식 변수들 간 상호효과 분석 결과, 지역유대가 성폭력두려움을 감소시키는 유일한 변수 였다. 그런데 나이가 어릴수록, 1인가구일수록, 도시적 특성을 가진 지역에 거주할수록 성폭력두려움은 증가하고 지역유대는 감소하여, 연령, 1인가구, 도시화 등의 실재적 특성을 고려한 차별적이고 세부적인 정책이 필요해보였다.

An Examination of the Shadow of Sexual Assault Hypothesis Among Men and Women in South Korea

Using a South Korean sample from 2010 National Crime Victim Survey, the current research examined the gender differences of fear of four different types of crime testing the shadow of sexual assault thesis, which asserts that sexual assault operates as a master offense for females. The current study provides insight into the robustness of the shadow hypothesis by controlling for various covariates (e.g., perceptions of the neighborhood and crime-related media consumption) that have been often omitted in this line of literature. Results show that the largest difference in fear between males and females was the fear of sexual assault, and based on coefficient comparison tests, fear of sexual assault was a stronger predictor of fear of other crimes among males than among females. The current study calls for future research to disentangle the shadow of sexual hypothesis in different settings and to conduct more studies specifically on men’s fear of crime.

Sexual Assault Victimization, Fear of Sexual Assault, and Self-Protective Behaviors: A Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTAccording to Agnew’s General Strain Theory, many individuals who experience strain are more likely to engage in crime or become delinquent. To date, past research has examined the relationship between victimization and fear of crime, as well as the corresponding relationship between fear of crime and self-protective behaviors. Yet, the mediating role fear of sexual assault may have in accounting for the association between prior sexual assault victimization and self-protective behaviors has not been evaluated. The current study addresses this gap in the literature using data collected from a random sample of college students from 12 universities in the United States. The results indicated that the relationship between prior sexual assault victimization and self-protective behavior is partially mediated by fear of sexual assault. The study concludes with a discussion of implications and limitations, as well as directions for future research.

Does Fear of Terrorism Differ From Fear of Crime and Sexual Assault: A Question of Geographical Location and Residential Area.

The study describes an examination of three types of fear: crime, sexual assault, and terrorism. The sample consisted of 507 adults from three different geographical locations in Israel with different levels of crime and terror attacks. With regard to fear of crime and fear of sexual assault, the results were compatible with the findings of many studies that indicate the effect of residential area features on levels of fear. Fear of terrorism was found to be more complex. The theoretical framework used to assess fear of crime is not fully suitable for assessing and examining fear of terrorism. Other variables should be taken into consideration, such as religion and ideology.

College Student Perceptions of Notification About Sex Offenders on Campus

Sexual victimization is a growing concern on college campuses. Although academic literature has examined the extent and perceived risk and fear of sexual assault at universities, studies focusing on college student attitudes about appropriate sex crime–related policies are severely limited. The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 requires post-secondary institutions to provide a statement giving the campus community guidance on how to access information about registered sex offenders. Colleges and universities are afforded wide discretion regarding whether to use more direct and involved methods for notifying faculty, staff, and students. The current study examines how college students attending a Midwestern university feel about various approaches to notification about sex offenders on campus. Results indicate that impressions of vulnerability are driving some of student opinion about notification, but that other considerations, such as character assessment, privacy concerns, and feelings of uneasiness, are possibly having an impact as well. The findings also strongly support that female student input should be factored heavily into campus sex offender notification strategies.

Unraveling the Determinants of Fear of Crime Among Men and Women in Istanbul: Examining the Impact of Perceived Risk and Fear of Sexual Assault.

Studies have examined university students' fear of crime focusing on the relationship between the fear of sexual assault and fear of other crimes, termed the shadow of sexual assault hypothesis; however, no study to date has examined the shadow thesis in a Turkish context. Drawing on the shadow thesis, using a sample of 723 university students in Istanbul, this study focuses on the effect of fear of sexual assault and perceived risk of crime to general fear of crime among university students in Istanbul. Also, the predictors of fear of crime are explored to examine the relationship between lifestyle characteristics, constrained behaviors, and fear. The findings of the study supported the shadow thesis, indicating that fear of sexual assault shaped the nonsexual crimes, especially crimes involving face-to-face confrontations between the victim and offender. Furthermore, lifestyle characteristics are correlated with the men's fear of nonsexual crimes, particularly fear of robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary home.

The what, who and where of female students’ fear of sexual assault on a South African University campus

abstract Sexual assault is a serious and urgent concern at university campuses. The fear of sexual assault is widespread and expressed almost exclusively by women. This briefing explores female students’ fears about sexual violence and the spaces within which they feel vulnerable while at university, with a view to planning effective interventions to address their fears. This was done by working with them towards understanding the nature and extent of sexual violence, how to deal with it when it occurs and, most importantly, how to prevent it. The analysis draws on the responses of 133 female students at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, who participated in an online survey titled ‘Safer learning environments’, which comprised of closed- and open-ended questions. The findings reveal that the fear of sexual assault is widespread, especially amongst women living in university residences. The people most feared are outsiders and male students. Given the powerful ways in which female students’ activities on campus are shaped and constrained by their fear of sexual violence, it is important to gain their perspectives on how sexual violence is understood, how it is reported, and how it can be addressed. Comprehensive interventions that include and move beyond strengthening security measures and punishment are critical. These have to actively engage students in reflecting on and challenging social and cultural norms that normalise violence against women.

Safety Rituals: How Women Cope with the Fear of Sexual Violence

In this study we focus on how women's fear of sexual violence shapes their views on sexual assault and influences their use of safety strategies as well as how those safety strategies may restrict their use of time and space. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants who also journaled for one week on the topic of sexual violence. Data were analyzed through an inductive analysis approach. These women think about sexual violence as a widespread problem that affects them disproportionately more than it affects men; they engage in precautionary behaviors in a ritualistic manner; and their fear of sexual assault is restrictive. Safety rituals seem to help these women feel powerful, in control, and less anxious.

Fear of Property, Violent, and Gang Crime

The current study examines the impact of perceived risk and fear of sexual assault on male and female offenders’ fear of (a) property crime, (b) violent crime, and (c) gang crime. Results indicate that perceived risk of victimization and fear of sexual assault are significantly associated with fear of property, violent, and gang crime among the full sample and among both men and women. Confirming results of prior research, perceived risk of victimization is a stronger predictor of property, violent, and gang fear among men. Fear of sexual assault emerged as a stronger predictor of fear of property, violent, and gang crime among women, confirming Ferraro’s shadow of sexual assault thesis.

Fear of Violent Crime Among Men and Women on Campus: The Impact of Perceived Risk and Fear of Sexual Assault

Prior research has consistently shown that women are more afraid of crime than men despite the fact that men are much more likely to be victims of all crime except sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The "shadow of sexual assault" hypothesis argues that women's fear of sexual assault shadows their fear of other types of crime, particularly violent crime. Building on prior research by Ferraro (1996) and Fisher and Sloan (2003), this study examines the individual and combined impact of perceived risk and fear of sexual assault on fear of robbery and assault among college students. Findings indicate that fear of sexual assault is the stronger predictor of fear of crime for women and that perceived risk is the stronger predictor for men.

Fear of Acquaintance Versus Stranger Rape as a “Master Status”: Towards Refinement of the “Shadow of Sexual Assault”

Using a sample of 1010 women from a southeastern state university, we explore whether associations between fear of sexual assault and other crime-specific fears vary based on presumed victim-offender relationship. More specifically, we assess the extent to which fear of stranger- and acquaintance-perpetrated sexual assaults differ in the extent to which they are correlated with fear of other crime victimizations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both fear of stranger-perpetrated sexual assault and fear of acquaintance-perpetrated sexual assault were positively associated with nearly all other crime-specific fears under examination. However, associations were particularly strong between fear of sexual assault by a stranger and fear of other stranger-perpetrated crimes. Findings have significant implications for how academic institutions should comprehensively address direct and indirect negative influences of violence against college women.

Wardens’ Perceptions of Inmate Fear of Sexual Assault: A Research Note

Research on inmate fear of sexual assault is sparse in sociological and correctional journals. Studies that examine wardens’ perceptions of inmate fear of sexual assault are nonexistent in the literature. Therefore, using data gathered from 226 wardens of state correctional institutions, this study examines which demographic and institutional factors significantly affect wardens’ perceptions of inmate fear of sexual assault within their institutions. Sex of the institution, security level, and number of officially reported inmate sexual assaults within the facilities were the most salient predictors of wardens’ beliefs in the prevalence of inmate fear of sexual assault. Policy implications are also addressed.

Prison Rape in Context

Fear of sexual violence is a defining characteristic of the prison experience in the United States. Rape has been a key theme in the literature on imprisonment since at least the 1930s. There is evidence—from prison argot and epidemiological studies in particular—that this problem is not as ingrained in the UK. Clearly there is more at play here than sexual deprivation and the pains of confinement, which know no jurisdictional boundary. It is suggested that the answer may lie, to some extent at least, in the poisonous history of race relations in the United States: prison rape can be seen as a legacy of slavery and the lynch mob. The particularity of the US situation may also be explained in part by higher levels of violence in society more generally and a cynical attitude on the part of prison staff. In today's world the judge who sentences a young person to reform school or prison passes male rape on him as surely as the sentence. Every inmate has a very short time, once inside, to pick a 'wolf (a tough protector) or face gang rape, becoming the 'girl' of the institution, or death. Many of the prison suicides we read about can be traced to this choice. Worse, prison officers might even have sold the boy to aggressive inmates in order to keep the institution quiet. (Scacco 1982: vii) The above quotation encapsulates several of the main themes to be addressed in this paper. First, the notion that prison rape is a quotidian experience, that it is an inevitable secondary effect of incarceration. Second, that this is a recent development, peculiar to 'today's world'. Third, that the existence of this practice is so firmly rooted in prison life that it has generated its own argot. Fourth, that there is an intimate connection between the fear of sexual assault and violence (whether directed inwardly as suicide or at other prisoners in self-defence or retaliation.) Fifth, that prison staff may be complicit in the continuation of this practice. Scacco presents in stark form an argument that is found throughout the literature on imprisonment in the United States. Prisoner biographies and litigation, academic treatises, popular 'entertainment' and reform groups (such as Stop Prisoner Rape) are at one in their emphasis on the subculture of sexual violence that permeates prison life. Penal institutions are shown as crucibles of masculinity; places where distorted—and destructive—forms of male identity are forged. In this bleak view, those who do not fit the mould are destroyed. Only 'real men' can survive the unrelenting struggle for domination that marks the passage of time behind bars. According to Smith and Batiuk (1989: 30): the threat of sexual violence actually dominates the prison environment and structures much of the everyday interaction that goes on among inmates. In fact, the threat of sexual victimization becomes the dominant metaphor in terms of which almost every other aspect of 'prison reality' is interpreted.

“I Can Take Care of Myself”

Feminist self-defense classes teach skills for preventing and responding to violence. However, self-defense training has many other positive effects on women’s lives—effects that themselvesmay reduce women’s risk of assault. In this article the author offers evidence of these effects drawn from a longitudinal study of self-defense training. In addition to increased confidence in potentially dangerous situations, self-defense students reported more comfortable interactions with strangers, acquaintances, and intimates; more positive feelings about their bodies; increased self-confidence; and transformed beliefs about women, men, and gender. The author suggests that self-defense classes are life transforming because they address three issues central to women’s lives: fear of sexual assault, self, and gender.

The impact of institutional factors on officially reported sexual assaults in prisons

Not only has research on prison sexual assault been rather scarce the past four decades, but few of these studies have ascertained the number of officially reported inmate-on-inmate sexual assaults. In addiition, no study exists which has rigorously examined which, if any, institutional factors impact the number of officially reported inmate-on-inmate sexual assaults in prisons. Using data from a national sample of 226 prison wardens, this study examines the impact of institutional factors on officially reported sexual assaults. The most salient variables in the study were current number of inmates and wardens’ perceptions of inmate fear of sexual assault. Wardens overseeing institutions with higher numbers of inmates were more likely to report that inmates had been sexually assaulted and those who ran minimum-security prisons were less likely to report sexual assaults within their facilities.

Women's Fear of Victimization: Shadow of Sexual Assault?

This article considers the thesis that sexual assault may operate as a master offense among women, heightening their fear of other victimizations. Measures of fear and perceived risk of victimization from a national survey of adults are used to examine the shadow hypothesis across nine separate offenses. Fear of sexual assault substantially increases the explained variance in fear of personal crime, eliminating or reversing the gender difference. Fear of sexual assault also influences fear of property offenses, but its effect is smaller than for personal crimes. The results show that women are more afraid of all victimizations, but this is principally due to their perceived risk of such offenses and their fear of rape in everyday life

Conceptualizing Women's Fear of Sexual Assault on Campus

Sexual assault is increasingly recognized as an urgent and pervasive problem on university campuses. Women's fear of sexual assault is similarly significant and widespread. Growing university assault prevention efforts on campus have often over-looked the negative implications of women's fear. Depending on their onus of responsibility, university sexual assault prevention strategies may implicitly reinforce gendered social norms for public behavior by increasing women's fear in public spaces, with consequent detrimental effects for women's positive experience on campus. Based on a conceptualization of fear of sexual assault as a form of social control, this review discusses societal, individual, and university/campus factors (organizational, social, and especially physical) associated with women's fear of assault on campus. In conclusion, it suggests university assault prevention strategies that may also reduce women's fear.

Anthropology, Law, and Transnational Processes

ed, and disembodied one that was written (159, 160, 162). One of the recurring themes in the expansion of European colonial control through law was the surveillance exerted over sexual relationships (65). Mixed-union children challenged the boundaries drawn between colonizer and colonized and were frequently discouraged by anti-miscegenation laws (249). In order to control a subordinate group, it was essential to control women as well. Indeed, fear of sexual assault on the women of the dominant group by subordinated men was often mobilized to restrict the activities of these women and to justify policing the men (36, 98, 249). The judicial/policing apparatus was therefore a critical institution for constructing and maintaining the boundary between the colonial overlords and their subjects and was used to control sexuality and its disruptive influences. As Cooper & Stoler point out, imperial thinkers were preoccupied with the relations between subversion and sex (65:614). One contemporary manifestation of neo-colonialism is tourism, in which formerly colonial nationals reconstitute their formerly colonized subjects as primitive or exotic objects of investigation (165). The tourist's gaze constructs a world that the tourist imagines (262). This is a transnational phenomenon of increasing significance economically, culturally, and legally. The This content downloaded from 207.46.13.159 on Sun, 23 Oct 2016 05:01:04 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms