Rape Myth Acceptance and Potential Impacts on Campus Policies and Programs
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Rape Myth Acceptance and Potential Impacts on Campus Policies and Programs Jilleian K. Sessions-Stackhouse Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Administration Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Jilleian Sessions-Stackhouse has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Lori Demeter, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Mi Young Lee, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Meena Clowes, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Rape Myth Acceptance and Potential Impacts on Campus Policies and Programs by Jilleian Sessions-Stackhouse MA, Webster University, 2005 BS, South Carolina State University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Social and Behavioral Science Public Policy and Administration Walden University January 2021 Abstract Sexual assault has been a growing concern for many years, and researchers have used rape myth acceptance to understand how blame is assessed as well as to develop effective prevention programs to deter the crime. Rape myths are obstacles to successful program and prevention efforts. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore potential connections between rape myth acceptance of collegiate level staff and the impact this knowledge can have on developing effective campus sexual assault prevention policies and programs. The theoretical framework of this study drew from evolution theory. The previously validated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale-Short Form (IRMA-SF) was used for data collection to understand the perceptions of collegiate staff on their awareness of rape myth acceptance. This survey was completed by 126 full-time staff at southeastern private university. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the relationship of the dependent and independent variables. Findings indicated that the higher the levels of knowledge regarding sexual assault of collegiate level staff, the higher or more likely they were to agree that their university does an adequate job of making me aware of its sexual assault policy and programs. The potential for positive social change includes increasing insight into rape myth acceptance and how it may impact development of future effective campus sexual assault prevention policies and programs. Rape Myth Acceptance and Potential Impacts on Campus Policies and Programs by Jilleian Sessions-Stackhouse MA, Webster University, 2005 BS, South Carolina State University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Social and Behavioral Science Public Policy and Administration Walden University January 2021 Dedication I dedicate this study to my awesome family, thank you for your patience, love and support through this tedious journey; I want to give a huge thank you to my mother Lilly Faye. You were my biggest cheerleader and even though God called you home before my completion, I know you are proud of me. To my husband Franklin, you are my soulmate, best friend and biggest supporter. Thank you for keeping me encouraged when I wanted to quit and picking me up every time, I doubted myself. I love you endlessly, YATO. To my three heat beats, Kaleb, Kelsey, and Kade, I hope my journey inspires you to dream big and never give up. Know that if you believe in yourself there is nothing you can’t do. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Lori Demeter for your patience, support, and sternness when I needed it the most. With you as chair there is no way a student could not succeed. I would also like to thank all the Walden faculty and staff that kept me encouraged and supported. I would also like to thank Dr. Stephanie Helms Pickett; without you I would have not been able to complete this study. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................3 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................7 Purpose of this Study .....................................................................................................8 Research Questions and Hypothesis ............................................................................10 Theoretical Framework of the Study ...........................................................................11 Evolution Theory .........................................................................................................12 Nature of Study ............................................................................................................13 Definitions....................................................................................................................15 Assumptions .................................................................................................................17 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................17 Limitations .........................................................................................................................18 Significance..................................................................................................................18 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................19 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................21 Introduction ..................................................................................................................21 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................23 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................24 History of Rape Theories .............................................................................................25 i Evolution Theory .........................................................................................................26 Illinois Rape Myth Acceptace Scale (IRMA) ..............................................................27 History of Sexual Violence ..........................................................................................29 Sex Reform ........................................................................................................... 30 Perceptions of Sexual Assault ......................................................................................32 Media’s Influence on Rape Myth ......................................................................... 33 Rape Culture ................................................................................................................36 Lay Theories Approach......................................................................................... 37 Just World Theory................................................................................................. 37 Gender Beliefs .............................................................................................................38 Male Rape ............................................................................................................. 39 Sexual Attitudes ...........................................................................................................40 Sexism 41 Legislation..........................................................................................................................43 Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) ......................................43 The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy Act of 1990 (Clery Act) ..................................................................................................................44 The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) ....................................................... 44 Rise of Sexual Violence ...............................................................................................46 Prevalence of College Sexual Assaults ................................................................. 47 Campus Practices ...............................................................................................................48 Prevention Programming .....................................................................................