RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 1 BEWARE OF BIAS: RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE AMONGST SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ___________________________________________ A Thesis Presented to The Honors Tutorial College Ohio University ____________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for Graduation From the Honors Tutorial College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Social Work ___________________________________________ By Heather M. Lambert April 2021 RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 2 Approval Page This thesis has been approved by The Honors Tutorial College and the Department of Social Work _________________________________ Dr. Sarah Garlington Assistant Professor, Social Work Thesis Advisor _________________________________ Dr. Jennifer Shadik Director of Studies, Social Work _________________________________ Dr. Donal Skinner Dean, Honors Tutorial College RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 3 Acknowledgements I have several individuals to thank for aiding me with this project and making it such a success. I thank Dr. Solveig Spjeldnes, my former Director of Studies, for supporting me during the bulk of my undergraduate career and providing me with a foundation of research. Dean Skinner, Assistant Dean Beth Novak, and Cary Roberts Frith for believing in my project, advocating for it, and offering guidance when needed. Dr. Patty Stokes for tutoring me, even though it meant an additional tutorial for her, to help the development and background of my project. My current Director of Studies, Dr. Jenny Shadik, for her guidance and assistance over the last year. I especially thank Dr. Sarah Garlington, my wonderful advisor who answered all of my questions, supported me through the rough patches, and always believed in my capabilities as a researcher and student. Finally, I thank my participants for taking the time to meet with me and their dedication to social work and helping others. RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 4 Table of Contents APPROVAL PAGE………………………………………………………………………. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………. 3 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………... 6 LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………… 7 RAPE CULTURE…………………………………………………………………………. 7 Issues of Consent…………………………………………………………………….. 8 Rape Myths…………………………………………………………………………. 10 CULTURE, VALUES, AND PERCEPTIONS………………………………………………... 15 University as Culture……………………………………………………………….. 16 The Culture of Appalachia…………………………………………………………. 18 THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION………………………………………………………. 20 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK………………………………………………………. 23 SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION THEORY……………………………………………………… 23 Gender Norms……………………………………………………………………….25 Rape Culture………………………………………………………………………... 27 Sense of Place………………………………………………………………………. 30 METHODS……………………………………………………………………………… 32 PROPOSITION…………………………………………………………………………... 32 SAMPLING AND RECRUITMENT…………………………………………………………33 INSTRUMENT…………………………………………………………………………... 33 DATA COLLECTION……………………………………………………………………. 34 DATA ANALYSIS………………………………………………………………………. 35 RESULTS……………………………………………………………………………….. 36 PARTICIPANT CHARACTERISTICS……………………………………………………….36 DEFINITIONS……………………………………………………………………………37 MEASURES OF RMA…………………………………………………………………... 38 SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION…………………………………………………………… 39 APPALACHIA AND RMA………………………………………………………………..42 DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………………………… 42 SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS AND THE COMPONENTS OF RAPE CULTURE………………... 43 Definitions and Language…………………………………………………………...43 Discussions of Consent……………………………………………………………...46 Gender Norms and Patriarchy……………………………………………………… 47 Rape Myths…………………………………………………………………………. 50 SOCIAL WORK AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE………………………………………………..52 SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS AND APPALACHIAN IDENTITY……………………………… 55 RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 5 LIMITATIONS…………………………………………………………………………... 57 FUTURE RESEARCH……………………………………………………………………. 58 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………….. 59 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………….. 61 APPENDIX A…………………………………………………………………………… 74 APPENDIX B…………………………………………………………………………… 75 APPENDIX C…………………………………………………………………………… 76 APPENDIX D…………………………………………………………………………… 78 RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 6 Beware of Bias: Rape Myth Acceptance Amongst Social Work Students One in five women experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes with 43.6% of these women experiencing this during their adulthood and 20% victimized during college (Krebs et al., 2007; Smith et al., 2018). The risk of rape is four times higher for women aged 16 to 24, traditionally college-aged women (Black et al., 2000). Sexual violence has implications for individual and public health due to the potential long-term physical and mental consequences for survivors (Baldwin-White & Elias- Lambert, 2016; Freyd & Birrell, 2013; Smith et al., 2018). Statistically, women are more likely to be the victims of rape (Smith et al., 2018); therefore, this study focused on myths that portray women as victims even though men and nonbinary individuals can also be survivors of sexual violence. The prevalence of sexual violence amongst college students is impacted by the acceptance of rape myths (Baldwin-White & Elias-Lambert, 2016; Brownmiller, 1975; Chiroro, Bohner, Viki, & Jarvis, 2004; Horsman & Cormack, 2018). Rape myths are defined as underlying cultural beliefs that promote violence against women (Brownmiller, 1975; Edwards et al., 2011). Previous studies found that most college students accept some combination of rape myths (Baldwin-White & Elias-Lambert, 2016; Edwards et al., 2011). Social workers encounter survivors of sexual assault regardless of which population they serve. For this reason, social work professionals and students need to be aware of rape myths and the risks of providers internalizing these beliefs poses to the clients. This is especially true because social workers are part of the social institutions RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 7 that advocate for victims and provide services to help with the psychological and physical consequences of rape. This study sought to address gaps in the literature regarding the attitudes and contexts of social work students’ rape myth acceptance (RMA) at a university in Appalachia. The results will contribute to larger conversations about internalized bias and self-awareness amongst social work students and professionals and general knowledge of core concepts related to RMA considering the influence of the Appalachian region. Literature Review Sexual assault and rape are much more complex issues beyond physical force and harm. Rape myths, underlying culture beliefs promoting violence against women, and their acceptance contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence (Brownmiller, 1975; Edwards et al., 2011). The acceptance of rape myths is most studied amongst college students with previous literature examining RMA and demographics, belief systems, and organization affiliation (Edwards et al., 2011; Haywood & Swank, 2008; Vandiver & Dupalo, 2013; Worthen & Wallace, 2017). However, there is little research on this subject concerning social work students and students from Appalachia. Rape Culture Rape culture is defined as broad cultural attitudes regarding sexuality, sex, and gender that influence attitudes about rape while assuming that sexual violence is an inevitable fact of life for women (Brownmiller, 1975; Buchwald et al., 1993; Edwards et al., 2011; Rozee & Koss, 2001). Rape culture is the culmination and continuation of gender norms, microaggressions, patriarchal structures, and rape myths. Rape culture RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 8 exists because individuals believe that rape is part of life and policies, programs, and other structures do not challenge this norm (Danielson et al., 2013). The legal definition of rape is: completed or attempted unwanted vaginal (for women), oral, or anal penetration through the use of physical force (such as being pinned or held down, or by the use of violence) or threats to physically harm and includes times when the victim was drunk, high, drugged, or passed out and unable to consent. (Smith et al., 2018, p. 1) This definition is focused on physical violence and excludes, therefore discredits, the power and control aspects of rape. If the assault does not fit the criteria of what is specified in the legal definition, it will not hold up in a court proceeding (Muehlenhard & Kimes, 1999). Survivors also contribute to the definition of rape in how they classify their own experiences (Muehlenhard & Kimes, 1999). Vivid stereotypes regarding rape that stem from the media, laws, and social interactions are a barrier to survivors defining their experiences as sexual assault due to their experiences not matching the perceptions (Muehlenhard & Kimes, 1999). In the following sections, components of rape culture including consent, rape myths, and demographics are explored. Issues of Consent Sexual assault is “…nonconsensual sexual activity obtained through force or threats, verbal coercion, or intoxication,” (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013, p. 517). Consent is what separates assault from healthy sexual encounters (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013; Klement et al., 2017). Hickman and Muehlenhard (1999) defined consent as a contract to RAPE MYTH ACCEPTANCE 9 engage in sexual activity without coercion. However, a consistent definition of consent does not exist in the research (Beres, 2007; Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013). Consent, especially for college-aged individuals, ranged from verbal to nonverbal cues (Hickman & Muehlenhard, 1999; Jozkowski, 2011; Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013). Despite the awareness of consent on college campuses, conversations of consent prior to sexual interactions are not regularly occurring