Effect of Bisexuality on Attributions of Blame in Cases of Sexual Assault

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Research on victim blame has traditionally focused on the impact of observer, victim, perpetrator, and assault characteristics. Observer homophobia, victim sexuality, perpetrator and victim gender, and observer identification with the victim and perpetrator have all been found to have an effect on attributions of blame, but the effect of observer sexuality is understudied. Recent research, focusing on gay men, lesbian women, and heterosexual men and women, has found that sexuality does have a significant influence on victim blame. Bisexuality, however, has not yet been studied. To close this gap in the literature, this study investigated the ways in which bisexual people attribute blame. Self-identified bisexual men and women read a brief online vignette depicting an acquaintance rape and then completed an online survey measuring victim blame, perpetrator blame, and related variables. The results were then compared to data for gay men, lesbian women, heterosexual men, and heterosexual women.

Authors

• Olivia Mann, University of South Dakota

• Bridget Diamond-Welch, University of South Dakota

• Melissa Bass, University of South Dakota