A Gendered Study of the Shadow of Sexual Assault: The Impacts of Precaution and Self-Efficacy

• In Event: Perspectives on Online & Offline Victimization: Research using the 2021 Reactions to Crime Survey

Abstract

Women are consistently found to have greater fear of crime relative to men despite lower probability of victimization, excluding risk for sexual victimization. Women’s elevated fear of crime has been attributed to women’s specific fear of sexual assault. The shadow of sexual assault hypothesis argues that women’s fear of sexual assault makes the fear of other crimes more salient. This paper supports prior research into the notion of the shadow of sexual assault and extends it by exploring women who do not experience the shadow and men who do. Additionally, the impacts of self-efficacy and precautionary behaviors on fear and risk evaluation are explored through a gendered lens. This study uses the Reactions to Crime 2021 survey data collected through YouGov (N=1500) and multivariate regression analysis to test the shadow of sexual assault hypothesis, as well as the moderation effects of self-efficacy and precautionary behaviors. Further, the moderated effect of self-efficacy and precautionary behaviors are compared by gender. Results are discussed in light of the Enhanced Assessment, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) program to prevent sexual assault and its potential to impact the wellbeing of potential victims beyond the reduced risk of sexual victimization.

Author

• Gwyneth Evans, Pennsylvania State University