Rape myth acceptance and fear of sexual victimization on college campuses

Numerous studies have identified individual characteristics associated with fear of crime and more specifically, fear of sexual assault. Research often focuses on the relationship between sex and fear of crime with findings consistently demonstrating that women are more fearful of being victimized compared to men (Lane et al., 2009). Scholars have attempted to explain this heightened level of fear by employing numerous theoretical explanations, including the shadow of sexual assault hypothesis. However, few studies have considered how other factors beyond demographic and situational characteristics influence fear of sexual assault. Notably, individual perceptions and beliefs about rape, including rape myths have been under-explored. The current study adds to existing literature by examining the influence of male rape myth acceptance (MRMA) on fear of sexual assault among a college student sample while controlling for individual demographics. Specifically, the current study aimed to explore if/how both individual-level characteristics and MRMA influenced student’s fear sexual assault and/or impacted their behavior. Multivarate analyses revealed higher odds of females feeling unsafe on campus, and fearing sexual assault from both stranger and known offender when compared to males. Higher odds of those who reported a past sexual assault victimization feeling unsafe on campus, and fearing sexual assault from both stranger and known offender. Higher odds of non-whites feeling unsafe on campus, and fearing sexual assault from both stranger and known offender when compared to whites. Higher odds of females and LGBQ students avoiding places on campus out of concern of being victimized