Rape Myth Acceptance by Police: An Underlying Cause for Rise in Number of Unreported Cases of Sexual Assault

This study involves an analysis about rape myth acceptance by police as an underlying cause for unreported sexual assault cases throughout the world. Although the extent of women empowerment, gendered expectations, gender equality gap, rate of VAW and responding attitudes of survivors varies due to diverse traditional and cultural values. The aim of this research paper is to examine rape myth acceptance to the better understanding of police responses to sexual assault reports. The study also discusses various methods and techniques used by police officials of different countries while dealing and investigating sexual assault victims. The research is conducted through qualitative research methodology. Relevant data is collected by the analysis of available research work, reading materials and statistics of various countries relating to the problem. Inference as to this underlying cause has been drawn on the basis of information collected from observations and thorough study of the available literature and reports on the matter under discussion. The research would be highly significant in finding out the suitable solutions to deal with the problem with possible recommendations for policy-makers and the concerned departments for capacity building and skills development of relevant police officials and their training to investigate such issues in an appropriate way overcoming their traditional victim-blaming and patriarchal attitudes