Browsing by Author "Nafuka, Ndeyapo E."
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Item An investigation into victim blaming, myths and attitudes towards rape among students at the University of Namibia(2012) Nafuka, Ndeyapo E.Rape myths serve to blame the victim, justify the perpetrator's actions, and discount the violence of rape (Burt, 1980; Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994). For perpetrators, these rape myths are thought to reduce the expected negative consequences of committing rape. As for society, it is clear that rape myth acceptance precedes rape and sexual aggression (Chapleau & Oswald, 2010). The primary purpose of this study was to examine the extent of support for rape myths among a sample of students at the University of Namibia and to establish whether there is any observable gender difference in this acceptance of rape myths. A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional research framework was adopted. A non-probability stratified convenience sample of 151 students was employed. A 20-item Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale was administered to assess overall how strongly the participants agreed with false rape stereotypes. The findings suggested that there is a tendency towards endorsing rape myths for at least some students. Male participants were found to agree slightly more than females, thus supporting the feminist premise that gender inequality perpetuates rape myths. Participants were also asked to read an acquaintance rape scenario and they had to rate the extent to which they felt the victim or the perpetrator was responsible. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the pattern of responses of male and female respondents. Gender seemed to make no difference with regard to the degree of victim blaming on the rape scenario. However, rape myth acceptance on the IRMA-SF scale was significantly associated with victim blaming. Considering that the respondents of the study are students pursing higher education and yet the majority held myths regarding rape, one wonders about the society at large. The overall findings suggest a need to provide more accurate information that will undo myths and by doing so curtail rape.Item Rape myths and victim blaming: A study of attitudes of university students in Namibia(University of Namibia, 2014) Nafuka, Ndeyapo E.; Shino, Elizabeth N.Rape myths serve to blame the victim, justify the perpetrator's actions, and discount the violence of rape. For perpetrators, these rape myths are thought to reduce the expected negative consequences of committing rape. It is believed that endorsement of rape myths might precede sexual aggression and rape. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the extent of endorsement for rape myths by a sample of university students and to establish whether there was any gender difference in this endorsement. A quantitative, descriptive and crosssectional research framework was adopted. A non-probability stratified convenience sample of 152 students was employed. The 20-item short-form of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA-SF) was administered to assess how strongly the participants agreed with rape myths overall. A rape vignette (acquaintance rape scenario) and an accompanying questionnaire were used to assess victim and perpetrator-blaming. The results suggested that at least some students tend towards endorsing some of the rape myths. Male participants endorsed rape myths slightly more than female participants. There were no statistically significant differences in the pattern of responses of male and female respondents regarding the rape vignette. Gender seemed to make no difference with regard to the degree of victim blaming on the acquaintance rape scenario. However, rape myth endorsement on the IRMA-SF scale was significantly associated with victim blaming. In light of the results indicating a presence of rape myth, suggestions are made for possible interventions to reduce rape myths. The overall findings suggest a need to provide more accurate information that will undo myths and by doing so reduce attitudes towards rape and other forms of sexual violence.