Examining the understanding of consent within rape by people who hold a position of power and the effects this has on reporting

Durham, Alice (2018) Examining the understanding of consent within rape by people who hold a position of power and the effects this has on reporting. MSc(Res) thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This study is investigating the use of coercion and threats to get people to engage in unwanted sexual activity and whether participants view this as rape, and if they would report it. It specifically looks at gender differences within the seriousness and reporting and if there is a correlation between participants telling anyone and reporting the incident to the police. It also investigates the correlation between likelihood to report and how serious people think the incident is and how much they believe it is rape or sexual harassment. A vignette was used outlining a workplace sexual harassment scenario, that escalations from part 1 to 5 and ends with the victim being coerced into unwanted sexual intercourse. It includes both a condition with a male victim and female perpetrator and a condition with a female victim and a male perpetrator. There were no significant gender differences found within reporting or seriousness. Positive and significant correlations were found for the likelihood of reporting and sexual harassment, rape and seriousness. There was also a correlation found for the likelihood of reporting the incident to the police and the likelihood of telling anyone. The study has highlighted issues surrounding the under-reporting of sexual assault when sexual coercion is used and how the legal definition of sex crimes could impact this, especially for male victims. It has also drawn attention to future research needed to gain a better understanding of sex crimes and levels of reporting.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MSc(Res))
Supervisors: Duff, Simon
Keywords: Rape; Sexual violence; Reporting; Rape victims; Prejudice
Subjects: H Social sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Item ID: 55386
Depositing User: Durham, Alice
Date Deposited: 08 Apr 2019 12:24
Last Modified: 07 May 2020 13:47
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/55386

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