Q. 2
In the American society just as is the case in other societies, perceptions, attitudes, and reactions or response to rape and family or domestic violence victimization differ significantly in various respects. According to Siegel, when it comes to violent crimes such as rape and domestic violence, perceptions about victimization differ based on the offender and the victim’s gender (68). Further, Ben-David and Schneider claim that the attitudes and beliefs about gender roles influence perceptions on rape with the possible explanation being the belief in rape as a sexual act and socially accepted stereotypes about rape (389). Normally, the perceptions about rape and violence vary depending on whether the rapist or offender is male or female, with male offenders being associated with aggressive behaviors towards females and therefore more likely to be blamed for rape.
Further, views will also differ depending on whether the victim of rape or violence is a male or female. Where the victim is a female, the perceptions on rape and violence towards the victim are likely to be based on sexual attractiveness and exposure to violence or rape. Furthermore, research by Russell shows that sexual aggression or violence by women when directed towards male victims usually tend to be minimized while sexual assault or aggression by males direct at females tend to be magnified (86). The author argues that aggression or violence perpetrated by a female is usually perceived as being less serious, less aggressive, and therefore not likely to cause harm to the victim than violence by men. Social norms and stereotypes in the society are responsible. Based on perceptions, female victims of rape committed by males usually tend to receive more empathy than those perpetrated by females to females or males (Rusell 86).
Works Cited
Ben-David, Sarah, and Ofra Schneider. “Rape Perceptions, Gender Role Attitudes, and Victim- Perpetrator Acquaintance.” Sex Roles, vol. 53, no. 5/6 (2005), pp. 385-399
Russell, Brenda. Perceptions of Female Offenders: How Stereotypes and Social Norms Affect Criminal Justice Responses. Springer Science, 2013.
Siegel, Larry J. Criminology: The Core. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011.
