Verkragtingsmites

Abstract

Verkragting, 'n toenemende misdaad, word deur verskeie mites omring. Die doel van die navorsing was om verkragtingsmites te beskryf en oak om vas te stel of daar 'n verskil tussen mans en vroue bestaan betreffende die aanvaarding van die verkragtingsmites. 'n Verkennende studie van bestaande literatuur het aan die lig gebring dat die gemeenskap, polisie, hofamptenare, mediese personeel en die media bepaalde wanvoorstellings aangaande verkragting het. Om die bestaan van verkragtingsmites te bewys, is 'n kwantitatiewe studie uitgevoer wat 136 mans en 165 vroue se persepsies oar verkragtingsmites getoets het. Statisties-beduidende verskille tussen die geslagte is aangeteken. Die resultate van die navorsing dui daarop dat mans en vroue die mite aanvaar dat verkragting 'n seksuele eerder as 'n geweldsmisdaad is. Verder blyk dit duidelik dat vroue meer geneig is om verkragtingsmites te aanvaar wat hul slagoffervatbaarheid kan verhoog.

Rape, an increasing crime is surrounded by various myths. The aim of this research was to describe these myths and also to establish whether or not men and women differ with regard to the acceptance thereof. An exploratory study revealed that society, the police, court officials, medical staff and the media have certain misconceptions with regard to rape. To prove the existence of these myths a quantitative study with 136 males and 165 females was undertaken during which their perceptions pertaining to rape myths were tested. Statistically significant differences were noted. Research results indicated that men and women accept the myth that rape is a sexual rather than a violent crime. It furthermore became evident that women are more inclined to accept rape myths which in tum increase their victim vulnerability.