Tasha A. Menaker

Commercially Sexually Exploited Girls and Participant Perceptions of Blameworthiness: Examining the Effects of Victimization History and Race Disclosure

Prostitution among female youth has been largely misunderstood, trivialized, or ignored. Increased attention has been directed toward juvenile female delinquency, particularly related to the overlap in their status as victims and offenders. Areas in this research continue to be underinvestigated, however, especially with regard to public perceptions of commercially sexually exploited girls. The current study used survey questionnaires to examine participant perceptions of the blameworthiness of a prostituted minor while considering her victimization history disclosure and race. Results indicate that victimization history disclosure significantly reduced perceptions of blameworthiness and reduced blameworthiness operated similarly for Caucasian and African American females forced into prostitution. Further research directions are discussed.

Expressed Sexual Assault Legal Context and Victim Culpability Attributions

Legal scholars have argued that laws have an expressive function, specifically that sexual assault laws may convey social-level messages that victims are culpable for crimes against them. In a university sample, we conducted the first experimental test of legal scholars’ proposal, hypothesizing that legal messages—specifically their clarity and effectiveness in conveying that sexual assault is a crime—affect victim culpability attributions. Results demonstrated that greater culpability was attributed to a victim of sexual assault within a context expressing unclear and ineffective sexual assault law than within a context clearly and effectively expressing that sexual assault is a crime. We also garnered empirical support for a mediation model, that is, negative affective reactions to a victim statistically accounted for the relationship between expressed legal context and victim culpability attributions. Implications for future psycholegal research and potential legal reforms are discussed.

Feminism, Status Inconsistency, and Women’s Intimate Partner Victimization in Heterosexual Relationships

This study used a random community sample of 303 women in romantic relationships to investigate the role of educational and employment status inconsistency and patriarchal family ideology as risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, while considering demographic factors and relationship context variables. Sequential multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated a decrease in the odds of IPV victimization for Hispanic women and women who were older as compared with their counterparts. In addition, increased relationship distress, family-of-origin violence, and employment status inconsistency significantly increased the odds of IPV. Clinical intervention strategies and future research directions are discussed.

Risk and Resiliency Factors That Mediate the Effect of Family-of-Origin Violence on Adult Intimate Partner Victimization and Perpetration

Abstract This study used a sample of 439 men and women with family-of-origin violence histories to investigate the risk and resiliency factors that mediate the effect of intimate partner violence (IPV). Two separate multivariate logistic regression models were estimated for IPV victimization and perpetration, respectively. Results indicate that (1) disagreement surrounding several relationship-related issues emerged as risk factors for victimization and perpetration, (2) subjects who reported both forms of family-of-origin violence were at greater risk of perpetrating IPV than those who reported only one form, and (3) multiple demographic factors protected against IPV. Clinical interventions and future research directions are discussed.

The Use of Forensic Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations Perceptions of Sex Crimes Investigators

Despite the potential value of DNA evidence for criminal investigations and prosecution, we have a limited understanding of the way forensic evidence is used and its impact on case outcomes. This study uses qualitative data to describe the way investigators from the Houston Police Department use DNA evidence during investigations of sexual assaults. Results show DNA evidence has limited influence during investigations, and the value of DNA evidence is shaped by other evidentiary factors. The findings provide insight into the utility of DNA evidence, instances when DNA evidence is least and most useful, the importance of DNA evidence in comparison with other evidence, and the likely aggregate impact of DNA evidence across sexual assault cases.

Gendered violence and victim blame: subject perceptions of blame and the appropriateness of services for survivors of domestic sex trafficking, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence

The last decade has seen advances in both scholarship and advocacy efforts regarding the domestic sex trafficking (DST) of women and children, culminating in federal and state legislation addressing this human rights issue. Despite these advances, prostituted women and girls continue to face stigma and blame for victimization, similar to female survivors of other forms of gendered violence, specifically intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault. Studies have yet to fully explore perceptions of DST as it intersects with these forms of gendered violence, particularly with regard to victim and perpetrator culpability. The current study uses a student sample of survey questionnaires to examine subject perceptions of gendered violence, with a focus on victim and perpetrator blame and appropriate social service responses for victims of DST, sexual assault, and IPV. Future research directions and policy implications are discussed.

The Impact of Observer Characteristics on Blame Assessments of Prostituted Female Youth

Currently, two studies have examined perceptions of prostituted youth and factors associated with negative assessments. The male- and majority-race nature of criminal justice agencies and research on rape victim culpability attributions underscores the importance of addressing perceptions of this population as paramount to effective intervention. This research used 357 student survey responses to investigate observer characteristics correlated with blameworthiness assessments. Findings demonstrated sexist attitudes and observer race correlated with blameworthiness directed toward prostituted youth with no victimization history disclosure, and prostitution myth adherence and observer childhood abuse correlated with blameworthiness directed toward prostituted youth whose victimization history was disclosed. Research and policy implications are discussed.

The Victim as Witness: Strategies for Increasing Credibility Among Rape Victim-Witnesses in Court

Victim-witnesses are largely overlooked in research of witness credibility and preparation. This paper addresses this issue in regard to female victims of sexual assault, as they are at particular risk for negative juror perceptions and attributions of blame. Witness preparation practices and characteristics of effective testimony are briefly reviewed. Strategies to increase rape victim–witness competency, credibility, and well-being while testifying are described. Specific attention is given to the importance of attorney-victim collaboration, witness education, and the role of emotion management. Directions for future research are discussed.

Feminist Routine Activity Theory and Sexual Assault Victimization: Estimating Risk by Perpetrator Tactic Among Sorority Women

ABSTRACT The present study investigated sexual assault risk among sorority women enrolled at a Northwestern university. Bivariate comparisons were made between 282 women and demonstrated significant risk for unwanted sex facilitated by verbal coercion, as well as completed rape as a result of threats or force for sorority women compared with nonaffiliates. The subsample of 89 sorority women was then assessed to examine risk factors for sexual assault victimization. Separate multivariate binary logistic regression models were estimated for verbal coercion resulting in unwanted sex, intoxicated sexual assault, and completed rape as a result of threats or force. Results revealed that number of lifetime consensual sex partners was positively and significantly correlated with all three forms of sexual victimization, as was more frequent attendance at weekly coed Greek-sponsored events among sorority women. In addition, sorority women with friends who peer-pressured them to have sex with fraternity men faced increased odds of intoxicated sexual assault compared with counterparts. Implications for prevention and future research are discussed.

University and Community Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors: Familiarity With and Use of Services Among College Students

ABSTRACT Scholars have highlighted the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses. Universities are generally equipped to address victimization through a range of resources, including counseling and psychological services. These resources are instrumental for posttrauma recovery, but students must be aware of and willing to use available services. This study used a sample of 505 survey responses collected at a mid-sized, public, Southern university regarding community and campus resource knowledge, familiarity, and service use. The majority of participants were unaware of resources. Females reported increased community resource familiarity compared to males. Multivariate models revealed distress disclosure, sexual victimization history, and race were significant predictors of service use but criminal justice major and law enforcement career plans were not significant. Implications are discussed.