Rape Myth Acceptance in Indian Adults: A Demographic Analysis

Abstract

This study seeks to identify the demographic variables that are related to rape myth acceptance (RMA) among young adults in India. Adding to the scarce body of research on the subject of rape myth acceptance in India, this study draws on research that was conducted on a sample of 1000 adults, the majority of whom were women (Fn = 660, Mn = 340). Age, marital status, and a personal history of victimisation were found to be associated with the nature of rape myth acceptance (high and low RMA) among young adults. Gender, qualifications, and occupation were not linked to RMA. However, even with a smaller number of male participants in the study, a larger share of people with a high RMA was found among men than women. The highest rates above the average RMA were found among people in the 30–35 age group, people with an Mphil/PhD, people whose occupation was in the field of business, and participants who were married. A personal history of sexual victimisation was found to be associated with RMA, but most participants who had no personal history of victimisation had a higher RMA than those participants who had a history of being sexually victimized.