Gender stereotypes in secondary victimization: Examining the ?normalization? of non-normative rape

The proposed project seeks to increase insight into the extent and the way in which the (non-)normativity of rape impacts observers? negative reactions to rape victims, with an eye to contributing to the understanding of secondary victimization. In particular it concerns the contradiction with gender stereotypes and the reaction to masculine, male rape victims. It does so in a series of experimental, randomized, vignette-based studies, with implicit measures as the main outcome variables. It examines the role of disgust and the impact of victim demeanor following victimization on observers? reactions and the cognitive strategies observers adopt to resolve experienced distress.