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Examining victim-blame and rape proclivity toward male sexual minority victims of rape

Project description

Rape against sexual minorities and victim-blaming

A European Commission report highlights increasing discrimination against sexual minorities, with many LGBT individuals experiencing hate speech and violence. Additionally, many rape incidents go unreported due to victim-blaming by bystanders. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the VictimPro project aims to investigate bystanders’ perspectives on rape, addressing a key gap in existing research. The project will examine victim-blaming and the factors contributing to the likelihood of rape toward heterosexual, bisexual and gay male victims. This interdisciplinary research, spanning psychology, criminology and victimology, aims to enhance victim support, reduce underreporting, identify at-risk groups and guide the development of effective prevention strategies. VictimPro aligns with the European Commission’s 2020-2025 strategy to combat discrimination and ensure the safety of LGBTQI individuals.

Objective

According to a recent report of the European Commission (EC), the feeling of discrimination among sexual minorities is rising, with
many experiencing hate speech and violence, including rape. An EU survey of LGBT individuals showed that many of rape incidences go underreported. Victim-blaming by bystanders has been considered as a key driver for why victims remain silent. While previous research has focused on victims’ experiences, there has been less attention on bystanders’ perspectives, despite their potential impact on victims. Therefore, my proposal will address this gap by examining bystanders’ perspectives regarding sexual minority victims of rape. VictimPro will examine the mechanism of victim-blame and the drives behind rape proclivity toward heterosexual, bisexual, and gay male victims of rape by testing the role of the defensive attribution and sexual attraction hypotheses. My research will adopt an interdisciplinary approach involving psychology, criminology, and victimology. The findings will contribute to improve victim support, reduce underreporting, identify vulnerable groups, and inform rape prevention programs. The methodological novelty of my project lies in proposing a model on the overlap between victim-blame-rape perpetration using advanced statistics. This model will deepen our understanding of the perceptions toward rape victims and can be tested with further research examining public perceptions toward other victims of rape. This project aligns with the EC's current strategy (2020-2025) to fight discrimination and ensure the safety of LGBTIQ people. Beyond the project’s timeliness, benefits, and innovative aspects, this fellowship will expand my theoretical and methodological expertise in the field of sexual violence, provide mobility experience as well as strengthen my international academic network and transferable skills essential for a successful academic career.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT GENT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 216 240,00
Address
SINT PIETERSNIEUWSTRAAT 25
9000 GENT
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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