Reconsidering Forced Labels: Outcomes of Sexual Assault Survivors Versus Victims (and Those Who Choose Neither). (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williamson, Jessica; Serna, Kelly
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 24:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: self-compassion -- sexual assault; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801217711268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

The goal of the current study was to assess the effects of self-labeling on attitudes related to victim- and self-blaming and self-compassion outcomes in 85 participants (75 women, 10 men) who have experienced sexual assault. Participants classified themselves as either a survivor, victim, or neither survivor nor victim of sexual assault. Regardless of self-classification, groups did not differ in victim-blaming (rape myth acceptance), self-blaming, or levels of self-compassion. Implications for language and forced labels of those who have experienced sexual assault are discussed.