Campus Rape Culture: Identity and Myths

197 Pages·2021·2.578 MB·English

by  Jennifer L. Huck

CAMPUS RAPE CULTURE
This book looks at rape myths and rape culture within the university environ-
ment, examining the development of social identities in the creation and support
of such culture. Building on a four-year research project, this book demonstrates
how an understanding of rape culture and of the falsity of rape myths amongst
students and staff at university is often at odds with an understanding of the de-
gree to which sexual assaults take place, and of why they take place.
This book explores how traditionally held beliefs of sex roles between men
and women, poor conceptions of consent processes, lack of available data, and an
inability to see the full continuum of sexual assault limit the knowledge of sexual
assaults inside the university community. Taken together the studies demonstrate
how socialized social identities of masculinity and femininity hold power in how
consent, sexual assaults, and sexual behaviors manifest through cultural values
of rape myths and hook-ups. Universities are challenged to examine their sexual
assault programming in connection to Title IX and beyond to create educational
opportunities about rape culture and rape myths suitable for their students, fac-
ulty, and staff.
Written in a clear and direct style, this is essential reading for all those engaged
in research about rape culture, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Jennifer L. Huck is an associate professor at Carroll University in Wisconsin.
She obtained her doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Crimi-
nology. She has worked in the criminal justice system as a legal assistant in prose-
cutorial and defense, and as a case manager for the Milwaukee Municipal Court.
Her research interests include aspects of criminal justice policy and theory in
connection with university students, women, and juveniles.
“Huck examines rape culture and rape myth acceptance in higher education
through a series of studies. Currently, many in college and university settings are
seeking to combat these issues in a meaningful way. If acted on appropriately,
findings from this collection should help college and university communities be-
come safer and protect their most vulnerable populations from sexual violence.”
Jason D. Spraitz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal
Justice, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
“In a time when rape culture is more dominant than ever, this book dispels
myths and exposes the reality of this issue. Huck poses many questions through-
out, making even the most avid researcher question their own inherent biases.
This book is a must for any college student, and honestly all of society.”
Katie Ely, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,
Lock Haven University
“Huck takes the reader on an educational journey, for all levels, through the
varying sections of our culture, specifically highlighting important taboo top-
ics of sexual assaults and rape culture. Through the use of pivotal research and
thought-provoking questions, Huck positively challenges our cultural norms in
hopes to solicit a critical cultural shift.”
Tiarra Irish, LPC-IT, NCC, Catalpa Health and Wellness
“With a thorough presentation of original, mixed-methodology research, Huck
presents a deeper study of the circumstances that promote sexual assaults oc-
curring on college and university campuses. Her examination of rape myths is
grounded in theory that combines an understanding of feminism, culture, and
identity and challenges existing systems of belief.”
Daniel Lee, Ph.D, Full Professor of Criminology, Indiana
University of Pennsylvania
“With a laser focus on getting to the root causes, Jennifer Huck presents a crit-
ically important, much-needed, and participant-centered call to action for all
universities to go beyond short educational programming on sexual assault to
initiating an action-oriented dialogue and creating a lasting blueprint on how to
‘chip away at rape culture’s hold.’ Jennifer Huck’s work is not only a must-read
for all those working at the university level, but all those who wish to ‘move into
identities of love, empathy, and compassion,’ as she so eloquently puts it.”
Kate E. Masley, Ph.D., Medical Anthropologist and Special
Lecturer in Health Sciences, Oakland University
CAMPUS RAPE CULTURE
Identity and Myths
Jennifer L. Huck
First published 2022
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2022 Jennifer L. Huck
The right of Jennifer L. Huck to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other
means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-0-367-48306-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-48307-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-03921-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by codeMantra
CONTENTS
List of figures vii
List of tables ix
Introduction 1
1 Interpreting the necessities: social identity,
rape culture, and rape myths 12
2 Building rape myth perceptions – university community 35
3 Deconstructing student confusion and bewilderment 77
4 Creating identity in roles, statuses, and characteristics 104
5 Opening the university culture 127
Conclusion 156
Research notes 165
Appendices 171
Index 185

FIGURES
2.1 Total rape myth scale items divided into sub-scales of rape myths 42
3.1 Definitions used in studies 84
5.1 Perceptions of sexual assault and programming 140
5.2 Perceptions of fear in participants’ residences 141

TABLES
2.1 Study 3 Spring 2016 Survey Items Responses, Percentages
and Means 43
2.2 Study 3 Spring 2016 Survey IRMA Scale 44
2.3 Independent T-tests of Scales Mean Differences in Study 3 46
2.4 Study 6 Fall 2017 Survey IRMA Items Responses,
Percentages and Means 47
2.5 Study 6 Fall 2017 Survey IRMA Scale 48
2.6 Study 7 Spring 2018 IRMA Items Responses, Percentages
and Means 50
2.7 Study 7 Spring 2018 IRMA Scale, Neutral Category Present 51
2.8 Study 9 Fall 2019 Rape Myth Percentages and Means 52
2.9 Study 9 Fall 2019 Survey IRMA Scale Means 53
2.10 Study 3 Spring 2016 IRMA Typical and Dichotomous Measures 54
2.11 Percentage of Combined Agreement in Studies 56
2.12 Percentage of Combined Disagreement in Studies 57
2.13 Study 4 Spring 2016 Faculty/Staff Survey Individual Items
Percentages and Means 69
2.14 Study 4 Spring 2016 Faculty/Staff Survey IRMA Scale 70
4.1 Independent T-tests of Scale Mean Differences for Identity
Variables, Study 3 110
4.2 Regression Analysis of Identity Variables in Study 9 115
4.3 Regression Analysis of Identity Variables in Study 3 116
4.4 Regression Analysis of Identity Variables in Study 6 116
5.1 Study 10 Fall 2019 IRMA Individual Items Percentages
and Means 129
5.2 Study 10 Fall 2019 IRMA Scales 130
5.3 Study 10 Spring 2020 Survey Scales 130