Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia

Sexual violence is a major social and public health problem in various sectors of society including institutions of higher education. Several measures have been put in place to combat the vice; however, it continues to prevail in various sectors of society. The study investigated the extent of Rape...

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Main Authors: Lukwesa Christina Musonda, Hanson Chishimba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27707571.2024.2365450
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author Lukwesa Christina Musonda
Hanson Chishimba
author_facet Lukwesa Christina Musonda
Hanson Chishimba
author_sort Lukwesa Christina Musonda
collection DOAJ
description Sexual violence is a major social and public health problem in various sectors of society including institutions of higher education. Several measures have been put in place to combat the vice; however, it continues to prevail in various sectors of society. The study investigated the extent of Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA) among undergraduate students and determines the relationship between demographic factors, awareness of campus sexual violence, and rape myth acceptance. A mixed method approach was used and data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Using the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMAS), the study has revealed that the students endorsed rape myths in subtle ways. The study also found that there were statistically significant differences in levels of RMA between gender, year of study, and knowing someone who was sexually harassed and RMA. There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of RMA based on attending a sexual violence workshop and knowing someone who was raped and RMA and there was no correlation between age and RMA. The study recommends the implementation of targeted education programs that challenge subtle rape myths, tailored to different genders and year levels and establish peer education initiatives and provide continuous monitoring to adapt strategies effectively.
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spelling doaj-art-3f4c2da704bb497282bc360d333a20c52025-08-20T02:33:24ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Public Health2770-75712024-12-0111110.1080/27707571.2024.2365450Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of ZambiaLukwesa Christina Musonda0Hanson Chishimba1University of ZambiaUniversity of ZambiaSexual violence is a major social and public health problem in various sectors of society including institutions of higher education. Several measures have been put in place to combat the vice; however, it continues to prevail in various sectors of society. The study investigated the extent of Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA) among undergraduate students and determines the relationship between demographic factors, awareness of campus sexual violence, and rape myth acceptance. A mixed method approach was used and data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Using the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMAS), the study has revealed that the students endorsed rape myths in subtle ways. The study also found that there were statistically significant differences in levels of RMA between gender, year of study, and knowing someone who was sexually harassed and RMA. There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of RMA based on attending a sexual violence workshop and knowing someone who was raped and RMA and there was no correlation between age and RMA. The study recommends the implementation of targeted education programs that challenge subtle rape myths, tailored to different genders and year levels and establish peer education initiatives and provide continuous monitoring to adapt strategies effectively.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27707571.2024.2365450Rape mythsrape culturesexual violenceJoe Thomas, Institute of Health and Management, AustraliaGeneral SciencePostmodernism of Cultural Theory
spellingShingle Lukwesa Christina Musonda
Hanson Chishimba
Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
Cogent Public Health
Rape myths
rape culture
sexual violence
Joe Thomas, Institute of Health and Management, Australia
General Science
Postmodernism of Cultural Theory
title Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
title_full Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
title_fullStr Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
title_full_unstemmed Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
title_short Rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the University of Zambia
title_sort rape myth acceptance among undergraduate students at the university of zambia
topic Rape myths
rape culture
sexual violence
Joe Thomas, Institute of Health and Management, Australia
General Science
Postmodernism of Cultural Theory
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27707571.2024.2365450
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