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"But Some People Still Think That Men Cannot be Raped": A Qualitative Study on Portuguese Judges' Perceptions
Eunice Carmo1, Daniel Cardoso2,3, Nélio Brazão4
1Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Summary
Portuguese judges hold contradictory views on sexual violence by women against men (SVWM), influenced by gender stereotypes and rape myths despite supporting gender-neutral laws. Further research and training are needed.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Limited empirical research exists on judicial perceptions of sexual violence perpetrated by women against men (SVWM).
- Understanding judicial perspectives is crucial for addressing potential biases in the justice system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the perceptions of Portuguese judges regarding SVWM.
- To provide a preliminary understanding of how judges interpret and handle cases of SVWM.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory qualitative study utilizing framework analysis.
- Interviews were conducted with eight Portuguese judges in 2020.
Main Results:
- Judges' accounts frequently centered on gender and alcohol, influencing discussions on consent, motivations, and impact.
- Narratives revealed a tension between gender-neutral legal ideals and the persistence of gender stereotypes and male rape myths.
- Judges' limited direct experience with SVWM cases shaped their perspectives and highlighted justice system challenges.
Conclusions:
- Judicial narratives demonstrated contradictions between adherence to gender stereotypes/male rape myths and support for gender-neutral rape laws.
- These findings underscore the need for further investigation into how gender bias affects SVWM cases.
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