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Rape Acknowledgement, Blame Attributions and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among College Students
Kate Walsh1, Kelly Cue Davis2, Jessalynn Ellis3
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Many survivors do not acknowledge rape incidents. Acknowledging rape is linked to more self-blame and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, highlighting the need for support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- A significant number of rape survivors do not identify their experiences as rape.
- Rape acknowledgement is linked to negative outcomes, including posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms.
- Previous research has limitations, often using small, single-gender samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of unacknowledged rape.
- To examine associations between rape acknowledgement and demographic factors.
- To investigate the relationship between rape acknowledgement, blame attributions, and PTS symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 334 college students reporting rape since age 14.
- Analysis of demographic characteristics, self-blame, perpetrator-blame, and PTS symptoms.
- Multivariate models to assess predictors of rape acknowledgement.
Main Results:
- 59% of participants did not acknowledge their rape experiences.
- Sexual minority status, vaginal penetration, force, and male perpetrators predicted acknowledgement.
- Acknowledgement correlated with increased self-blame, higher PTS symptoms, and decreased perpetrator blame.
Conclusions:
- Unacknowledged rape remains prevalent.
- Rape acknowledgement is associated with distorted blame attributions.
- These distorted attributions may contribute to or sustain PTS symptoms in survivors.
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