Publication Date

5-2018

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

3-9-2018

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

Department

Criminal Justice

Supervisory Committee Chair

Laura King, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Andrew Giacomazzi, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Cody J. Jorgensen, Ph.D.

Abstract

Adler (1975) contends that, over time, few things in society have changed less than sexual behavior, while few things have changed more than attitudes about sex. As such, myths pertaining to sex work, such as prostitution, human trafficking, and rape myths, support culturally reinforced attitudes that rationalize the sexual exploitation of sex workers (Cotton et al., 2002). Using a convenience sample and revised versions of the Human Trafficking Myths Scale (Cunningham & Cromer, 2016), Attitudes toward Prostitutes and Prostitution Scale (Levin & Peled, 2011), and Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (McMahon & Farmer, 2011), the current study sought to examine the following research questions: (1) Are men more likely than women to harbor misperceptions about rape, prostitution, and human trafficking? (2) What effect does rape myth acceptance have on self-reported perceptions of sex workers, human trafficking, and prostitution? Using multivariate OLS regression models, findings indicate that rape myth acceptance is associated with an increased acceptance of human trafficking myths and perceiving sex workers as victims. The implications of these findings are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

DOI

10.18122/td/1413/boisestate

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