Are Rape Myths Inherently Gendered? Examining Assumed Gender Ascribed to Gender-Neutral Versions of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale Among College Students

Rape myths are false beliefs about sexual violence that shift blame to the victim rather than the perpetrator. The Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance (IRMA) scale measures these myths, but critiques have led to the creation of gender-neutral versions. This study aimed to investigate how participants perceive gender in these versions. Surveys were given to U.S. college students, with variations in victim and perpetrator gender. Results showed no significant differences in IRMA scores based on gender-neutral versions. However, most participants still associated a female victim and a male perpetrator with sexual assault, indicating the persistent gendered nature of rape myths.