Effects of the exposure to sexual information on possibility of committing sexual crime: Sexual crime myths as the mediators

Abstract

In this paper, we focused on the wrong beliefs or attitudes (sexual crime myths) which rationalize and facilitate sexual crime. We investigated whether the exposure to sexual media (pornography), the sexual information exchange with friends and seniors, and individual factors contribute to the formation of sexual crime myths in male undergraduate students. In addition, we examined whether the sexual crime myths increase the possibility (permissibility) of committing sexual crime. First, we proposed a causal model which comprised five steps; (1) individual factors (e. g., sexual intercourse, girl friends, general lust, and personality traits), (2) the exposure to sexual media, (3) the sexual information exchange with friends and seniors, (4) the sexual crime myths, and (5) the possibility of committing sexual crime. One hundred and sixty five male undergraduates answered the questionnaire. Results of path analysis suggested that sexual intercourse and general lust stimulated the exposure to sexual media (pornography), that led to the sexual information exchange with company of people who were close or similar to oneself. This exchange contributed to the formation of sexual crime myths (women's acceptance of sexual violence, misunderstanding of women's lust), and in turn the myths resulted in the possibility (permissibility) of criminal sexual violence toward women.