Citation

Monto MA, Hotaling N. Violence Against Women 2001; 7(3): 275-293.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778010122182442

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although female street prostitutes are frequent victims of violence, there has been little research on their male clients. This study explores the level of “rape myth acceptance” and the predictors of rape myth acceptance among 1,286 men arrested for trying to hire street prostitutes in San Francisco (n = 950), Las Vegas (n = 254), and Portland, Oregon (n = 82). Rape myths are attitudes believed to support sexual violence against women. Questionnaires were administered to arrested clients prior to participation in programs designed to discourage reoffense. Results indicate low levels of rape myth acceptance among respondents, although a small number expressed higher levels. The strongest predictors of rape myth acceptance in regression analyses were attraction to violent sexuality, sexual conservatism, and thinking about sex less frequently.