Citation

Katz J, Merrilees C, LaRose J, Edgington C. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2018; 27(4): 444-459.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10926771.2017.1376238

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Women of color are affected by both sexism and racism. We examined White women's attitudes about sexism (hostile and benevolent sexism) and racial injustice (White empathic responses to racism) as correlates of their responses to a Black woman at risk for an alcohol-related sexual assault. White undergraduate women (N = 172) reported on their attitudes and then completed measures of blame and willingness to intervene in response to a scenario in which a woman named "LaToya" is at risk. All 3 types of attitudes were directly related to victim blame, whereas only hostile sexism was directly, negatively related to willingness to intervene. White empathic responses to racism moderated the associations between benevolent sexism and both victim blame and willingness to intervene.

RESULTS suggest that among White female bystanders, both hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes were related to increased blame and reduced willingness to intervene to help Black women at risk. The adverse effects of benevolent sexism, however, were reduced for those with greater concerns about racial injustice.

Language: en

Keywords

Ambivalent sexism; attitudes about racial injustice; Black or African American race/ethnicity; bystander; race/ethnicity; racial justice; sexism; sexual assault