Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jana Price-Sharps

Abstract

Sexual assault within prisons continues to occur despite federally mandated safety protocols and reporting procedures. Male inmates must also navigate the challenge of upholding societal gender norms to meet the ideal of hegemonic masculinity as identified in Gender Order Theory. Seven formerly incarcerated males were interviewed for this study. The interviews were designed to explore four relevant topical points which explored the roles that stereotypical/hegemonic masculinity traits play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually victimized during incarceration. 2) The role gender roles stress/conflict play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually victimized during incarceration 3) The impact that identifying as male has on individuals who are sexually victimized during incarceration. 4) Other aspects of identity that might prevent the individual from reporting the victimization. Participant responses were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo to extract patterns and meaning from the participant responses. The participants’ answers revealed that both the culture of silence within prisons and reporting process itself appear to be barriers to the reporting of sexual assault within prison. Participant responses also seem to reflect that the specific negative gender-based connotations of male sexual assault are effective in causing harm to the victim and keeping them subordinate. This research shows the need for positive social change including gender teachings, prison cultural framework, and to the current structure of reporting sexual assault within prisons, in order to protect incarcerated males from the harmful elements of the gender socialization, prison culture, and the perceived inability to safely and effectively report being sexual assaulted during incarceration.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS