Neuroscience evidence counters rape myth Ebani Dhawan and Patrick Haggard
By: Dhawan, Ebani.
Contributor(s): Haggard, Patrick.
Material type: ArticleSeries: Nature Human Behaviour.Publisher: Nature, 2023Subject(s): CONSENT | CRIMINAL JUSTICE | EVIDENCE | LAW REFORM | RAPE | RAPE MYTH | SEXUAL VIOLENCE | TRAUMA | VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE | INTERNATIONAL | UNITED KINGDOMOnline resources: DOI: 1038/s41562-023-01598-6 | Read media release In: Nature Human Behaviour, 2023, First published online, 22 May 2023Summary: Victims frequently report immobility during rape and sexual assault, often using the term ‘freezing’. Neuroscientific evidence suggests fear and threat can block cortical neural circuits for action control, leading to involuntary immobility. Defence arguments that blame victims for freezing are thus inappropriate and unjust. (Author's abstract). Record #8242Nature Human Behaviour, 2023, First published online, 22 May 2023
Victims frequently report immobility during rape and sexual assault, often using the term ‘freezing’. Neuroscientific evidence suggests fear and threat can block cortical neural circuits for action control, leading to involuntary immobility. Defence arguments that blame victims for freezing are thus inappropriate and unjust. (Author's abstract). Record #8242