The relationships between exposure to sexual assault narratives in media and women’s sexual assault disclosure efficacy: proposed models and mechanisms

Abstract

Although literature suggests that sexual assault narratives in media may encourage others to disclose their own sexual assault stories, research has yet to theorize the relationship between viewing mediated sexual assault narratives and disclosing sexual assaults. In response, I propose a theoretical model of the influence of mediated sexual assault narratives on sexual assault disclosure efficacy for adolescent girls and women. I also identify three mechanisms—survivor identity appeals, identification with the vlogger, and self-efficacy appeals—that may enhance the persuasiveness of mediated sexual assault narratives and work within the proposed model. Implications for future research are discussed.