Adapting and Applying Offline Theory to Online Victimization: A Test of the Shadow of Sexual Assault Hypothesis with Fear of Online Victimization

Abstract

The shadow of sexual assault hypothesis has received considerable support in explaining women’s fear of crime. However, this hypothesis has yet to be tested in relation to online victimization. Utilizing a sample of undergraduates, this study tests the shadow hypothesis in the context of the Internet by examining the impact of fear of unwanted online sexual advances on individuals’ fear of online victimization, generally. Findings indicate that men’s and women’s levels of fear of online victimization differ, with women being significantly more fearful of several types of online victimization. Multiple regression findings also show that the effects of fear of unwanted online sexual advances may account for the relationship between sex and fear of online victimization.