Hate Speech Against LGBTQ+ Communities: Impact on Implicit Bias and Victim Blame

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of incitement against the LGBTQ+ community on implicit negative/positive associations towards this community, and on victim/ perpetrator blame attribution in heterosexual and same-sex sexual assault scenarios. The goal is to provide additional data and expand the literature regarding public perception and implicit biases towards the LGBTQ+ community, and more specifically on non-heteronormative (i.e. not male to female) sexual assault. Much of the existing literature on sexual assault focuses on cases and scenarios describing the perpetrator as male and the victim as female, reflecting the current social conceptualizations, definitions and measures of sexual assault (Ballman et al., 2016; Catton, & Dorahy, 2022). Non heteronormative sexual assault has received little attention, publicly and scientifically, with victims facing more stigma and barriers to help and treatment resources. The purpose of the current study is to shed a light on an existing, understudied social problem. By expanding our scientific knowledge, we can contribute to social awareness and support and creating intervention and treatment resources for victims.