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Public Perceptions Of #Metoo Gay Male Sexual Assault Disclosure: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Facebook Comments, Eleanor Young, Rowan Salton, Hanna Estes

Western Libraries Undergraduate Research Award

The present study explores public perceptions of male victimization in the age of #MeToo. Utilizing qualitative content analysis, Facebook comments from popular news media pages’ breaking news posts of Kevin Spacey’s alleged assault against Anthony Rapp were analyzed for themes. After coding, six initial themes emerged: indirect blame, victim support, non-support of victim(s), perpetrator support, non-support of perpetrator, and trauma distancing. These themes resulted in three overarching findings. Facebook commenters either commented on circumstances surrounding the victim, acts or inactions taken by the perpetrator, or they distanced themselves from the trauma by commenting on happenings separate from the alleged abuse. …