Violence

Open Access: No.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between pornography consumption, perpetration and victimization of sexual violence, and rape-related beliefs in Brazilian adults, considering the respondents’ gender. The instruments used were: a sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire on pornography consumption, the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, and a questionnaire on sexual behaviors and sexual violence. The study sample consisted of 993 Brazilian adults, the majority of whom were women (n = 481) and heterosexual (n = 436). Descriptive analyses, comparative analyses, and a network analysis were conducted. The rates of pornography consumption, rape myth acceptance, and violence perpetration were higher among men. The network analysis demonstrated that the perpetration of violence was positively and significantly related to pornography consumption and rape myths. The results may contribute to the development of interventions that promote sexual and reproductive health and prevent sexual violence, while acknowledging the prevalence of pornography consumption and its potential influence on the beliefs and sexual behaviors of consumers.

Relevance

The analysis “indicated significant relationships between the perpetration of violence” – sexual violence against women – “and pornography consumption among men.”

Citation

Cunha, M. E. C. d., Arnoud, T. d. C. J., & Habigzang, L. F. (2025). Consumption of Pornography, Sexual Violence, and Rape-Related Beliefs in Brazilian Adults. Trends in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-025-00508-1