2018/12/06 by Weyam Fahmy, Brent Snook, Kirk Luther +1
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior #Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies #Social and Intergroup Psychology
paper · doi:10.1037/cbs0000116
openalex publication_date 2018/12/06 · crossref created 2018/12/06 · crossref issued 2019/01/01 · crossref published 2019/01/01 · crossref published-online 2019/01/01 · crossref deposited 2024/02/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31
The perceived credibility of a sexual assault victim’s court testimony was examined. A 2 (Face Covered: No, Yes) x 2 (Muslim Garment: No, Yes) between-participant design was used. Participants (N = 120) were assigned to watch one of four videos of a sexual assault victim providing testimony, and asked to rate her credibility. The effect of Muslim Garment on victim credibility ratings was significant; the victim was perceived as more credible when she wore a niqab or hijab compared to when she did not wear either of these garments. The effect of Face Covering on credibility ratings was non-significant, and the interaction was non-significant. The implications for women who wear Muslim garments while testifying about sexual assault are discussed.