Unveiling the Truth: The Effect of Muslim Garments and Face Covering on the Perceived Credibility of a Victim's Court Testimony.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Fahmy, Weyam; Snook, Brent; Luther, Kirk; McCardle, Meagan I.
- Source
- Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. Jan2019, Vol. 51 Issue 1, p53-60. 8p.
- Subject
- *CULTURE
ACADEMIC medical centers
CLOTHING & dress
FACE
ISLAM
JUDGMENT (Psychology)
SEX crimes
STUDENTS
LEGAL status of crime victims
PSYCHOLOGY of crime victims
VIDEO recording
WITNESSES
PROMPTS (Psychology)
- Language
- ISSN
- 0008-400X
The perceived credibility of a sexual assault victim's court testimony was examined. A 2 (Muslim Garment: No, Yes) x 2 (Face Covered: No, Yes) between-participants 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 nonsignificant, and the interaction was nonsignificant. The implications for women who wear Muslim garments while testifying about sexual assault are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]