Research

I am currently completing my PhD at the University of Leicester. My research interests are rape myths and stereotypes regarding male and female victims of rape. I have been involved in working with several police forces in examining the influence of training and experience of working with rape victims and the effect this may have on the perception of victims of stranger and acquaintance rape. My MSc dissertation focussed upon examining the fear of crime paradox and perceived risk of crime for heterosexual and homosexual men, in the context of sexual assault.

I am also an Editorial Assistant for Applied Cognitive Psychology under the editorship of Professor Graham Davies.

Publications

• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (submitted). Comparing rape victim and perpetrator blaming in a police officer sample: Differences between specialist trained and non-specialist trained police officers. Criminal Justice and Behavior
• Sleath, E., & Woodhams, J. (submitted). What makes a rape scenario credible? A qualitative analysis of victim, perpetrator, and environment characteristics. Archives of Sexual Behavior
• Flowe, H., Stewart, J.S., & Sleath, E.R. (revisions). A dangerous mixture: Alcohol intoxication and stereotypical sexual availability cues are associated with sexual aggression. Aggressive Behavior
• Hamilton-Giachritsis, C., & Sleath, E. (in press). Effects of interpersonal crime on victims. In G. Davies & A.R. Beech (Eds), Forensic Psychology (2nd ed). Chichester, U.K.: Wiley.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2010) Male rape victim and perpetrator blaming. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25, 969-988. doi: 10.1177/0886260509340534
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2006). Preconceptions and myths of rape allegations. In L. (Ed.), Psychological Correlates of Criminality.

Presentations

• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2011). Examining blaming towards rape victims in a specialist police sample. Paper to be presented at AP-LS/4th International Congress on Psychology and Law, 3-5 March, Miami, FL, USA
• Scott, A.J., Gavin, J., Sleath, E., & Sheridan, L. (2011). Perceptions of victim responsibility: The influence of prior relationship and conduct severity in stalking scenarios. Paper to be presented at AP-LS/4th International Congress on Psychology and Law, 3-5 March, Miami, FL, USA
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2010, June). Understanding rape victim and perpetrator blaming: Theoretical perspectives. Paper presented at European Association of Psychology and Law, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Sleath, E., & Woodhams, J. (2009, Sept). Assessments of credibility of a sexual assault victim. Paper presented at European Association of Psychology and Law, Sorrento, Italy.
• Sleath, E., & Woodhams, J. (2008, June). Lay persons’ construction of rape victim credibility: A preliminary analysis. Paper presented at European Association of Psychology and Law, Maastricht, Netherlands.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2007, June). Male rape victim blaming and male rape myths. Paper presented at Division of Forensic Psychology Conference, York, UK.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2007, May). Male rape myths and victim blaming. University of Leicester School of Psychology, 2nd Annual Postgraduate Conference, Leicester, UK.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2006, June). Preconceptions of rape allegations. Paper presented at European Association of Psychology and Law, Liverpool, UK.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2006, May). Rape perceptions and definitions: How they may affect our atttiudes towards victims. University of Leicester School of Psychology, 1st Annual Postgraduate Conference, Leicester, UK.
• Sleath, E., & Bull, R. (2005, June). Investigating the effects of rape myths, just world beliefs and gender role on rape victim blaming. Paper presented at European Association of Psychology and Law, Vilnius, Lithuania