The prevalence of rape myths is a major reason for rape victim blaming and stigmatization. Rape myths can cause victims of rape to blame themselves for their rape, or to not report their assault, and they can also shape the responses of judges and juries, causing a negative impact on rape victims. Some studies have shown that police officers are often distrustful of rape victims' account of their victimization, and that many of them believe some common rape myths. The Scottish Survey found that many police officers believed in the myth that false rape allegations were common and as a result did not believe the victim.  19\% of complainants reported CID ( Criminal Investigation Department ) officers making statement such as "your statement is like a fairytale " and "you are making this up ". Also, many who believe even one rape myth typically also do not believe female rape myths any more or any less than male rape myths. Though, men are also more likely to warrant rape myths rather than women. Due to reported higher rape myth acceptance among males than females, as well as because of other gender-based differences in perceptions and standpoints, one analysis by Patricia Yancey Martin, John R. Reynolds and Shelley Keith suggested that "a judiciary made up solely of men differs from one made up of more equal proportions of women and men ".Studies by Finch and Munro on mock juries found that they were heavily influenced by myths regarding intoxicated complainants, such as that ‘ any conscious person ’ would ‘express resistance.’ Finch E, Munro VE. Juror stereotypes and blame attribution in rape cases involving intoxicant, Br J Criminol, 2005, vol. 45 (pg. 25-38) It was affirmed in the case of R v Hysa 2007%DIFDELCMD < ] %%% that ‘issues of consent and capacity to consent to intercourse…should be left to the jury to determine.’ Given this dependence on Jury's opinions, the findings of Finch and Munro are a cause for concern. This commentary is furthered by the writings of Mallios and Meisner, who state that rape myth acceptance is problematic in judicial settings. They assert that voir dire can be used to curb jury bias related to preconceived notions regarding rape. Mallios C, Meisner T. Educating juries in sexual assault cases: Using voir dire to eliminate jury bias. Strategies: The Prosecutors’ Newsletter on Violence Against Women, 2010; 2. URL Even judges, prosecutors and lawyers can sometimes be misinformed about rape myths  giving rise to a bias within the trial. In 1982,  Judge Bertrand Richards infamously claimed that “It is the height of imprudence for any girl to hitch-hike at night. That is plain, it isn’t really worth stating. She is in the true sense asking for it.” In 2015, David Osborne, a senior barrister  , published a blog named "She was gagging for it ", where he claimed “men should be cleared if rape victim is too drunk to consent”.
The prevalence of rape myths is a major reason for rape victim blaming and stigmatization. Rape myths can cause victims of rape to blame themselves for their rape, or to not report their assault, and they can also shape the responses of judges and juries, causing a negative impact on rape victims. Some studies have shown that police officers are often distrustful of rape victims' account of their victimization, and that many of them believe some common rape myths. A Scottish survey found that many police officers believed false rape allegations are common and as a result do not believe the victim. In the UK more broadly, 19\% of complainants reported Criminal Investigation Department officers making statement such as "your statement is like a fairy tale " and "you are making this up ." Also, many who believe even one rape myth typically also do not believe female rape myths any more or any less than male rape myths. Though, men are also more likely to warrant rape myths rather than women. Due to reported higher rape myth acceptance among males than females, as well as because of other gender-based differences in perceptions and standpoints, one analysis by Patricia Yancey Martin, John R. Reynolds and Shelley Keith suggested that "a judiciary made up solely of men differs from one made up of more equal proportions of women and men ." Studies by Emily Finch and Vanessa Munro on mock juries found that they were heavily influenced by myths regarding intoxicated complainants, such as that " any conscious person " would "express resistance" to rape. Finch E, Munro VE. Juror stereotypes and blame attribution in rape cases involving intoxicant, Br J Criminol, 2005, vol. 45 (pg. 25-38) %DIFDELCMD < ] %%% This commentary is furthered by the writings of Mallios and Meisner, who state that rape myth acceptance is problematic in judicial settings. They assert that voir dire can be used to curb jury bias related to preconceived notions regarding rape. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers can be misinformed about rape myths , giving rise to a bias within the trial. In 1982, UK Judge Bertrand Richards infamously claimed that “It is the height of imprudence for any girl to hitch-hike at night. That is plain, it isn’t really worth stating. She is in the true sense asking for it.” In 2015, David Osborne, a senior barrister in the UK , published a blog named "She was gagging for it ," where he claimed “men should be cleared if rape victim is too drunk to consent”.
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