In a recent study published in Sex Roles, researchers examined how a perpetrator’s likeability and the type of tactic used in a sexual assault—whether coercion or force—affect public perceptions of blame and accountability. The #MeToo movement has drawn attention to the issue of sexual violence, particularly by high-profile individuals, but accountability for perpetrators remains inconsistent. Studies have shown that perpetrators’ characteristics, such as likeability, may shield them from full accountability. Previous research has established that likeable individuals, especially in public or …