NCJ Number
150006
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 84 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1993) Pages: 554-574
Date Published
1993
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article contributes to and extends the previous literature on the effectiveness of rape law reforms in the United States.
Abstract
Using a number of national data sources, this study examined the degree to which there has been a change in three aspects of the rape adjudication process relative to two other violent crimes: robbery and aggravated assault. The issues addressed are the extent to which rape reporting has changed from the 1970's to the present, the extent to which the probability of going to prison for rape has changed from the 1970's to the present, and the extent to which the number of acquaintance-rape offenders have been imprisoned. The most obvious impression from the data examined is that statutory rape law reform has not had a substantial impact on either victim behavior or actual practices in the criminal justice system. There was not a large increase over time in the proportion of victims who report being raped, and there was only a slight increase in the likelihood that individuals who raped an acquaintance would be imprisoned. These null findings are consistent with other research on the impact of rape law reform. 2 tables and 41 footnotes