NCJ Number
207287
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: Autumn 2004 Pages: 155-170
Date Published
2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the experiences of 178 victims of either rape or assault in their interviews with Swedish police, with attention to victims' inclinations to provide or withhold information.
Abstract
Out of 823 victims who reported either a rape or an assault between May 6 and September 14, 1999, 178 agreed to participate in the study and complete the questionnaire. Of these participants, 50 were female rape victims between the ages of 18 and 59, 2 male rape victims, 54 female victims of aggravated assault between the ages of 18 and 79, and 72 male victims of aggravated assault between the ages of 18 and 67. The questionnaire asked various questions related to the experiences of the victims in their interviews with police. They included a question about the extent to which victims omitted information during the interview. When variances were found to be equal within groups, one-way analyses of variances were used to determine the difference between victim groups concerning the perceived attitudes of their interviewers and their own responses to the interviews, respectively. Police officer behavior was rated as mainly calm and courteous. Victims perceived police attitudes to be either dominance or empathetic. During the interview, victims either reacted with anxiety or a feeling of being respected by the officer; the latter feeling encouraged them to be cooperative. Interviews characterized by officer dominance and victim anxiety were significantly related to victims' omission of information. Information was more forthcoming from victims who experienced respect and a sense of cooperation with the police officer. 5 tables and 29 references