Investigating Rape - A New Approach

• NCJ Number: 74290
• Journal: Legal Service Bulletin Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1980) Pages: 19-23
• Author(s): D Chappell
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The Australian article discusses new procedures for investigating rape and suggests methods for improving the treatment of victims.

Abstract

Rape victims desire sympathetic and humane treatment, and a repetitive interviewing by law enforcement personnel should be avoided. The investigator who makes the initial contact for a detailed statement from the victim should contimue to be imvolved with the case until the final outcome. In this way, rapport, confidence, and trust can be established which will assist the victim through the difficult course of the investigation and prosecution. To assure the maximum use of investigative and allied resources, a priority scale should be assigned to the handling of cases. The degree of seriousness associated with a case can be determined on the basis of physical violence, the age of the victim, the use of a weapon, the commission of additional crimes, or other aggravating circumstances. The victim interview should take place at the earliest opportunity to locate suspects who might still be in the area of the crime. The prosecution of rape cases must also be improved. In most Australian jurisdiction, police serve as prosecutors in magistrates' courts. However, police officers often lack the impartiality fair justice demands. As is the practice in the United States, trained lawyers should undertake the prosecution of rape cases. Improvements in medical procedures have already been effected in some parts of the country with the establishment of sexual offense referral units in which full-time staff examine victims. If testimony from professional witnesses, such as medical practitioners, is needed at the trial, their willingness to participate may be increased if their testimony were videotaped in their own environment. Victim/witness assistance bureaus could help keep victims and witnesses informed of case activity, help schedule hearings at times convenient for them, and aid victims in obtaining referrals and compensation. Finally, judges should be supplied with victim impact statements at the time of sentencing to assure that the full effects of the crime on the victim are considered. Eight references are included.