Police Officer or Doctor? Police Surgeons' Attitudes and Opinions About Rape (From Perspectives on Rape and Sexual Assault, P 56-66, 1984, June Hopkins, ed. - See NCJ-105029)

• NCJ Number: 105034
• Author(s): R Geis; R Wright; G Geis
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Harper and Row
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Questionnaire responses from 128 English police surgeons were examined in a 1977-1978 study of their attitudes toward rape and the demands of the physician and police role in rape complaints.

Abstract

Respondents had examined between zero and 100 rape complaints during the preceding year, with an average of 10.8 cases. Of the 1,361 cases reported, they believed 31.4 percent to be false. There was a notable lack of consensus among police physicians about the proper scope of rape examinations. In general, respondents favored medical considerations over investigative and evidentiary considerations, but generally included both in varying proportions. Respondents were particularly divided on whether the history-taking should cover the complainant's previous extramarital sexual relationships and whether opinion about the legitimacy of the complaint should be offered to police and prosecutors before trial. While a majority of respondents did not view pregnancy, venereal disease, and counseling services as a part of their role, most did refer complainants to other resources. Overall, the lack of consensus concerning the police-physician role suggests a need for the development of policies and procedures in this area. 1 note.