NCJ Number
123518
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 76 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 92,94
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Knowledge about rape is increasing, and the law is beginning to reflect that shift.
Abstract
The New York Court of Appeals, for example, recently held that evidence of rape trauma syndrome was admissible to guide the jury in understanding the initial refusal of a young rape victim to identify her assailant, even though she knew who he was. In a companion case, however, the court held that rape trauma evidence is not admissible when it is offered as proof that the incident more likely than not was rape. In a related case, the U.S. Court of Appeals held that sexually abusive language by male police officers to their female counterparts can be used as evidence to show a hostile working environment.