NCJ Number
86856
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
To illustrate the unfair treatment of rape victims by defense attorneys, this film presents a parody of a cross-examination in which a male witness is harassed for having fallen victim to a holdup.
Abstract
The questions appear to put the victim on trial rather than the offender, and are aimed at shaming and discrediting the victimized person's legitimate behaviors and motivations. The cross-examiner accuses the victim of having too much money, wearing an expensive suit, being alone on the street at night, and associating with strangers. The film suggests that this type of harassment by the justice system may be one of the reasons why only 1 out of 10 rape cases is ever reported to the authorities.