Rape Reporting as a Function of Victim-Offender Relationship: A Critique of the Lack of Effect Reported by Bachman (1993)

• NCJ Number: 154054
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: 74-80
• Author(s): P Pollard
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

R. Bachman (1993), studying a sample of 235 rape or attempted rape survivors, found that whether or not a rape survivor reported to the police was not significantly affected by whether or not she knew her assailant.

Abstract

Bachman's results suggested that differential reporting, even of acquaintance rape, is a problem of the past. This study takes exception to that conclusion for four primary reasons. First, it is debatable whether the analysis supported the conclusion that the relationship between reporting and knowing the offender was significant. Secondly, even if nonsignificant, the interpretation of the result was inconsistent with the classical logic of hypothesis testing and the use of significance tests. Thirdly, this author argues that there was no evidence presented of a change over time in reporting trends. Finally, the sample was not sufficiently representative of all types of victim-offender relationships to allow inferences to be drawn about acquaintance rape. 22 references