NCJ Number
90453
Date Published
1983
Length
173 pages
Annotation
This New Zealand study considers rape law reform, the rape experience and circumstances, the police processing of rape complaints, victim support services, and the trial process.
Abstract
The discussion of rape law reform in New Zealand examines existing law along with the purposes and limitations of law reform. Reform is noted to fulfill the dual purposes of relieving the victim of harassment and demeaning treatment in case processing while expanding the proscribed abusive sexual conduct. An overview of the rape experience traces the various phases of victim reaction to the rape, and consideration of the circumstances of rape deals with victim characteristics, the relationship between victim and assailant, and characteristics of the rape event. An examination of police processing of rape complaints considers police response to a rape complaint, unfounded complaints, victims' general perceptions of the police, credibility and the issue of consent, and police experience and training, along with police liaison with the complainant and the medical examination. The chapter on victim support services portrays the various services available to rape victims in New Zealand, including rape crisis centers and financial compensation. Consent and the nature of 'rape' offenses are examined as aspects of current New Zealand law, followed by an analysis of various aspects of the trial process, including the complainant's evidence, the recording of evidence, cross-examination of the victim, and jury composition. Fifty-nine references are provided, and the appendix presents the terms of reference of the rape study.