NCJ Number
177162
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: February 1999 Pages: 17-41
Date Published
1999
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article examines the responses of a group of women who reported rape in the London Metropolitan Police District during the years 1993 to 1995 to ascertain their reactions to police processes and to gauge those aspects of their contact with the police which they regarded as particularly positive or negative.
Abstract
For victims, the experience of reporting rape falls into several different stages. Some may overlap, some may be omitted and the order may vary, but broadly speaking they are contacting the police, first encounter with the police, the medical, making a statement, investigation of the case, follow-up and court. Victims were asked about their experience with the police at each of these stages; the article does not deal with the medical examination. Although guidelines provide the framework for a model system of care for victims, in practice they are not always followed and promises in a Metropolitan Police Service booklet are not always fulfilled. Disbelieving and stereotypical attitudes about women who report rape persist. It appears that changing police culture is rather more difficult than composing exemplary guidelines. Tables, notes, references