NCJ Number
165750
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 20 Issue: 6 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 607-628
Date Published
1996
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the extent of attrition in the processing of sexual assault cases in the legal system, factors associated with attrition at various stages in the legal process, and victim experiences in the legal system and relationships between these experiences and recovery.
Abstract
The specific study goal was to add to the knowledge base on the prosecution of rape cases. Rape cases reported during 1991 to a midwestern metropolitan police department in the United States were identified. Information was obtained from police records on 861 rape cases. In addition, rape victim perceptions of their experiences with the legal system and their recovery were evaluated, based on a sample of 90 female rape victims who had been assaulted between late 1990 and early 1994. Various aspects of case outcomes were coded, and postrape symptomatology was assessed. Findings suggested that substantial attrition occurred in the prosecution of rape cases, that severe assaults were prosecuted more vigorously, that victims were generally satisfied with the police but not with the legal system in general, and that attitudes and case outcomes were not associated with victim postrape recovery. Research and policy implications of the findings are discussed. 46 references and 4 tables