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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 11:01 pm
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Results for sexual assault
161 results foundAuthor: Paletta, Anna Title: Understanding Family Violence and Sexual Assault in Territories, First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples Summary: From the abstract: "research was completed on family and sexual assault offences in the territories using Crown Prosecutor files for the time period of January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2004. This study examines the relationship between the offender and the offender's personal history of violent abuse within the framework developed through the work of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and subsequent studies undertaken based on the RCAP findings. The findings provide evidence of a relationship between offence and offender's history abuse. This report also provides details of the family violence and sexual assault offences committed." Details: Ottawa: Department of Justice Canada, 2008 Source: rr08-le Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 114415 Keywords: AboriginalsFamily ViolenceIndigenous PeoplesSexual Assault |
Author: National Union of Students (UK) Title: Hidden Marks: A Study of Women Students' Experiences of Harassment, Stalking, Violence and Sexual Assault Summary: This report outlines findings from a survey exploring the prevalence and nature of harassment, stalking, financial control, control over course and institution choice, and physical and sexual violence faced by female students. The UK-wide study provides a snapshot of the experiences of women students today. Details: London: National Union of Students, 2010. 38p. Source: Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117831 Keywords: Female VictimsHarassmentSexual AssaultStalking |
Author: Olszewski, Deborah Title: Sexual Assaults Facilitated by Drugs or Alcohol Summary: Over the past 10 years, there has been a rise in the number of reports of drugs and alcohol being used to immobilize victims for the purpose of sexual assault. Population surveys carried out in six European Union countries suggest that up to 20% of women expeerience some form of sexual assault in their adult lifetime. A lack of appropriate monitoring system means that the full scale of drug-facilitated sexual assault remains unknown. Better monitoring of the phenomenon is an essential first step in addressing the problem. Details: Lisbon: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2008. 17p. Source: Technical Data Sheet Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118251 Keywords: Acquaintance RapeSexual Assault |
Author: Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies Title: Date Rape Cases Among Young Women: Strategies for Support and Prevention Summary: This report investigates the incidence of data rape among young women in five European countries including Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Malta and Lithuania. The study investigates the incidence of data rape among female students in each participating country; explores the attitudes and experiences of female students regarding date rape; and develops recommendations, policies and strategies for victim support and the prevention of sexual violence and date rape. Details: Nicosia, Cyprus: University of Nicosia Press, 2008. 55p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118535 Keywords: Date RapeRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Kifer, Misty M. Title: To Protect and Serve: A Look at a Collaborative Effort to Address Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Summary: This is an evaluation of a collaborative project in Bingham County, Idaho. Since 1997, three agencies in Bingham County, Idaho have received STOP funding at one time or another. The Bingham County Sheriff's Office, the Bingham Crisis Center, and the Blackfoot Police Department (BPD) received grant money to develop and strengthen support services for victims of domestic violence as well as improving law enforcement strategies to convict perpetrators of violent crimes against women. The first agency to receive STOP funding was the Bingham Crisis Center. This set the course for a very innovative program designed to address domestic violence and sexual assaults. Funds received in 1997 helped to establish the Bingham County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force. This task force, comprised of thirteen key agencies, established a protocol in 1998 addressing each agency's responsibilities in cases involving domestic violence and sexual assaults. Task Force agencies include the Blackfoot Police Department, the Bingham County Sheriff's Office, the Bingham County Prosecutor's Office, 7th District Judicial Judges, local emergency room personnel, the Bingham Crisis Center and the Blackfoot City Prosecutors. The establishment of the task force allowed agencies to work together to identify problem areas, solutions, and opportunities for interagency training. In the following years, the Bingham County Sheriff's Office and the Blackfoot Police Department received funding for digital cameras and other recording devises to better document cases for prosecution. The Bingham County Sheriff's Office also received funding for a full-time domestic violence investigator. The Bingham Crisis Center received funding to provide victim services, such as individual and group counseling and bilingual/bicultural services for victims. Further, all three agencies participated in interagency training. This evaluation describes the project's genesis, its goals and structure, how it operated, the methods used to evaluate its success, and whether it met its goals. The majority of information provided in this evaluation is culminated from quarterly grant reports submitted by the three Bingham County subgrantees to the Idaho State Police Department of Planning, Grants and Research. These quarterly reports have consistently contained valuable information about project goals, objectives, and any obstacles or achievements reached by the program. Due to these self-evaluation efforts, resource and time restrictions, this report will utilize the data and information provided by these programs along with additional analysis of domestic violence offenses that have taken place within Bingham Countyand whether it met its goals. Information used in this report is taken from each project's quarterly program reports, the case management records of the Bingham Crisis Center and Bingham County Sheriff's Office, newspaper reports, as well as police reports submitted through Idaho's Incident-Based Reporting System (IIBRS). Details: Meridian, ID: Idaho State Police, Planning, Grants and Research Bureau, Statistical Analysis Center, 2008. 33p. Source: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/Research/documents/BinghamEvaluation6-24_001.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: https://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/Research/documents/BinghamEvaluation6-24_001.pdf Shelf Number: 117145 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Idaho)Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultVictim ServicesViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: Sigsworth, Romi Title: Anyone Can Be a Rapist...: An Overview of Sexual Violence in south Africa Summary: It is no secret that the levels of sexual violence in South Africa are unacceptably high. As a result, the problem of sexual violence in South Africa is a major concern to government and civil society alike. A key question is whether these levels of sexual violence are related to the factors contributing to the high levels of violence more generally in South African society, or whether there are additional factors contributing to this particular form of violence. This report aims to answer these questions by mapping the extent, nature and causes of sexual violence in South Africa in an attempt to understand holistically the scourge of sexual violence in the country, in order to offer a comprehensive range of recommendations to assist in addressing the problem. Details: Johannesburg, South Africa: Center for the STudy of Violence and Reconciliation, 2009. 36p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: Shelf Number: 118630 Keywords: Rape (South Africa)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Simpson, Gerry Title: Welcome to Kenya: Police Abuse of Somali Refugees Summary: Near Kenya's officially closed border with Somalia, abusive police intercept thousands of mostly women and children asylum seekers fleeing war-torn Somalia every month. Using the clandestine nature of their journey as an excuse to extort and abuse them, police beat and, in some cases, rape them, and deport or detain those who don't pay on false charges of unlawful presence in Kenya. In early 2010, hundreds, if not thousands, of Somalis unable to pay were unlawfully sent back to Somalia. Once in the camps, which only 3 percent of refugees were allowed to leave in 2009, they face further police violence. Police also fail to investigate sexual violence against refugees by other refugees and Kenyan nationals in the camps, leading to a climate of impunity for those responsible. The abuses are the direct result of the country's border closure and the related closure of a refugee transit center near the border which used to provide a safe place where most Somalis first sought refuge in Kenya and from where the United Nations previously transported them to camps. Without this transit center, Somalis have become fair game for corrupt police. This report outlines concrete steps Kenya should take to end the abuses and to proactively prevent and respond to sexual violence in the camps. It also calls on the UN refugee agency to improve its monitoring of abuses and to increase its advocacy with the authorities to end them. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2010. 94p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Kenya URL: Shelf Number: 119109 Keywords: AliensAsylumPolice CorruptionRapeRefugeesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School Title: Crime in Burma Summary: This report examines the following human rights abuses in Burma: forced labor; recruitment of child soldiers; widespread sexual violence; extrajudicial killings and torture; and more than a million displaced persons. It calls on the United Nations Security Council urgently to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and report on crime against humanity and war crimes in Burma. Details: Cambridge, MA: International Human Rights Clinic, Harvard University, 2009. 104 p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Burma URL: Shelf Number: 119146 Keywords: Forced LaborHuman RightsRapeSexual Assault |
Author: Council of Europe. Directorate General of Human Rights, Gender Equality and Anti-Trafficking Division Title: Final Activity Report: Council of Europe Task Force to Combat Violence Against Women, Including Domestic Violence (EG-TFV) Summary: The aim of the Task Force was to identify measures that had proved effective at national and international level in preventing and combating violence against women, including domestic violence, and to make recommendations on their use in the Council of Europe member states at large. To this end, it has reviewed new policies and practices in this field and has identified measures taken in several member states in terms of legislation, support services and data collection, in order to discern general trends in preventing and combating violence against women. It makes recommendations in all these fields and identifies priority areas for future action by all member states as well as the Council of Europe. Furthermore, it has taken into account the Council of Europe’s previous work in addressing men’s involvement in combating violence against women and has addressed the issue of men’s multiple roles in this field. Details: Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2008. 99p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 119229 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: Sigsworth, Romi Title: Tracking Rape Case Attrition in Gauteng: The Police Investigation Stage Summary: This report describes the characteristics of reported rape in Gauteng province, as well as the processing of rape cases by the police and courts at selected courts and police stations. One of the study’s key findings was that 45% of rape cases never proceed beyond the police to the courts. This follow-up report analyses in greater detail the police investigation of rape cases in Gauteng and the resultant case attrition at the police investigation stage. Details: Braamfontein, South Africa: Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2009. 66p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: Shelf Number: 117659 Keywords: CourtsPolice InvestigationRape (South Africa)Sexual Assault |
Author: Steels, Brian Title: Predator or Prey? An Exploration of the Impact and Incidence of Sexual Assault in West Australian Prisons Summary: This study set out to investigate the incidence and social implications of sexual assault within the West Australian prison system. One of the key aims was to gauge the levels of both reported and unreported sexual assault, questioning the prison authority's claim that prison rape is a rare occurrence. Details: Perth: Murdoch University, Centre for Social & Community Research, 2009. 58p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 117639 Keywords: InmatesPrison Rape ( West Australia)Prison ViolenceSexual Assault |
Author: O'Brien, Wendy Title: Australia's Response to Sexualised or Sexually Abusive Behaviours in Children and Young People Summary: Responding to children and young people with sexualised or sexual offending behaviours presents significant challenges across the allied health, child protection, education and juvenile justice sectors. This report maps the specialised therapeutic services designed to effect positive behavioural change and thus divert young people with sexualised behaviours from the juvenile justice system. Accurate numbers on children with sexualised or sexual offending behaviours are difficult to determine. Recent Australian research cites international data to estimate that sexual abuse by children or young people constitutes between 40 and 90 per cent of sexual offending against children. Even the lower estimate belies the generally held assumption that perpetrators of child sexual assault are adult males. Young people are responsible for a significant proportion of sex offences against children, a fact that continues to go largely unknown. There are several factors contributing to this gap in understanding. These include entrenched ideals about children as inherently innocent, widespread ignorance about developmental sexuality, and the tendency of both young people and parents to deny or minimise incidents when they do occur. In Australia, data on children with sexualised behaviours are not collected uniformly and non-disclosure contributes to what might be large numbers of offences going undetected. Mandatory reporting requirements apply where children display sexualised behaviours and are thought to be at risk of harm. Yet a general lack of knowledge as to what constitutes appropriate behaviour means that many may respond inappropriately to incidents of sexualised behaviours. This context of confusion, denial and non-disclosure creates a hidden population of children that continues to be at risk. Attention to redressing the contexts for non-disclosure is urgently required to ensure that children in need are provided with specialised therapeutic care. Scholars and clinicians agree that the ‘earliest possible intervention’ leads to the best rehabilitative outcomes for the young people involved. Clinical studies indicate that recidivism rates are low where a full program of specialised counselling is completed. Despite these positive findings, there are a number of key challenges to the comprehensive provision of tertiary services to young people who have sexualised behaviours. This report presents qualitative data from interviews with specialised clinicians as well as submissions from service providers in both community and youth justice settings. In mapping the availability of therapeutic services, this report highlights a number of geographic and demographic gaps in service provision, including difficulties with eligibility criteria, referral pathways, funding arrangements and specialised workforce development. The intention of this research is to ascertain what therapeutic services were being delivered to all Australian children, including programs designed to reduce the numbers of Indigenous children before the courts on charges of sexual assault. Details: Canberra: Australian Crime Commission, 2010. 116p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 119458 Keywords: Juvenile Sex OffendersSex Offender TreatmentSexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: English, Kim Title: Sexual Assault in Jail and Juvenile Facilities: Promising Practices for Prevention and Response: Final Report Summary: Public Law 108-79, the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (also known as PREA), issued a call for correctional agencies nationwide to address prisoner sexual assault. This groundbreaking legislation required correctional administrators to identify, prevent, intervene and prosecute these incidents, and to ensure programs and services to meet the complex needs of victims and perpetrators. Soon after the passage of PREA, the National Institute of Justice sponsored several research activities to examine prisoner sexual assault within the culture of correctional institutions, within state department of corrections, and within jails and juvenile correctional facilities (the current project). This report presents the findings from a descriptive study of promising practices to prevent and respond to inmate-on-inmate sexual assault in jails and resident-on-resident sexual assault in juvenile correctional facilities, including a comprehensive literature review of institutional sexual assault which is included as Appendix A. Descriptive studies set the stage for more elaborate investigation later. Details: Denver, CO: Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Office of Research and Statistics, 2010. 356p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119518 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsJailsPrison RapePrison ViolencePrisonersSexual Assault |
Author: Harrell, Margaret C. Title: A Compendium of Sexual Assault Research Summary: This volume summarizes recent studies on sexual assault that are deemed useful and relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and other policymakers interested in sexual assault issues. Entries include a brief overview of the prevalence and effects of sexual assault, and of important events and laws pertaining to sexual assault in both the civilian and military sectors. The compendium's annotated bibliography includes summaries of more than 450 studies of sexual assault. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2009. 319p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Shelf Number: 117555 Keywords: Date RapeRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA, UK) Title: Practice Advice on Investigating Stalking and Harassment Summary: Investigations relating to harassment can be linked to some of the most serious crimes that the police deal with including murder, sexual offences and domestic abuse. Effective police responses to crimes related to harassment can have a direct impact on improving public satisfaction and confidence in the criminal justice system and bringing offenders to justice. This document provides strategic and operational advice for reporting, responding to and investigating harassment. (Excerpts from Document) Details: Wyboston, UK: Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Policing Improvement Agency, 2009. 78p. Source: Interet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Stalking_and_Harassment.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Stalking_and_Harassment.pdf Shelf Number: 117751 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsDomestic AbuseHarassmentSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Paz, Monica G. Title: Bringing the Global to the Local: Using Participatory Research to Address Sesxual Violence with Immigrant Communities in NYC Summary: This study reveals, in their own voices, the experiences New York City immigrant women have with sexual violence and their thoughts on ending this victimization. Many of the women who participated in this pilot study talked about the situations they faced and the barriers they experienced in seeking help for sexual violence. The study examines: 1) the scope and impact of sexual violence against (documented and undocumented) immigrant women; 2) help-seeking behaviors, including knowledge and attitudes about sexual violence services in their New York City communities; and 3) community-specific strategies to end sexual violence. Details: New York: New york City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, 2008. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.svfreenyc.org/media/research/par_1_report08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.svfreenyc.org/media/research/par_1_report08.pdf Shelf Number: 117660 Keywords: ImmigrantsSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (New York City)Violence Against Women |
Author: Eckman, Anne Title: Exploring Dimensions of Masculinity and Violence Summary: During the Yugoslavian wars that took place between 1991 and 2001, numerous cases of gender-based violence were reported, including mass rapes of women and sexual abuses like castration of men and boys imprisoned in war camps. Currently in the NW Balkans, an emerging culture of violence is visible. In the context of conflict and reconstruction, multiple masculine identities are shaped and formed according to the intersection of masculinity with religion, nationality and ethnicity. Youth represent a key opportunity to construct alternative definitions of masculinities and reduce gender-based violence. Working toward the reduction and elimination of gender-based violence, CARE International NW Balkans and CARE International is implementing a groundbreaking program working directly with young men between the ages of 13 and 19 to deconstruct masculinity in their cultures and determine how gender norms and male socialization lead to inequitable attitudes and behaviors toward women and girls. Details: Atlanta, GA: Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE); Washington, DC: International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), 2007. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.careinternational.org.uk/download.php?id=916 Year: 2007 Country: Europe URL: http://www.careinternational.org.uk/download.php?id=916 Shelf Number: 118736 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceMasculinityRapeSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: New Zealand. Task Force for Action on Sexual Violence Title: Te Toiora Mata Tauherenga: Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence Incorporating the Views of Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together Summary: In July 2007, in response to public outcry about the acquittals in the rape trial involving Louise Nicholas and action by Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) a Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence (TASV) was established. This report presents 71 recommendations to the government to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Ministry of Justice, 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2010 at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/tasv-report-full Year: 0 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/tasv-report-full Shelf Number: 119663 Keywords: Rape (New Zealand)Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Nugent-Borakove, M. Elaine Title: Testing the Efficacy of SANE/SART Programs: Do They Make A Difference in Sexual Assault Arrest & Prosecution Outcomes? Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners)/SART (Sexual Assault Response Teams) programs as a tool in the criminal justice system, specifically the impact of sexual assault case outcomes. The study examined five primary research questions: (1) was the arrest rate higher in cases where a SANE/SART exam was performed as compared with cases in which no exam was performed; (2) was the indictment/charging rate higher in such cases; (3) were guilty pleas more likely to be entered in such cases; (4) was the conviction rate higher in such cases; and (5) was the sentence more severe in such cases. Details: Alexandria, VA: American Prosecutors Research Institute, 2006. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 9, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/214252.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/214252.pdf Shelf Number: 119772 Keywords: ProsecutionSex OffendersSexual AssaultVictims of Crime |
Author: Johnson, Matthew Title: Personal Victimization of College Students Summary: The purpose of this study was to explore aspects of personal victimization among college students in Texas. Findings were reported and discussed regarding the extent of personal victimization, factors increasing or decreasing the likelihood of personal victimization, and situational issues pertaining to the consequences of being victimized. Some of the more noteworthy findings are: Approximately 26% of respondents reported being a personal crime victim within the past two years; The percentage of females experiencing personal victimization was substantially higher than the percentage for males. Further investigation revealed that the measures of stalking and sexual assault victimization accounted for the overall higher rate for females; Respondents living with a roommate or roommates were much more likely to be victims compared to respondents living alone; Respondents who grew up in a household headed by only the biological father and those raised primarily by their grandparents were significantly more likely to report being a victim compared to all other categories; Exposure to and involvement in violence is associated with personal victimization. Respondents experiencing violence between parents as children and respondents engaging in violent/personal crime were significantly more likely to be victims of personal crime compared to other respondents; Respondents who spent more time taking safety precautions to prevent victimization were more likely to have been victimized compared to those spending less time doing such things; Respondents who were personal crime victims had higher levels of fear of victimization compared to non-victims; and Personal crime victims reported spending more time partying than non-victims. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University, 2009. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2010 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/CSVictimizationFinal.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/CSVictimizationFinal.pdf Shelf Number: 119862 Keywords: Campus CrimeColleges and UniversitiesSexual AssaultStalkingVictimization SurveysVictims of Crime |
Author: Cahill, Meagan Title: Sex Abuse in the District of Columbia: Patterns and Trends, 2000-2009 Summary: While the use official statistics to understand sexual offenses presents a number of challenges, an analysis of data from the last decade (2000—2009) in Washington, D.C. reveals some interesting patterns. A long-term downward trend in reports of forcible rape since 1960 stabilized in recent years. More recently (2000—2009), the number of sex abuse reports was volatile with no clear pattern of increase or decline. Police districts 6D and 7D accounted for a disproportionate share of the city’s sex abuse reports, a pattern that may have begun to change at the very end of the series, at least in 7D. Details: Washington, DC: District of Columbia Crime Policy Institute, 2010. 3p. Source: Internet Resource: Brief, No. 4: Accessed October 18, 2010 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1001453-dcpi-sexual-abuse-brief.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1001453-dcpi-sexual-abuse-brief.pdf Shelf Number: 119999 Keywords: Crime StatisticsRapeSexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: Raphael, Jody Title: Taking Rape Seriously: Sexual Assault in Cook County Summary: “Rape is in decline in the U.S.” proclaim newspaper statistics, based mainly on declining police department reports of sexual assault. In September 2007, Index Crime Reports from the FBI reported another 2% decline in rape reports to police departments for 2006. Rape crisis providers in Cook County, who have seen no decline in the need for their services, are quick to point out that unlike other crimes, rape is only rarely reported to police authorities. What, then, is the prevalence of rape in Cook County, Illinois, and is our response to this crime adequate? This report attempts to answer these questions. Available data make definitive statements problematic. However, when we analyze the data we do have beyond police reports, we find that sexual assault is an underestimated problem in Cook County, and responses are grossly inadequate. Details: Chicago: DePaul University, College of Law, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, 2008. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2010 at: http://www.law.depaul.edu/centers_institutes/family_law/pdf/rape_report_feb%202008.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.law.depaul.edu/centers_institutes/family_law/pdf/rape_report_feb%202008.pdf Shelf Number: 119970 Keywords: RapeRape VictimsSexual Assault |
Author: Wells, Matthew Title: Afraid and Forgotten: Lawlessness, Rape and Impunity in Western Cote d'Ivoire Summary: This report documents the often brutal physical and sexual violence in the western administrative regions of Moyen Cavally and Dix-Huit Montagnes. The widespread criminality has been fueled by the disintegration of legal institutions, a failed disarmament process that has left the region awash with arms, and state officials’ refusal to respond to attacks. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2010. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2010/10/22/afraid-and-forgotten Year: 2010 Country: Cote d'Ivoire URL: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2010/10/22/afraid-and-forgotten Shelf Number: 120072 Keywords: Gun ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultViolent Crime |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Review Panel on Prison Rape Title: Report on Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Correctional Facilities Summary: Based on survey data and public hearings this report spotlights a total of six juvenile correctional facilities -- three with the lowest rates of sexual victimization, and three with the highest. The report contains observations and recommendations to assist both practitioners and advocates in the juvenile justice community to eliminate sexual victimization in the nation's juvenile correctional facilities. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2010. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reviewpanel/pdfs/panel_report_101014.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reviewpanel/pdfs/panel_report_101014.pdf Shelf Number: 120083 Keywords: Juvenile CorrectionsPrison RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Finkelhor, David Title: Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors Summary: This bulletin presents population-based epidemiological information about the characteristics of juvenile offenders who commit sex offenses against minors. The authors analyze data from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to describe the characteristics of the juvenile sex offender population who have come to the attention of law enforcement. Key findings include: •Juveniles account for more than one-third (36 percent) of those known to police to have committed sex offenses against minors. •Juveniles who commit sex offenses against other children are more likely than adult sex offenders to offend in groups, at schools, and to have more male and younger victims. Findings may support the development of research-based interventions and policies to reduce sexual assault and child molestation as perpetrated by juvenile offenders. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2009. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Juvenile Justice Bulletin, December 2009: Accessed October 29, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227763.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227763.pdf Shelf Number: 120130 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault |
Author: Guerino, Paul Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2007-2008 Summary: This report examines 2007 and 2008 data from the Survey of Sexual Violence (SSV). Conducted since 2004, the SSV is an annual collection of official records on incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual victimization. This report presents counts of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported to correctional authorities in adult prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities. Appendix tables include counts of sexual victimization, by type, for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, all state systems, and surveyed jail jurisdictions. An in-depth examination of substantiated incidents is also presented, covering the number and characteristics of victims and perpetrators, location, time of day, nature of the injuries, impact on the victims, and sanctions imposed on the perpetrators. Highlights include the following: Correctional administrators reported 7,444 allegations of sexual victimization in 2008 and 7,374 allegations in 2007. About 54% of substantiated incidents of sexual victimization involved only inmates, while 46% of substantiated incidents involved staff with inmates. Female inmates were disproportionately victimized by both other inmates and staff in federal and state prisons, as well as local jails. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: BJS Special Report: Accessed February 2, 2011 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0708.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0708.pdf Shelf Number: 120662 Keywords: InmatesJailsPrison RapePrisoners, Sexual VictimizationPrisonsSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Rubin, Mark Title: Sexual Assault Trends and Sex Offender Recidivism in Maine Summary: Concern about sex offenders and their behavior is understandably a topic of great public interest. Numerous public policy proposals target the management of sex offenders in prisons and in communities post‐release. Recent examples of such proposals include, but are not limited to, enhanced sanctions for convicted and repeat sex offenders, civil commitment for predatory sex offenders, the development of sex offender registries, and the use of advanced technology to monitor sex offenders and residency restrictions. Unfortunately, the quality and extent of the body of knowledge concerning sex offender behavior has not kept pace with either the sophistication or potential cost of some of these proposed policies. The purpose of this report is to shed light on trends in sex offending and the recidivism of sex offenders in Maine, by replicating the methods of Bureau of Justice Statistics special report, Recidivism of Sex Offenders Released from Prison in 1994. That study followed prisoners released from prison in 15 states during 1994 over a three year period, examining their patterns of incarceration. This report seeks to replicate, to the degree possible, the analysis and resulting data tables for sex offenders released from Maine’s state prisons over a five year period, from 2004‐2008. This report also examines sex offenders admitted to probation from 2004‐2007. The rationale for this inclusion is that offenders under community correctional supervision are a population of special interest, and that determining the progress of a group which had been subjected to supervision in the community might also have important policy implications. Each group was followed for a period of three years to identify re‐incarcerations. Details: Portland, ME: Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, 2010. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2011 at: http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/justiceresearch/Publications/Adult/Sexual_Assault_Trends_and_Sex_Offender_Recidivism_in_Maine_2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/justiceresearch/Publications/Adult/Sexual_Assault_Trends_and_Sex_Offender_Recidivism_in_Maine_2010.pdf Shelf Number: 120832 Keywords: RapistsRecidivismSex Offenders (Maine)Sexual Assault |
Author: Nordas, Ragnhild Title: Sexual Violence in African Conflicts Summary: This policy brief summarizes key findings from a pilot study of conflict-related sexual violence in conflicts in 20 African countries, encompassing 177 armed conflict actors – state armies, militias, and rebel groups. The study finds that, in Africa, sexual violence is: Mostly indiscriminate Committed only by some conflict actors Often committed by state armies Often committed in years with low levels of killings Often committed post-conflict The present study forms part of a larger research initiative on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict (SVAC). The aim of the SVAC project is to collect data that may be used to facilitate the prevention of sexual violence. To achieve this goal, the SVAC research group recommends: (a) that the pilot presented here be extended to the global level, (b) that future research focus on the location and timing of sexual violence; and (c) that increasing attention be paid towards policies of preventing sexual violence in conflict as well as post conflict situations. Details: Oslo: Centre for the Study of Civil War, Peace Research Institute, 2011. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: CSCW Policy Brief 01, 2011: Accessed February 22, 2011 at: http://www.prio.org/sptrans/2085163435/SVAC_policy_brief_Sexual%20Violence%20in%20African%20Conflicts.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://www.prio.org/sptrans/2085163435/SVAC_policy_brief_Sexual%20Violence%20in%20African%20Conflicts.pdf Shelf Number: 120845 Keywords: Sexual AssaultSexual Violence (Africa) |
Author: Esfahani, Asal Title: Countering Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Liberia Summary: More than three years after former president Charles Taylor relinquished power ending a 14 year bloody civil war, Liberia is at a pivotal point of transitioning from a post-conflict emergency setting towards reconstruction and development. However, the alarmingly high incidence of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of the most vulnerable populations in Liberia poses a significant threat to the success of development efforts. SEA perpetuates subsistence behavior and renders victims utterly dependent on others for their survival; it increases unwanted pregnancy and school drop-out rates, facilitates the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs and perpetuates societal trauma. Consequently, the government of Liberia, in collaboration with UN agencies, international and local NGOs and Liberian citizens has launched a nation-wide awareness-raising campaign against SEA, and many organizations are currently working to sensitize the mass population in order to counter widespread tolerance of this harmful practice. However, the cycle of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable groups persists at every level of Liberian society. This paper presents an exploratory study of the current state of SEA in Liberia. Our research seeks to determine the causes of SEA in Liberia, evaluate current responses to the problem and identify gaps in existing mechanisms to alleviate the problem. While sexual exploitation and abuse occurs throughout the world and at all levels of society, it is most prevalent in countries affected by poverty and conflict. In line with this, this paper proposes three root causes of SEA in Liberia: poverty, societal trauma and unregulated power differentials. Details: Washington, DC: George Washington University, 2007. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 24, 2011 at: http://www.gwu.edu/~oid/Capstone/2007%20Capstone/Countering%20Sexual%20Exploitation-Liberia.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Liberia URL: http://www.gwu.edu/~oid/Capstone/2007%20Capstone/Countering%20Sexual%20Exploitation-Liberia.pdf Shelf Number: 120871 Keywords: Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Exploitation (Liberia)Violence Against Women |
Author: PSEA In Country Network - Liberia Title: Prevention and Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Liberia: A Case Study Summary: In an effort to combat Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), the United Nations in Liberia has taken measures to prevent, report, and investigate SEA cases, and to impose sanctions against the perpetrators. One such measure was the development of the In-Country Network (ICN). The ICN is a network of representatives from the United Nations and international NGOs that serves as the primary body for coordination and oversight on prevention and response to SEA among the humanitarian community. Since its establishment in 2005, the ICN in Liberia has taken steps to ensure enhanced accountability, coordination, and communication relating to the prevention and response to cases of SEA by personnel working for the UN, its affiliated partners, international NGOs and other humanitarian assistance workers. Working in close collaboration with the government of Liberia and local partners, the ICN in Liberia has enjoyed a significant level of success in setting up mechanisms to implement international standards and policies relating to the prevention of SEA, not the least of which are the Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ST/SGB/2003/13 and the Statement of Commitment on Eliminating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN and Non-UN Personnel. The innovative approach taken in Liberia is a result of several enabling factors such as the country’s relatively small size and population, the Government's prioritization of the issue, a strong UN presence, and the large local and international civil society presence. Despite some of the specific conditions of the Liberian context, the Liberia approach to prevention and response to SEA can be adapted to other post-conflict and development settings. This case study highlights several areas of good practice that can be replicated. Details: Monrovia, Liberia: PSEA In Country Network - Liberia, 2008. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 24, 2011 at: http://www.un.org/en/pseataskforce/docs/prevention_and_response_to_sexual_exploitation_and_buse_in_l.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Liberia URL: http://www.un.org/en/pseataskforce/docs/prevention_and_response_to_sexual_exploitation_and_buse_in_l.pdf Shelf Number: 120872 Keywords: Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Exploitation (Liberia)Violence Against Women |
Author: Krebs, Christopher P., Lindquist, Christine H. Title: The Historically Black College and University Campus Sexual Assault (HBCU-CSA) Study Summary: Sexual assault has a substantial impact on both victims and society. Victims of sexual assault may suffer both immediate and long-term physical and mental health consequences, including injury, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Victims of sexual assault report increasing their visits to physicians by 18% the year of the assault, by 56% the year after the assault, and by 31% two years after the assault. Four out of five rape victims subsequently suffer from chronic physical or psychological conditions, and rape victims are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than persons who have not been crime victims and 6 times more likely than victims of other crimes. Overall, rape is believed to carry the highest annual victim cost of any crime: $127 billion (excluding child sex abuse cases). It is followed by assault at $93 billion per year, murder (excluding arson and drunk driving) at $61 billion per year, and child abuse at $56 billion per year. Given the substantial impact that sexual victimization has on individual victims and society, collecting information that advances our understanding of sexual assault, helps us prevent victimization, and better meets the needs of victims is critical. Although a considerable amount of research on sexual violence on college campuses has been conducted, very little of this research has involved historically black college and university (HBCU) students. As a result, there is a substantial gap in the literature and knowledge base about the magnitude of the problem, what is being done to reduce the problem, and what more can be done to prevent sexual violence and meet the needs of victims of sexual assault on HBCU campuses. The gap in research makes it difficult to fully understand the sexual assault experiences of African American students in general, given that almost 20% of African American baccalaureates receive their degree from HBCUs. RTI International was funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to conduct the HBCU Campus Sexual Assault (HBCU-CSA) Study. The HBCU-CSA Study was undertaken to document the prevalence — as well as associated personal and behavioral factors, context, consequences, and reporting—of distinct forms of sexual assault. This study also examines campus police and service provider perspectives on sexual victimization and student attitudes toward law enforcement and ideas about prevention and policy. Faculty, staff, and students at all four of the participating HBCUs, many of whom were women of color, played an invaluable role in ensuring that the study was culturally sensitive and would be well received by the population of undergraduate women at HBCUs. HBCU faculty, staff, and students collaborated with RTI on all aspects of the study including design, instrumentation, marketing and recruitment, and analysis and dissemination of findings. In the HBCU-CSA Study, the term “sexual assault” includes a wide range of victimizations, including rape and other forms of unwanted sexual contact (e.g., sexual battery). Following the typology put forth in the previously conducted CSA Study, we classify sexual assault based on how the assault was achieved. Virtually all sexual assault research distinguishes between assaults occurring as a result of physical force or threats of physical force and those that do not involve the use or threat of force. Similarly, in the HBCU-CSA Study, we consider physically forced sexual assault as a distinct category of assault. Another means through which sexual assault is achieved is incapacitation of the victim. Legal definitions of sexual assault factor in one’s ability to provide consent, and individuals who are incapacitated because of the effects of alcohol or drugs (or otherwise incapacitated, such as when they are unconscious or asleep) are incapable of consenting. Incapacitated sexual assault can be broken down into three subtypes: alcohol or other drug (AOD)-enabled, drug-facilitated, and other incapacitated sexual assault. Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is defined as unwanted sexual contact occurring when the victim is incapacitated and unable to provide consent after she has been given a drug without her knowledge or consent. If a woman experiences unwanted sexual contact when she is incapacitated and unable to provide consent because of voluntary consumption of alcohol or other drugs, we classify it as AOD-enabled sexual assault. Other incapacitated sexual assaults capture the remaining, and uncommon, situations in which a victim can be incapacitated, such as by being asleep or unconscious. The HBCU-CSA Study addresses several gaps in the existing literature and makes a number of contributions to the field. It is the first to generate prevalence estimates of sexual assault on a collection of HBCU campuses and thus enable us to explore whether findings on sexual assault generated from the “general” population of undergraduate women are consistent with the experiences of undergraduate women attending HBCUs. Furthermore, it is among the first to explore in substantial detail the responses to sexual assault by campus law enforcement (as well as service providers) based on data gathered both from victims themselves and from law enforcement and service provider staff. Learning more about the extent to which sexual assault is reported among HBCU students, and the criminal justice and service provider response to such reporting, is extremely important so we can assess the efficacy of these responses and make necessary policy and practice changes capable of improving the services for victims and ultimately preventing sexual assault. Details: Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI International, 2010. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233614.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233614.pdf Shelf Number: 121049 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesMinoritiesRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Firmin, Carlene Title: This Is It. This Is My Life... Female Voice in Violence Final Report On the Impact of Serious Youth Violence and Criminal Gangs on Women and Girls Across the Country Summary: This report presents a follow-up to ROTA (Race on the Agenda) Female Voice in Violence report that discovered the use of "rape as a weapon of choice" against women and girls in London finds more weapons, less choice for females suffering from serious violence across the country. Girls and women across the country who disclose experience of rape, torture, abuse, exploitation and manipulation as a result of their relationships with gang-associated male family members and peers are at risk of repeat abuse and victimisation. The report draws on face-to-face research with 352 friends, relatives, victims or perpetrators of gangs and gang violence. Ranging in age from 13-52, the experiences of these women and girls highlight lessons for policy makers and those working to prevent serious youth violence. The research highlighted concerns about the lack of appropriate services available to those females caught up in gangs, the use of sexual violence by gang members, and the impact of serious violence on their sexual and mental health. Details: London: Race on the Agenda (ROTA), 2011. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2011 at: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/ROTA_FVV_FINALREPORT_LoRes.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/ROTA_FVV_FINALREPORT_LoRes.pdf Shelf Number: 121105 Keywords: GangsRapeSexual AssaultYouth Violence (U.K.) |
Author: Ajayi, Titilope Title: State Responses to Women’s Security Challenges: An Assessment of Ghana’s Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit – Lessons for Nigeria Summary: Violence against women (VAW) is violence that is committed against women because they are women. It affects an estimated 1 in every 3 women worldwide (United Nations, 2006), depriving them of ‘their ability to achieve their full potential by threatening their safety, freedom and autonomy’. VAW has important health, social, and economic consequences for survivors, their families, and the communities and countries where they live (World Health Organisation, 2009). In the face of high levels of VAW and sexual victimization in Nigeria, much of it perpetrated with impunity by security officials, the blatant dearth of state-sponsored support services has contributed to low levels of reporting and unequal access to justice. Civil society has advocated actively against this and provided support in the form of counselling, shelters, hotlines, training and other activities intended to enhance police capacity to handle VAW. The impact that has been made, such as the creation of a gender violence desk in the Ilupeju police station in Lagos, Nigeria, is limited due to a lack of resources and inadequate government support. For this reason, there is a need for more targeted and coordinated interventions within the framework of national level policy support that would be best provided by a national domestic violence (DV) bill that has been pending since 2003. Gender desks exist in some police stations in Nigeria. Yet uneven knowledge of their status and mandate, even among police personnel, calls into question their effectiveness and relevance. This disparity, juxtaposed with UNIFEM’s praise for the desks as a useful tool for addressing VAW, indicates that the issue needs to be revisited and leads this paper to recommend the reorientation and reintroduction, as appropriate, of VAW units within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and set out guidelines for this project. Women’s police stations and units created within police stations to handle VAW are relatively recent and increasingly popular international phenomena recommended by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) as appropriate and effective tools for combating VAW. In Africa, these units currently exist in Namibia (1993), South Africa (1995), Sierra Leone (2001), Lesotho (2003), Liberia (2005), and Tanzania (2008) with mandates to eradicate gender based violence (GBV), including against children, regardless of where it occurs. Established in 1998, the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) is one of a few in Africa set up exclusively to handle cases of VAW. Although it is not perfect and this approach is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution to the scourge of VAW, there are important lessons to be learned from DOVVSU’s experiences. In light of prevailing high rates of VAW in Nigeria, and as a complement to ongoing police reform efforts there, there is a strong case for establishing a similar unit within the NPF. This report distils these lessons in an effort to assist the NPF in tackling Nigerian women’s security challenges in a more coherent and lasting manner. Section two discusses some common ‘causes’ of VAW while section three outlines the general context of security in the countries under study. Sections four and five examine state and non-state responses to VAW in both countries with a focus on what has driven and sustained the DOVVSU in Ghana. A final section sets out guidelines for improving the NPF’s response to VAW based on lessons from Ghana. Details: Santiago de Chile: The Global Consortium on Security Transformation (GCST), 2011. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: New Voices Series, No. 11: Accessed April 4, 2011 at: http://www.securitytransformation.org/images/publicaciones/200_New_Voices_Series_11_-_State_Responses_to_Womens_Security_Challenges.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://www.securitytransformation.org/images/publicaciones/200_New_Voices_Series_11_-_State_Responses_to_Womens_Security_Challenges.pdf Shelf Number: 121240 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Africa)Intimate Partner ViolencePolice and Domestic ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultVictims of Domestic Violence, Services forViolence Against Women |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: Initial Regulatory Impact Analysis for Notice of Proposed Rulemaking -- Proposed National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape Under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Summary: In the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), Pub. L. No. 108-79, codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 15601-15609, Congress directed the Attorney General to promulgate national standards for enhancing the prevention, detection, reduction, and punishment of prison rape. In doing so, Congress understood that such standards were likely to require federal, state, and local agencies (as well as private entities) that operate inmate confinement facilities to incur costs in implementing the standards. Given the statute’s aspiration to eliminate prison rape in the United States, Congress expected that some level of compliance costs would be appropriate, and indeed necessary, to foster a zero tolerance approach to prison rape. Nevertheless, Congress insisted that PREA’s aims be balanced against a sensitivity to the “budgetary circumstances” that often challenge the ability of correctional and law enforcement agencies to make major changes to their operating procedures. 42 U.S.C. § 15605(a). In mandating national standards, Congress thus instructed the Attorney General not to adopt any standards “that would impose substantial additional costs compared to the costs presently expended by Federal, State, and local prison authorities.” 42 U.S.C. § 15607(a)(3). This statutory obligation of cost-consciousness requires that the Department investigate the PREA standards’ costs and benefits before implementing a final Rule. Moreover, separate and apart from what PREA itself requires, under Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as amended without substantial change by Executive Order 13258, the Department is required to conduct an Initial Regulatory Impact Analysis (IRIA) to assess the benefits and costs of its proposed rule.1/ Similar requirements are found in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 601-610. Such an analysis must include an assessment of both the quantitative and qualitative benefits and costs of the proposed regulation, as well as a discussion of potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives. The purpose of an IRIA is to inform stakeholders in the regulatory process of the effects of the proposed rule. This IRIA is divided into seven parts. Parts I through IV identify and, where possible, quantify the benefits of reducing prison rape and sexual abuse. Specifically, we estimate the monetary value to society of reducing the prevalence of prison rape and sexual abuse by 1% from the baseline level. This allows us to determine what percentage reduction would need to ensue in order for the expected benefits of the standards to break even with their expected costs. We also take into account an unquantified amount representing the numerous nonmonetizable benefits of reducing prison rape and sexual abuse. Part V then identifies and estimates the costs associated with implementing and complying with the PREA standards. Part VI evaluates the reasonableness of the proposed standards in light of these costs and benefits. Part VII offers some concluding observations. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2011. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Docket No. OAG-131- RIN 1105-AB34: Accessed April 11, 2011 at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/programs/pdfs/prea_nprm_iria.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/programs/pdfs/prea_nprm_iria.pdf Shelf Number: 121294 Keywords: Prison RapePrison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)Sexual Assault |
Author: Kavanaugh, Philip R. Title: Storylines of Physical and Sexual Assault in Urban Nightlife: The Impact of Individual Disposition and Social Context Summary: The primary purposes of the current research are: (1) to examine how individual disposition and social context in criminal offending and victimization, and (2) examine this relationship in understudied crime locations – in this study, urban nightlife venues (i.e., bars and nightclubs). These social contexts provide a major source of leisure activity for numerous young adults today but remain an understudied hot-spot in mainstream criminology, despite the fact that levels of crime and victimization associated with these scenes is regarded as widespread and increasing. Examining crime and victimization in this increasingly popular socio-cultural context has the potential to expand the scope of criminology by accounting for settings and populations not sufficiently addressed in prior work. Theoretically I draw on the recently proposed storyline approach outlined by Robert Agnew. Using storylines as an analytical framework, I posit that as an individual enters certain social contexts, situations will arise that lead to opportunities for crime, deviance, and victimization. Whether outcomes such as physical and sexual assault occur depend on the three factors: (1) a certain individual disposition – which includes more static characteristics influenced by one’s background, as well as more ephemeral characteristics such emotional state and role identity, (2) a social context or spatial location that is either conducive to or prohibitive of criminal outcomes, and (3) a confrontation or situation that arises where an individual makes certain behavioral choices. Depending on the confluence of these three factors, some individuals will engage in crime, some will become victims, and others will either experience non-criminal outcomes or walk away from potentially dangerous situations. In order to provide empirical support for this thesis I use multi-method ethnographic data to construct: (1) storylines about respondent experiences with physical and sexual assault, (2) identity profiles to identify key dispositional or “background” factors, and (3) contextual profiles detailing the organization and atmosphere of the social spaces in which their criminal and victimization experiences occurred. The analysis then pairs 1-3 into what kind of combinations resulted in physical and sexual assault, and reveals the contribution of each of the three factors specified: situation, disposition, and context. This dissertation is a secondary analysis of a previous ethnographic study on which this author served as the primary research assistant/co-investigator. All analyses are based on information collected in this 2005-2006 ethnographic study. Details: Newark, DE: University of Delaware, 2010. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 13, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230408.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230408.pdf Shelf Number: 121324 Keywords: Alcohol Related CrimeBars and NightclubsRapeSexual AssaultVictimization |
Author: Wing, Janeena Title: Victims of Crime: Property, Violent Crime, Intimate Partner, Family Violence and Sexual Assault Summary: In 2009, violent crime affected 429.4 per 100,000 individuals within the United States dropping –5.2% from 2005 and –7.5% from 2000 (FBI, 2009). Idaho has also followed the national trend with fewer reported victims of crime year to year. This publication discusses the characteristics of victims of crime based on police reports compiled within the Idaho Incident Based Reporting System (IIBRS) between the years 2005 through 2009. Characteristics of victims of property crime, violent crime, domestic violence, family violence, and sexual assault are presented. Because the IIBRS database does not include indentifying information, it is not known how many victims are repeat victims of crime. Therefore, this report will only provide a description of victims of crime broken down by demographics as well as average rates by county, but will not provide information based on number of crimes experienced by the same victim. Information in many instances is aggregated over the five year period as opposed to showing year to year trends to provide a snapshot of typical circumstances surrounding incidents of crime. Crime types sensitive to variances between years including crimes occurring infrequently and crimes occurring in rural areas are more reliably researched when combining years. Important trends: • Total victims of crime, including individuals, businesses, government, financial institutions and religious organizations decreased by –11.1% over the five year period. • Total victims of non-violent crime decreased by –13.6% and victims of violent crime decreased by –5.2% between 2005 and 2009. • Over the five year period, the total number of property crime victims decreased –14.7% from 60,067 to 51,228. • Women are more commonly victims of violent crime than men (55.8% compared to 43.8%). • 21.0% of aggravated assault victims and 13.6% of homicide victims were intimately related to the offender. • 10.8% of aggravated assault victims and 18.2% of homicide victims had a familial relationship with the offender. • Victims of intimate partner violence decreased by –3% over the five year period. • Victims of family violence decreased by –6.0% over the five year period. • Since 2005, the numbers of victims has increased by 1.8%, but has decreased by - 11.0% since 2006. • The offender in 30.8% of sexual assaults was a family member. Details: Meridian, ID: Idaho Statistical Analysis Center, 2010. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2011 at: http://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/Research/documents/ictims2009.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.isp.idaho.gov/pgr/Research/documents/ictims2009.pdf Shelf Number: 121685 Keywords: Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceProperty CrimesSexual AssaultVictims of Crime (Idaho)Violent Crime |
Author: Wilson, Doug Title: An Evaluation of the Rhode Island Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Summary: The Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center (SATRC) of Rhode Island contracted with BOTEC Analysis Corporation with funding from the National Institute of Justice1 to undertake an evaluation of the principal legal effects on clients of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) operated by the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center. Local police, in the United States, have the unique role of determining the pool of defendants in crime investigations, given the ability and willingness of the victim to confirm them. Prosecutors then guided by the informal norms of the courtroom workgroup and their discretion choose from the pool of defendants. Police decisions to arrest and the prosecutor’s decision to file a felony complaint in sexual assaults constitute the primary official screening of these crimes. In the past 25 or more years, the criminal justice system has reformed sexual assault laws and communities have developed programs, such as rape crisis centers, and SART and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs, which are designed to provide catalysts to the effects of legal reforms. This evaluation is the first outcome evaluation of a SART program. The evaluation describes the SART process, which is a coordinated effort between the victim, The Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center (SATRC), the police department, the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, the prosecuting agency for felony sexual assaults. It also examines the outcome of this process. The SART program was initiated in January 2002. The evaluation covers assaults for a period, from September 2002 – August 2003 following the initial implementation phase. The cases were followed until July 2004. As should be expected the program is still developing, but nevertheless it has demonstrated positive effects in that there is demand among sexual assault victims for SART services. Victims who seek SART services have significant odds of being assaulted by a friend, acquaintance or relative, have a subsequent forensic exam, and believe that the offense is first degree sexual assault. Also, users of SART services are importantly less likely to have an initial finding of probable cause found by the police. The estimated probability of a victim choosing to be a SART client, whose assault is without these assault characteristics and the police find probable cause is 3 percent, while the probability of a victim seeking SART services with all of these assault characteristics and the police do not initially find probable cause is 89 percent. At this stage in the development of the SART program there is, however, no clear effect on the legal outcome of cases. Contingency analyses examined seven hypotheses about the legal effects of SART. They are: 1. SART increases the pool of defendants. 2. SART cases that are intimate partner sexual assaults are more likely to be charged in Superior Court. 3. Victims with forensic exams are more likely to have defendants charged in Superior Court. 4. SART victims with forensic exams are more likely to be charged in Superior Court. 5. Judicial processes for SART cases move more slowly and thus understate the effect of SART because of a SART case backlog. 6. SART cases after they are filed in Superior Court are less likely to be dismissed. 7. SART cases are more likely than non-SART cases to be charged in Superior Court. The application of Fisher’s exact test to each of these seven hypotheses provided no evidence that the null hypotheses should be questioned. These results, however, should be viewed with circumspection. The statistical power of the contingency analyses was modest, due to small sample sizes. That is, a longer test of SART and a larger sample might produce somewhat different results. Also, it may be that SART efforts have helped to maintain a “level playing field” and that that the consistent null results in the contingency analyses demonstrates SART’s success at maintaining the likelihood that acquaintance assaults will be prosecuted, which is an outcome of rape law reform legislated several years earlier. That is, SART programs may be a lagged social response to social-legislative-judicial change. Finally, SART’s effect may “spillover” to the prosecution of sexual assault cases in which the victim does not use SART services. As a result there is a null difference between the outcome of SART and non-SART cases. The literature review of police and prosecution of sexual assault in other jurisdictions indicates that the reform of sexual assault laws has increased the likelihood of the prosecution of acquaintance rapes relative to stranger rapes. Nevertheless discussions with the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General indicate that SART cases, many of which by their characteristics are acquaintance assaults and are coupled with a lack of an initial finding by the police of probable cause, are more difficult to prosecute. Furthermore, as is discussed in the literature review, informal arrest and prosecution guidelines for sexual assault continue to apply extra-legal standards, such as evidence of resistance. For example, in this study, when the police failed to find probable cause it was strongly related to a lack of injury; that is, a failure to resist. Details: Waltham, MA: BOTEC Analysis Corporation, 2005. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/210584.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/210584.pdf Shelf Number: 121699 Keywords: ProsecutionRapeSex OffendersSexual AssaultVictims of Sexual Assault |
Author: Contreras, Juan Manuel Title: Sexual Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Desk Review Summary: The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work”. A limited but growing body of evidence suggests that sexual violence is a serious problem throughout Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) – both as a public health problem and a violation of human rights. This document reviews what is known about sexual violence in the LAC region. It aims to explore the magnitude, patterns and risk factors associated with sexual violence, as well as the legal and policy frameworks, women’s responses to sexual violence, access to services and service responses, promising interventions, research gaps and priorities for future research. Over two hundred published and unpublished documents were reviewed to prepare this document. Grey literature was identified through internet-based searches and from experts working in the region. The scope of this review is primarily based on research produced between 2000 and the present. While an effort has been made to cover the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, research is not available for all countries in the region. As such, this document should be considered the first phase in an ongoing process of consolidating the existing evidence and identifying research gaps and priorities for this culturally, racially and geographically diverse region. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative, Gender and Health Research Unit. Medical Research Council, 2010.92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2011 at: http://www.svri.org/SexualViolenceLACaribbean.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Central America URL: http://www.svri.org/SexualViolenceLACaribbean.pdf Shelf Number: 121723 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseDomestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Latin America and Caribbean) |
Author: Caponera, Betty Title: Sex Crime Trends in New Mexica: An Analysis of Data from The New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository 2005-2009 Summary: This report includes an analysis of 2009 sex crimes data from the New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository, which includes findings from law enforcement, service providers and statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) units. It also includes findings of a four-year trend analysis on data from law enforcement and service provider agencies, and a first-time five-year trends analysis on data from statewide SANE programs. Details: Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository, 2010. 248p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 30, 2011 at: http://www.cvrc.state.nm.us/pdf/Sex%20Crimes%202009%20Report%20Aug2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cvrc.state.nm.us/pdf/Sex%20Crimes%202009%20Report%20Aug2010.pdf Shelf Number: 121921 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInterpersonal ViolenceSex Offenses (New Mexico)Sexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: Farrell, Brenda S. Title: Military Justice: Oversight and Better Collaboration Needed for Sexual Assault Investigations and Adjudications Summary: The crime of sexual assault has serious consequences for both the aggrieved and the accused. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of impartially administering justice in order to promote accountability and confidence that such allegations are taken seriously. GAO was asked to address the extent to which (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) conducts oversight of the military services' investigative organizations and (2) the services provide resources for investigations and adjudications of alleged sexual assault incidents. GAO also identified an issue relating to the military's criminal code during this review. GAO analyzed relevant DOD and service policies and procedures; reviewed applicable laws, including provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and interviewed senior DOD and service officials, including a total of 48 judge advocates and DOD civilian lawyers, at the headquarters level and at five selected military installations. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) developed a policy on sexual assault prevention and response. In June 2006, OSD published DOD Instruction 6495.02, which specifies that the DOD Inspector General's Office shall develop policy and oversee sexual assault investigations and related training for the DOD criminal investigative organizations. However, the Inspector General's Office has not performed these responsibilities, primarily because it believes it has other, higher priorities. For example, GAO found no evidence of Inspector General oversight at the service level for any of the 2,594 sexual assault investigations that DOD reported the services completed in fiscal year 2010. Without a policy and plan for conducting oversight, the Inspector General's Office will remain limited in its ability to help ensure consistency and accountability, and that training is being conducted in the most effective manner. Consistent with the Secretary of Defense's priorities for sexual assault prevention and response, each service provides various resources to support investigations and adjudications of alleged sexual assault incidents. Specifically, each service has provided personnel who advise and assist on investigations and adjudications of sexual assault incidents. Each service's investigative and legal organizations also received funding, above their operating budgets, for efforts to enhance investigations and adjudications of sexual assault. For example, in fiscal year 2009, Army investigators received $4.4 million to redesign training on sexual assault investigations. However, the services' investigative and legal organizations are not fully capitalizing on opportunities to leverage each other's expertise and limited resources. For example, the Secretary of Defense, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, recommended that the services' investigative organizations co-locate to achieve operational synergies. However, the services currently have no plan for using opportunities such as the co-location--a move that has cost over $426 million and reportedly saved about $53 million for infrastructure support from fiscal years 2006 through 2011--to better leverage expertise and limited resources. Judge advocates also collaborate on some initiatives, but do not have a plan for leveraging resources either. Without a plan, the services cannot help ensure that resources are sustained and efficiencies are maximized. GAO met with judge advocates who consistently expressed concerns, similar to those noted in a 2009 Defense Task Force report, that a 2007 amendment to Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice complicates sexual assault prosecutions and may be causing unwarranted acquittals. Specifically, judge advocates stated that there is a lack of clarity with regard to the meaning of certain terms in the amended article, which makes it more difficult to prosecute these cases. Further, recent opinions issued by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces addressed constitutional issues that may arise related to the burden of proof in certain situations. For fiscal year 2012, DOD proposed revisions to Congress intended to remedy some of these issues. GAO is recommending that DOD develop policy and provide oversight for sexual assault investigations and related training, and for the services to develop a plan to better leverage expertise and limited resources. DOD and the Inspector General concurred with the recommendations, although the Inspector General disagreed with the characterization of its performance. GAO believes its findings are accurate, as addressed more fully in the report. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-11-579: Accessed July 2, 2011 at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11579.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11579.pdf Shelf Number: 121961 Keywords: Military Justice (U.S.)Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault |
Author: Wolfe, Lauren Title: The Silencing Crime: Sexual Violence and Journalists Summary: Few cases of sexual assault against journalists have ever been documented, a product of powerful cultural and professional stigmas. But now dozens of journalists are coming forward to say they have been sexually abused in the course of their work. Details: New York: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2011. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed August 3, 2011 at: http://www.cpj.org/reports/CPJ.Sexual.Assault.Journalists.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.cpj.org/reports/CPJ.Sexual.Assault.Journalists.pdf Shelf Number: 122288 Keywords: JournalistsSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Brown, Jennifer Title: Connections and Disconnections: Assessing Evidence, Knowledge and Practice in Responses to Rape Summary: The Stern Review was announced by the Government Equalities Office on 22nd September 2009, in part as a response to concerns raised by the Reid and Worboys cases. In these cases, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) responsible for various investigative failures when responding to complaints by rape victim-survivors. John Yates, an MPS Assistant Commissioner and the, then, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead for rape noted that notwithstanding a raft of changes and innovations in the investigation and prosecution of rape the response had been “policy rich and implementation poor.” This literature review is a question led, adapted Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) designed to support Baroness Stern’s review. This method was chosen largely because time constraints precluded the undertaking of a full systematic review of the literature (which can take up to a year to complete). REAs provide quick summaries of what is already known about a topic and use systematic review methods to search and evaluate the literature. The Government Social Research Unit has produced an REA toolkit which was followed in preparing this overview of the relevant research literature. In short, criteria for searching for published research papers were set and a strategy was established for searching for the unpublished (grey) literature. Details: London: Government Equalities Office, 2010. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2011 at: http://homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/ Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/ Shelf Number: 122572 Keywords: Rape (U.K.)Rape VictimsSexual Assault |
Author: Schwartz, Martin D. Title: National Institute of Justice Visiting Fellowship: Police Investigation of Rape-Roadblocks and Solutions Summary: This project began as a qualitative investigation into the views of sexual assault detectives. However, in consultation with NIJ Managers, the decision was made to add a quantitative component. Since these two parts are related, but are comprised of vastly different data gathering and analysis schemes, so too this report will be similarly split. The first part of this report covers what was designed to be an exploratory study to explore the attitudes and experiences of active and experienced police rape investigators. The second half of the study, a pencil and paper study of active duty patrol officers (as opposed to investigators), will be reported in the second section of this report. An important supposition behind this study has been that despite an enormous literature on police investigation of sexual assault, very little of this prior study involved speaking to police officers themselves. In particular, part one of the study was designed to ask police detectives what they perceived as their frustrations, roadblocks, or obstacles to successfully completing a rape investigation, and then as a follow-up to ask these same officers what they have been able to successfully do in order to bypass these roadblocks or obstacles. In these qualitative interviews a variety of subtopics was drawn from the literature to be investigated. In some cases these subtopics were ones commonly represented in the literature as problems often faced by police. In other cases, informants, women’s groups, and the various published stories of rape survivors suggested other topics that traditionally have not been discussed extensively in the police literature. Finally, some attempt was made to discuss frustrations or roadblocks that officers might have within their own organizations, with other organizations (e.g., the district attorney’s office) that might hinder successful prosecution of cases, from their point of view. In the report below, the basic literature that led to the various questions and topics will be reviewed. After this, the literature in each of the subtopics will be introduced, and the findings of this study will be explained in that area. The most important findings will appear toward the end, in dealing with false reports. Finally, a first attempt at recommendations that come out of this study will be made. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 27, 2011 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232667.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/232667.pdf Shelf Number: 122908 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsPolice AttitudesRapeSexual AssaultVictims of Sexual Assault |
Author: Loots, Lizle Title: Global Review of National Prevention Policies Summary: This review involves an analysis of literature on risk factors and social dynamics underpinning rape and critique of best practice in rape prevention policy internationally. Over 140 National policies and action plans from 110 different countries are currently being reviewed to identify gaps in government prevention efforts. This review is being undertaken internally by the SVRI secretariat. This review will be used to identify and address the critical areas that need to be a focus of attention in developing evidence-based strategies and national policies. On completion of this review, a workshop will be convened with multi-sectoral invitees from Government, as well as researchers and representatives from non-governmental organisations. The review will be presented at the workshop and at least two other stakeholders in the field will be asked to present, including responding to the review and to discuss its policy implications. This review will ultimately contribute towards shifting the policy arena in the area and honing of the research agenda on preventing rape. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative; South African Medical Research Council, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed Ocboer 6, 2011 at: http://www.svri.org/GlobalReview.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/GlobalReview.pdf Shelf Number: 122997 Keywords: RapeSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Women's Health Goulburn North East Title: BSAFE Pilot Project 2007-2010 Summary: Bsafe is a personal alarm system and risk management option primarily for people escaping family violence and sexualised assault perpetrated by intimate partners. Bsafe utilises VitalCall / Chubb Security who supply two types of products - a water-proof pendant that operates via the home telephone line that can be activated within the area of the victim‟s home and garden, and a „mobile unit‟ which is similar to a mobile phone. The mobile unit is used where there is mobile coverage and allows Bsafe clients increased autonomy and security when out in the community. When either device is activated an alarm is sent to the 24 hour VitalCall1 response centre that immediately alerts 000 for a police response while continuing to monitor and record the call and what is happening in the home. Such recordings can later be used as evidence for court proceedings. The option of a prepaid mobile phone is available to clients without a phone to assist referral agencies in maintaining contact with them. The Emergency Safety Kit, now known as Bsafe, was a Victoria Police initiative developed within the Benalla Family Violence Prevention Network. During a Rotary study exchange trip to Sweden in 2003, Victoria Police Sergeant Peter Milligan observed a model where safety kits were being utilised by family violence victims still at risk of further violence. Believing that the concept could effectively operate within the Victoria Police, in 2006 the Benalla Family Violence Prevention Network trialled the emergency safety kit in Benalla Rural City. Four women escaping intimate partner violence were involved in the trial with 23 accompanying children. The trial showed that the women and their children were able to remain in their own homes. The women reported that having the kit provided them with an extra sense of security; they felt reassured that their concerns for their safety were being taken seriously and that the response by police would be timely. Women also reported that their perceptions of safety significantly increased once they had access to the kit. 6 Following the success of the trial, in 2007 Women‟s Health Goulburn North East, in partnership with the Victoria Police, secured three year funding from the National Community Crime Prevention Programme for a Bsafe pilot in the Hume region. As the regional women‟s health service with clearly established relationships with the integrated family violence service system, Women‟s Health Goulburn North East was ideally placed to coordinate the project in partnership with the Victoria Police. Details: Wangaratta, VIC: Women's Health Goulburn North East, 2010. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2011 at: http://www.whealth.com.au/documents/work/Bsafe_final_report_2011.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.whealth.com.au/documents/work/Bsafe_final_report_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 123366 Keywords: Battered WomenFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against WomenWife Abuse |
Author: U.S. Department of Defense Title: Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies: Academic Program Year 2010–2011 Summary: Section 532 of Public Law Number 109-364, the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, requires an assessment at the Military Service Academies (MSA) during each Academic Program Year (APY). This assessment is to determine the effectiveness of the policies, training, and procedures of the academy with respect to sexual harassment and assault involving academy personnel. In APYs beginning in even-numbered years (e.g., APY 10-11), the Report is comprised of the Department’s assessment, statistical data on sexual assault, and results of focus groups of cadets and midshipmen conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). The Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) and the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) use this annual assessment as an oversight tool to monitor improvement of the Department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) and Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Programs. To that end, the assessment of the SAPR and POSH Programs was organized by the priorities established in the DoD-wide SAPR Strategic Plan approved in December 2009. For APY 10-11, the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point is overall partially in compliance with the Department’s policies regarding sexual harassment and assault. Actions undertaken by USMA will ensure compliance with Department Policy for sexual harassment and assault, as well as enhance the program. USMA will ensure all cadets and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are trained in accordance with the Department’s policies; reporting options are clear and in line with Policy; and provide effective oversight of the SAPR and POSH Programs. USMA did demonstrate one commendable practice that should be considered for replication by other MSAs. The Department will reassess USMA before the next Report to Congress in order to document improvement in the program. Overall, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) is in compliance with the Department’s policies regarding sexual harassment and assault for APY 10-11. USNA put considerable time and effort into the Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention and Education training program to prevent sexual harassment and assault. Additionally, USNA has a well-organized SAPR staff to train midshipmen and support victims. However, there are areas for improvement to USNA’s program and initiatives pertaining to training effectiveness. Additionally, USNA demonstrated four commendable practices that should be considered for replication by other MSAs. The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is in compliance with the Department’s policies regarding sexual harassment and assault for APY 10-11. USAFA’s SAPR and POSH Programs are mature and robust. These programs were taken seriously and given the appropriate attention at the Academy. USAFA has implemented innovative and unique ideas to draw awareness to this issue and provided support to victims. However, there are areas for continued improvement of USAFA’s program. Additionally, USAFA demonstrated nine commendable practices that should be considered for replication by other MSAs. One of the Department’s strategic priorities is to build a climate of confidence that brings more victims forward to report sexual assault and to obtain needed support and services. During APY 10-11, there were a total of 65 reports of sexual assault; 38 Unrestricted Reports and 27 Restricted Reports. Initially, the MSAs received a total of 37 Restricted Reports, but 10 converted to Unrestricted Reports at the victims’ request. The 65 reports represent an increase from the 41 reports made in APY 09-10. The Department does not have the ability to conclusively identify the reasons for this increase in reporting behavior. However, in prior years’ assessments, the Department identified steps the academies could take to encourage more victims to report. Some of the increased reporting of sexual assault may be attributed to these efforts as well as many other factors. DMDC conducted focus groups at all three MSAs in the Spring of APY 10-11 covering topics such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, reporting, leadership response, training, and bystander intervention. Although focus group results are not able to be generalized to all students at each of the MSAs, the themes serve as illustrations of situations and attitudes for consideration in the assessment of the SAPR and POSH Programs. The academies should analyze focus group responses to improve SAPR and POSH Programs. Areas include reasons for not reporting a sexual assault, training improvements and the issue of sexual assault victim collateral misconduct. The MSAs did not complete all the recommendations from the APY 08-09 Report. The academies must implement the remaining 18 recommendations from the APY 08-09 Report, and the necessary actions items put forth in the APY 10-11 Report in a timely manner. Additionally, the academies will provide an update on implementation before the end of the APY. The Department will follow up with the academies every 6 months thereafter to ensure all actions are completed. While a number of challenges remain, the Department believes the greatest of these pertain to the prevention and reporting of sexual assault. Using survey and focus group data, the Department encourages the academies to employ their considerable academic and programmatic resources to implement meaningful, evidence-based prevention and reporting interventions. In addition, identifying and tracking key measurements over time will be critical to demonstrate to stakeholders the efforts underway at the MSAs. Preventing sexual harassment and assault at the MSAs, as well as in all aspects of military service, remains a top priority for the Department. The APY 10-11 report demonstrates some progress towards that goal. However, more can be done in the prevention of and response to sexual misconduct. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, 2011. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 10, 2012 at: http://www.sapr.mil/media/pdf/reports/FINAL_APY_10-11_MSA_Report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.sapr.mil/media/pdf/reports/FINAL_APY_10-11_MSA_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 123555 Keywords: Military AcademiesSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentVictims of Crimes |
Author: Franklin, Cortney A. Title: Risk Factors Associated with Women’s Victimization Summary: The prevalence of victimization on college campuses has been the focus of study for decades. Research indicates that campus crime is relatively problematic, but that sexual assault risk is epidemic. Specifically, prevalence estimates have suggested that 25 percent of college women will experience attempted or completed rape during their college career.1 More recent work has reported incidents rates that range from 15 to 30 percent.2, 3, 4 This study focused on women’s routine activities and levels of self-control as they related to property, personal, and sexual assault victimization. The findings indicated that: • Decreases in self-control produced increases in victimization for college women • The risk of property victimization increased when women spent more time shopping and partying. Additionally, living off campus, participation in drug sales, and being in their early years of college increased property victimization risk among these University women • Personal victimization was not so much related to spending time away from home, but was related to living off campus and participating in drug sales behavior • The risk of sexual assault victimization increased with time spent on campus and time spent partying The results presented in this report provide important implications for crime prevention strategies on Texas college campuses. Details: Huntsville, TX: Crime Victims' Institute, Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice Center, 2011. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2012 at: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Risk%20Factors%20Final%20Print.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/Risk%20Factors%20Final%20Print.pdf Shelf Number: 123557 Keywords: Campus CrimeColleges and UniversitiesFemale VictimsSex CrimesSexual AssaultVictims of Crime |
Author: Black, Michele C. Title: National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report Summary: Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are major public health problems in the United States. Many survivors of these forms of violence can experience physical injury, mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide attempts, and other health consequences such as gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and gynecological or pregnancy complications. These consequences can lead to hospitalization, disability, or death. Our understanding of these forms of violence has grown substantially over the years. However, timely, ongoing, and comparable national and state-level data are lacking. Less is also known about how these forms of violence impact specific populations in the United States or the extent to which rape, stalking, or violence by a romantic or sexual partner are experienced in childhood and adolescence. CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control launched the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2010 with the support of the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Defense to address these gaps. The primary objectives of the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey are to describe: • The prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence • Who is most likely to experience these forms of violence • The patterns and impact of the violence experienced by specific perpetrators • The health consequences of these forms of violence The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey is an ongoing, nationally representative random digit dial (RDD) telephone survey that collects information about experiences of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence among non-institutionalized English and/or Spanish-speaking women and men aged 18 or older in the United States. NISVS provides detailed information on the magnitude and characteristics of these forms of violence for the nation and for individual states. This report presents information related to several types of violence that have not previously been measured in a national population-based survey, including types of sexual violence other than rape; expressive psychological aggression and coercive control, and control of reproductive or sexual health. This report also provides the first ever simultaneous national and state-level prevalence estimates of violence for all states. The findings presented in this report are for 2010, the first year of data collection, and are based on complete interviews. Complete interviews were obtained from 16,507 adults (9,086 women and 7,421 men). The relative standard error (RSE), which is a measure of an estimate’s reliability, was calculated for all estimates in this report. If the RSE was greater than 30%, the estimate was deemed unreliable and is not reported. Consideration was also given to the case count. If the estimate was based on a numerator ≤20, the estimate is also not reported. Estimates for certain types of violence reported by subgroups of men such as rape victimization by racial/ethnic group are not shown because the number of men in these subgroups reporting rape was too small to calculate a reliable estimate. These tables are included in the report so that the reader can easily determine what was assessed and where gaps remain. Key Findings Sexual Violence by Any Perpetrator • Nearly 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives, including completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration. • More than half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance; for male victims, more than half (52.4%) reported being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger. • Approximately 1 in 21 men (4.8%) reported that they were made to penetrate someone else during their lifetime; most men who were made to penetrate someone else reported that the perpetrator was either an intimate partner (44.8%) or an acquaintance (44.7%). • An estimated 13% of women and 6% of men have experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime (i.e., unwanted sexual penetration after being pressured in a nonphysical way); and 27.2% of women and 11.7% of men have experienced unwanted sexual contact. • Most female victims of completed rape (79.6%) experienced their first rape before the age of 25; 42.2% experienced their first completed rape before the age of 18 years. • More than one-quarter of male victims of completed rape (27.8%) experienced their first rape when they were 10 years of age or younger. Stalking Victimization by Any Perpetrator • One in 6 women (16.2%) and 1 in 19 men (5.2%) in the United States have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed. • Two-thirds (66.2%) of female victims of stalking were stalked by a current or former intimate partner; men were primarily stalked by an intimate partner or an acquaintance, 41.4% and 40.0%, respectively. • Repeatedly receiving unwanted telephone calls, voice, or text messages was the most commonly experienced stalking tactic for both female and male victims of stalking (78.8% for women and 75.9% for men). • More than half of female victims and more than one-third of male victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before the age of 25; about 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 14 male victims experienced stalking between the ages of 11 and 17. Violence by an Intimate Partner • More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. • Among victims of intimate partner violence, more than 1 in 3 women experienced multiple forms of rape, stalking, or physical violence; 92.1% of male victims experienced physical violence alone, and 6.3% experienced physical violence and stalking. • Nearly 1 in 10 women in the United States (9.4%) has been raped by an intimate partner in her lifetime, and an estimated 16.9% of women and 8.0% of men have experienced sexual violence other than rape by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. • About 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (e.g., hit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something) at some point in their lifetime. • An estimated 10.7% of women and 2.1% of men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime. • Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively). • Most female and male victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner (69% of female victims; 53% of male victims) experienced some form of intimate partner violence for the first time before 25 years of age. Impact of Violence by an Intimate Partner • Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported at least one impact related to experiencing these or other forms of violent behavior in the relationship (e.g., being fearful, concerned for safety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, need for health care, injury, contacting a crisis hotline, need for housing services, need for victim’s advocate services, need for legal services, missed at least one day of work or school). Violence Experienced by Race/Ethnicity • Approximately 1 in 5 Black (22.0%) and White (18.8%) non-Hispanic women, and 1 in 7 Hispanic women (14.6%) in the United States have experienced rape at some point in their lives. More than one-quarter of women (26.9%) who identified as American Indian or as Alaska Native and 1 in 3 women (33.5%) who identified as multiracial non-Hispanic reported rape victimization in their lifetime. • One out of 59 White non-Hispanic men (1.7%) has experienced rape at some point in his life. Nearly one-third of multiracial non-Hispanic men (31.6%) and over one-quarter of Hispanic men (26.2%) reported sexual violence other than rape in their lifetimes. • Approximately 1 in 3 multiracial non-Hispanic women (30.6%) and 1 in 4 American Indian or Alaska Native women (22.7%) reported being stalked during their lifetimes. One in 5 Black non-Hispanic women (19.6%), 1 in 6 White non-Hispanic women (16.0%), and 1 in 7 Hispanic women (15.2%) experienced stalking in their lifetimes. • Approximately 1 in 17 Black non-Hispanic men (6.0%), and 1 in 20 White non-Hispanic men (5.1%) and Hispanic men (5.1%) in the United States experienced stalking in their lifetime. • Approximately 4 out of every 10 women of non-Hispanic Black or American Indian or Alaska Native race/ethnicity (43.7% and 46.0%, respectively), and 1 in 2 multiracial non-Hispanic women (53.8%) have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. • Nearly half (45.3%) of American Indian or Alaska Native men and almost 4 out of every 10 Black and multiracial men (38.6% and 39.3%, respectively) experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Number and Sex of Perpetrators • Across all types of violence, the majority of both female and male victims reported experiencing violence from one perpetrator. • Across all types of violence, the majority of female victims reported that their perpetrators were male. • Male rape victims and male victims of non-contact unwanted sexual experiences reported predominantly male perpetrators. Nearly half of stalking victimizations against males were also perpetrated by males. Perpetrators of other forms of violence against males were mostly female. Violence in the 12 Months Prior to Taking the Survey • One percent, or approximately 1.3 million women, reported being raped by any perpetrator in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • Approximately 1 in 20 women and men (5.6% and 5.3%, respectively) experienced sexual violence victimization other than rape by any perpetrator in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • About 4% of women and 1.3% of men were stalked in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • An estimated 1 in 17 women and 1 in 20 men (5.9% and 5.0%, respectively) experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. Health Consequences • Men and women who experienced rape or stalking by any perpetrator or physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime were more likely to report frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty with sleeping, activity limitations, poor physical health and poor mental health than men and women who did not experience these forms of violence. Women who had experienced these forms of violence were also more likely to report having asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes than women who did not experience these forms of violence. State-Level Estimates • Across all types of violence examined in this report, state-level estimates varied with lifetime estimates for women ranging from 11.4% to 29.2% for rape; 28.9% to 58% for sexual violence other than rape; and 25.3% to 49.1% for rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. • For men, lifetime estimates ranged from 10.8% to 33.7% for sexual violence other than rape; and 17.4% to 41.2% for rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Details: Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2012 at: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf Shelf Number: 123595 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalkingVictimization SurveyViolence Against Women |
Author: Moumneh, Rasha Title: “They Hunt Us Down for Fun”: Discrimination and Police Violence Against Transgender Women in Kuwait Summary: In 2007 the Kuwaiti parliament outlawed “imitating the opposite sex”, paving the way for police to arbitrarily detain, torture, and sexually harass and abuse transgender women in Kuwait with impunity. Despite a formal state recognition of Gender Identity Disorder, arrests of transgender women continue unabated. The police often take advantage of the law to blackmail transgender women for sex, and redress for police abuse is difficult, if not impossible, for fear of reprisal and re-arrest. The law does not criminalize any specific act or behavior, but rather an appearance whose interpretation is left entirely up to the whims of the police, giving them free reign to decide who is breaking the law and how it is broken. This report documents the abuse, violence, and persecution faced by transgender women at the hands of the police as well as the discrimination they face on a daily basis as a result of this law. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 17, 2012 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/kuwait0112ForUpload.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Kuwait URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/kuwait0112ForUpload.pdf Shelf Number: 123645 Keywords: Bias CrimesHate CrimesPolice Use of ForceSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceTransgenderViolence Against Women (Kuwait) |
Author: Dedel, Kelly Title: Sexual Assault of Women by Strangers Summary: This guide begins by describing the problem of sexual assault of women by strangers and reviewing factors that increase its risks. It then lists a series of questions to help you analyze your local sexual assault problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem and what is known about them from evaluative research and police practice. Sexual assault of women by strangers is but one aspect of the larger set of sexual violence related problems. This guide is limited to addressing the particular harms sexual assaults by strangers cause women. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2011. 64p. Source: Problem-Specific Guides Series, Problem-Oriented Guides for Police No. 62, Internet Resource: Accessed on February 3, 2012 at http://www.popcenter.org/problems/pdfs/sex_assault_women.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.popcenter.org/problems/pdfs/sex_assault_women.pdf Shelf Number: 123925 Keywords: Community Oriented PolicingFemale VictimsPolice ResponseSexual Assault |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Guidelines for the Forensic analysis of drugs facilitating sexual assault and other criminal acts Summary: Drug-facilitated crimes are criminal acts carried out by means of administering a substance to a person with the intention of impairing behaviour, perceptions or decision-making capacity. Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs when a person is subjected to sexual act(s) while they are incapacitated or unconscious due to the effect(s) of ethanol, a drug and/or other intoxicating substance, and as a result unable to resist or consent to such acts. While the covert use of drugs to facilitate crimes has occurred over the centuries, it has recently been highlighted by a significant increase in reports worldwide. In response to UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) resolution 53/7 on 'International cooperation in countering the covert administration of psychoactive substances related to sexual assault and other criminal acts', UNODC organized a meeting of international subject-matter experts and developed Guidelines for the Forensic analysis of drugs facilitating sexual assault and other criminal acts. These Guidelines outline the investigative and analytical challenges related to drug-facilitated crimes and emphasize the importance of evidence collection as a basis for further investigation. They address the limitations of the analytical toxicological investigation and other issues that may impact the interpretation of results. Detailed consideration is given to all analytical aspects important in the detection and identification of substances and interpretation of results in the context of drug-facilitated sexual assault cases. The importance of collaboration of all parties involved in the investigation and the importance of collecting consistent data is also emphasized. The Guidelines aim to assist in the investigation, analytical detection and prosecution in drug-facilitated crime cases and provide guidance specifically to: i)investigators and medical professionals as to requirements for successful evidence collection including sample collection and storage; and ii) analytical toxicologists to carry out analysis of these substances and interpret results in cases of drug-facilitated crimes. Details: Vienna, Austria: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 14, 2012 at http://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/forensic_analys_of_drugs_facilitating_sexual_assault_and_other_criminal_acts.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/forensic_analys_of_drugs_facilitating_sexual_assault_and_other_criminal_acts.pdf Shelf Number: 124136 Keywords: Criminal EvidenceDrugs and CrimeForensic ScienceForensicsSexual Assault |
Author: Anderson, Vincent J. Title: Decrease the Number of Contract Laboratory Cases Awaiting Data Review While Improving DNA Analysis Efficiency Summary: As of September 30, 2011, case turn-around time increased from 71 days to 108 days for delivery of the final report, due to the assigning of older cases in the backlog and a change in reporting dates. The samples per analyst per month increased 82 percent from a baseline of 15.9 to 29.0. Also, the backlog of requests for DNA analysis decreased approximately 52 percent from a baseline of 3,107 to 1,491. Although no funds from this grant were directly used to fund the validation of new analytical platforms, because of funds used from this grant for overtime to perform subcontractor reviews, LAPD personnel were able to conduct research into developing a method for spermatozoa identification and extraction using Laser Micro dissection. As of September 30, 2011, LAPD has reviewed 2,865 reports from outside vendors under the Efficiency Grant. Those reviews have led to 1,705 cases with at least one CODIS upload and 895 cases with at least one CODIS Hit Notification. Those cases were reviewed on grant-funded overtime in the amount of $238,061.64. This grant stemmed from the LAPD’s need to upload subcontractor DNA profiles into the CODIS database in a timely and efficient manner while still allowing time to develop and implement DNA analysis efficiency measures. This circumstance encouraged the LAPD to apply for the 2009 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement grant (Efficiency Grant). Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2011. 66p. Source: NCJ 236693: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2012 at https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236693.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236693.pdf Shelf Number: 124427 Keywords: Crime LaboratoriesDNA FingerprintingDNA Typing (U.S.)Forensic ScienceForensicsSexual Assault |
Author: Shannon, David Title: Child Rapes Reported to the Police: An Update and Comparison of the Years 1995-2008 Summary: It is widely accepted that the dark figure for sexual offences against children is very large. Since the 1980s, however, as the level of attention focused on children’s exposure to sex crime has increased, the number of sex offences against children reported to the Swedish police has also increased substantially, and continues to rise. In the context of the generally increasing trend in the number of reported sex offences against children, Swedish crime statistics show marked differences in the trends for different categories of sex crime. Since the mid-1990s, for example, and particularly subsequent to 2004, there has been a very marked increase in the number of child sex offences that have been registered by the police as suspected completed rapes. At the same time, the number of reported offences registered under the crime codes for sexual exploitation/sexual assault and attempted rape have followed somewhat different trends. It is likely that the variation in the statistical trends followed by different types of registered sex offences is due to a combination of different factors. One central factor, however, is that the Swedish sex crime legislation has undergone substantial changes since the mid-1990s, not least with regard to the way the rape offence is defined in the Swedish penal code. Against this background, this study has two principal objectives: • To illuminate possible changes in the type of reported offences that the police have registered as rapes against persons under the age of eighteen between the mid-1990s and the latter part of the 2000s. • To present a more detailed description of the incidents registered by the police as rapes against persons under the age of eighteen towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century – here the focus is directed primarily at age-based variations in the type of situations in which the offences have been committed, and in the nature of the relationships between perpetrators and victims. Details: Stockholm: Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, 2012. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: English summary of Brå report 2011:6; Accessed March 21, 2012 at: http://www.bra.se/download/18.1ff479c3135e8540b2980002845/2012_Child_rapes_reported_to_the_police.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Sweden URL: http://www.bra.se/download/18.1ff479c3135e8540b2980002845/2012_Child_rapes_reported_to_the_police.pdf Shelf Number: 124628 Keywords: Child Sex OffensesChild Sexual Abuse (Sweden)RapeSexual Assault |
Author: Seelinger, Kim Thuy Title: The Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Violence Summary: Sexual violence occurs all over the world. A form of gender-based violence, sexual violence has been defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic a person’s sexuality, using coercion, threats of harm or physical force, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.” It takes myriad forms – for example, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage, genital mutilation, sexual slavery or trafficking. It can happen in a bedroom, alleyway or war zone. And, though the vast majority of victims are women, men and boys can also be victims, and women can be perpetrators. In this paper, we review the many challenges of prosecuting crimes of sexual violence, describing those challenges at each stage of the “life-cycle” of a sexual violence case. Although the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has greatly increased the international community’s ability to prosecute sexual violence, national courts remain the principal site for rendering individuals accountable. The experience of the ICC and other international tribunals provides key lessons in how these cases should be prosecuted, and we draw on them extensively in this paper. However, our ultimate goal is to highlight some promising practices for the effective prosecution of sexual violence crimes in national courts. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California Berkeley, 2011. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Sexual Violence and Accountability Project, Working Paper Series: Accessed March 29, 2012 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_IandP.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_IandP.pdf Shelf Number: 124763 Keywords: Prosecution, Sex CrimeRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Koenig, K. Alexa Title: The Jurisprudence of Sexual Violence Summary: This paper provides an overview of the international jurisprudence of sexual violence, focusing on legal milestones realized by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal Court. This paper also offers a brief, comparative case study of how Kenya and its neighbors are currently adopting and adapting international criminal law to enhance their domestic legal frameworks, to facilitate the prosecution of sexual violence within their borders. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California Berkeley, 2011 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Sexual Violence and Accountability Project, Working Paper Series: Accessed March 29, 2012 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_Jurisprudence.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_Jurisprudence.pdf Shelf Number: 124764 Keywords: Prosecution, Sex CrimesRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Roth, Francoise Title: Using Quantitative Data to Assess Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Colombia: Challenges and Opportunities Summary: This report addresses the challenges of sexual violence measurement in a specific context: Colombia's ongoing internal armed conflict. After discussing in depth the difficulties faced by researchers attempting to measure sexual violence around the world, the report addresses several Colombian data collection efforts more specifically. Both governmental and non-governmental data sources are considered; more importantly, the authors outline several key cultural and political issues affecting sexual violence data collection in Colombia. In particular, the research team found, sexual violence reporting procedures in Colombia are fragmented and incomplete. Sexual violence is frequently viewed as a domestic violence or criminal justice issues; it is seldom considered as a phenomenon in its own right, or as an outcome associated with armed conflict. Details: Corporación Punto de Vista; Palo Alto, CA: Benetech, 2011. 103p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2012 at: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/CPV_UsingQuantitativeDatatoAssessConflictRelatedSexualViolenceinColombia.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Colombia URL: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/CPV_UsingQuantitativeDatatoAssessConflictRelatedSexualViolenceinColombia.pdf Shelf Number: 124813 Keywords: Armed ConflictHuman RightsRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Colombia) |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Rape and Sexual Violence: Human Rights Law and Standards in the International Criminal Court Summary: This document identifies how the crimes of rape and sexual violence must, as a requirement of its own statute and a matter of international human rights law, be interpreted and applied with equality between men and women by the International Criminal Court (the Court). The Court has yet to rule on this matter in its jurisprudence. Such incorporation of human rights law and standards in the prosecution of rape and sexual violence should be undertaken by other international courts, as well as national courts, in order to discharge states’ duties under treaty and customary law. In order to incorporate human rights law and standards in its practice, the Court’s interpretation of the definition of the crimes should address the behaviour and actions of the perpetrator, and how this affects the victim’s ability to exercise free and genuine choice, that is, to enjoy his or her human right to physical and mental integrity and sexual autonomy, without discrimination. The Court’s deliberation should not just address the victim’s purported ‘consent’ in isolation. Human rights law and standards requires that investigations and prosecutions of the crimes of rape and sexual violence must be undertaken with careful attention given to the task of challenging stereotypes, which tend to undermine women’s equality before the law. The integrity of investigations and prosecutions should not be tainted by stereotypical assumptions, including assumptions about sexual violence towards men and boys, as well as towards women and girls. All references to the term ‘consent’ within the Elements of Crimes must be interpreted consistently with a fuller, more accurate and human-rights based understanding of the word consent – that a consensual decision is a decision made without force, threat of force, coercion, or taking advantage of a coercive environment. Where evidence of force, threat of force or coercion is present, there should absolutely be no additional element of law of consent for the prosecution to prove. Acts of rape which are committed in the jurisdiction of the Court can be identified as war crimes and crimes against humanity of rape and torture. The requirement in human rights law to eradicate stereotypes requires all acts of rape within the jurisdiction of the Court to be prosecuted as torture, in order to address stereotypical assumptions that rape, particularly rape of women and girls, is not a serious crime, and to acknowledge and make clear the perpetrators’ use of rape and sexual violence to intimidate, discriminate and humiliate victims. Details: London: Amnesty International, 2011. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 15, 2012 at http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/IOR53/001/2011/en/7f5eae8f-c008-4caf-ab59-0f84605b61e0/ior530012011en.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/IOR53/001/2011/en/7f5eae8f-c008-4caf-ab59-0f84605b61e0/ior530012011en.pdf Shelf Number: 124947 Keywords: Human RightsInternational Criminal CourtsLegislationRapeSexual Assault |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office Title: Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: There were over 1 million female victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales in the last year. Over 300,000 women are sexually assaulted and 60,000 women are raped each year. Overall in the UK, more than one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, often with years of psychological abuse, Worldwide violence against women and girls can be a problem of pandemic proportions. This is unacceptable. The vast majority of these violent acts are perpetrated by men on women. In 2009/10, women were the victim of over seven out of ten (73%) incidents of domestic violence. More than one third (36%) of all rapes recorded by the police are committed against children under 16 years of age. This is unacceptable. Internationally, findings in a number of developing countries suggest that violence against women and girls is significant and is often endemic. Between 40% and 60% of women surveyed in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru, Samoa, Thailand and Tanzania said that they had been physically and/ or sexually abused by their close partners. This is unacceptable. Details: London: Home Office, 2012. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2012 at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/call-end-violence-women-girls/vawg-paper?view=Binary Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/call-end-violence-women-girls/vawg-paper?view=Binary Shelf Number: 125114 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Related ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultViolence Against Women, Children (U.K.) |
Author: Cale, Jesse Lee Title: The Antisocial Trajectories in Youth of Adult Sexual Aggressors of Women: A Developmental Framework for Examining Offending, Motivation, and Risk of Recidivism in Adulthood Summary: Distinct typologies of sexual aggressors of women have been established over the years to explain their heterogeneity. To date, typologies have distinguished these offenders based on differences in victim and offence characteristics, motivation, and, the level of risk of reoffending posed by the offender. These distinct typologies have often emerged parallel to policies changing the way these offenders are dealt with in the criminal justice system. The current dissertation departs from previous classification strategies by exploring the utility of a developmental framework for classifying sexual aggressors of women. To this end, it is organized into three separate but related empirical studies. The first study examined the presence of antisocial trajectories in youth using a dynamic classification procedure and uncovered, contrary to current theoretical propositions, that the antisocial development of sexual aggressors of women in youth was characterized by much heterogeneity. More specifically, two meta-trajectories were uncovered, an early- and a late-onset trajectory, the former composed of three pathways, and the latter composed of two. Furthermore, the trajectories discovered were differentially related to several dimensions of general, violent, and sexual offending in adulthood. In the second study, the two meta-trajectories were examined in terms of mating effort and sexual drive, and while a high level of mating effort characterized the late-onset trajectory, the early-onset trajectory was characterized by both high mating effort and high sexual drive. In addition, sexual drive and mating effort were also related to an early-onset and higher frequency of sexual offending in adulthood suggesting that these measures may be associated with the motivation to sexually offend. In the third study, the two meta-trajectories were assessed in terms of their association with violent/sexual reoffending in adulthood. The results indicated that an early-onset antisocial trajectory, characterized by a pattern of escalation in youth, predicted violent/sexual reoffending in adulthood. In addition, the predictive aspect of these measures was demonstrated independently, and in conjunction with current measures that are typically included in many current actuarial risk assessment instruments. Taken together, the results of these three studies challenge current classification strategies, and, developmental conceptualizations, of sexual aggressors of women. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, 2012. 231p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 14, 2012 at: https://theses.lib.sfu.ca/thesis/etd6083 Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: https://theses.lib.sfu.ca/thesis/etd6083 Shelf Number: 125258 Keywords: Criminal CareerRapeRapistsRecidivismSex OffendersSexual AggressionSexual Assault |
Author: Roman, John Title: Post-Conviction DNA Testing and Wrongful Conviction Summary: This study analyzed the results of new DNA testing of old physical evidence from 634 sexual assault and homicide cases that took place in Virginia between 1973 and 1987 in the first study of the effects of DNA testing on wrongful conviction in a large and approximately random sample of serious crime convictions. The study found that in five percent of homicide and sexual assault cases DNA testing eliminated the convicted offender as the source of incriminating physical evidence. When sexual assault convictions were isolated, DNA testing eliminated between 8 and 15 percent of convicted offenders and supported exoneration. Past estimates generally put the rate of wrongful conviction at or less than three percent. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center, 2012. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 2, 2012 at: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/mgmedia/file/796/urban-institute-report/ Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/mgmedia/file/796/urban-institute-report/ Shelf Number: 125445 Keywords: DNA Typing (U.S.)HomicidesSex CrimesSexual AssaultWrongful Convictions |
Author: McLeod, Rosie Title: Understanding the Progression of Serious Cases through the Criminal Justice System: Evidence Drawn from a Selection of Casefiles Summary: There is wide interest in understanding how cases progress through the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This project was commissioned to improve understanding of attrition for serious offences, in order to inform future policy development. The project focused on four serious offences: rape, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and GBH without intent. A random sample of 1,149 casefiles from eight police force areas was collated and a database was compiled using information that was present in the casefiles. This report summarises some initial findings in relation to the criminal justice process from allegation to outcome, re-grading of offences, decision making at key stages, false allegations and the circumstance of victims and suspects. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2012. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Research Series 11/12: Accessed July 21, 2012 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/research-and-analysis/moj-research/understanding-progression-serious-cases.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/research-and-analysis/moj-research/understanding-progression-serious-cases.pdf Shelf Number: 125712 Keywords: Criminal Case ProcessingCriminal Justice SystemRapeSexual AssaultViolent Crimes (U.K.) |
Author: Jewkes, Rachel Title: Rape Perpetration: A Review Summary: Rape can have an enduring impact on the lives, and health of victims, their families and communities. Both men and women perpetrate sexual violence (Sikweyiya Y and Jewkes 2009), however the majority of sexual offences are committed by men (Steffensmeier D, Zhong H et al. 2006). Research on what drives perpetration of rape and other forms of sexual violence is needed to inform prevention programmes – for this it is necessary to study men. This review summarises research on risk factors for sexual violence perpetration, the methodologies used to identify these risk factors and discusses the implications of this research for rape prevention strategies. Most of the literature reviewed focused on perpetration of sexual violence by men against women and girls. For the purposes of this review, risk factors are factors that increase the risk (likelihood) of a person perpetrating sexual violence. The review provides an overview of current discussions in the research literature around the main factors associated with rape perpetration, it does not follow the approach of systematic review, although the authors sought to identify all published papers on rape perpetration. In identifying this literature an internet search was conducted for published papers or reports with empirical research on rape perpetration from 1990 onwards. In so doing, 3,325 abstracts were identified; yielding 293 papers of interest for the study. The review includes qualitative and quantitative studies along with studies that discussed the origins, risk factors or frameworks for thinking about perpetration. Only English language databases were searched. Details: Pretoria: Oak Foundation, 2012. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2012 at: http://www.svri.org/RapePerpetration.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/RapePerpetration.pdf Shelf Number: 125865 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Davies, Helen Title: Sexual Violence in London - A Needs Assessment to Inform the Review of the London Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres Summary: The London Sexual Violence Needs Assessment was commissioned by the NHS in London (through the Specialised Commissioning Group) and the Metropolitan Police Service (Operation Sapphire). The NHS and MPS jointly fund Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provision for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted in London. Commissioners initiated the needs assessment process as part of a review of Havens services eleven years since the first London Haven was established. This is the first London-wide Sexual Violence needs assessment, and its purpose is to: - quantify and better understand the needs of Londoners who have experienced sexual assault; - identify / estimate the levels and nature of unmet or partially met need; - map supply and uptake of sexual assault services, including the Havens; - identify gaps between need and SARC supply in London - identify issues related to quality of services and/or equity of access - support consideration of options for improving Londoners’ access to appropriate SARC provision - influence decisions regarding future commissioning priorities for the London Havens. Details: London: MBARC, 2012. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 7, 2012 at: http://www.avaproject.org.uk/media/99053/final-needs-assessment.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.avaproject.org.uk/media/99053/final-needs-assessment.pdf Shelf Number: 125898 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (London, U.K.)Victims of Crime |
Author: Pearce, J.J. Title: Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation. A Scoping Exercise for The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England Summary: This report outlines the findings of a scoping exercise on Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation undertaken for the Children's Commissioner for England. The data collected for this scoping exercise is derived from two main sources: o A literature review using key words/phrases including: gangs; young people; sexual violence; sexual violence against girls and young women; sexual violence against boys and young men; sexual exploitation in gang-affected neighbourhoods. It has accessed scholarly literature, central and local government reports and policy documents (e.g. Manchester City Council Child Protection Scrutiny Committee report, West Yorkshire Police Authority Gang Culture Scoping Exercise report) the publications of relevant think tanks (e.g. Centre for Social Justice), pressure groups (e.g. Race on the Agenda) and children's charities (e.g. NSPCC, Barnardo‟s, St Michael‟s Fellowship, The Children‟s Society). The remit of the review includes literature published before the end of January 2011; Appendix one includes brief reference to a number of key documents published after this point. o Interviews with lay and professional „key informants‟ with experience of living and working in gang-affected neighbourhoods and of working with sexual violence (including sexual exploitation) directed against children and young people. Details: Bedford, UK: University of Bedfordshire, Institute for Applied Social Research; London: Children's Commissioner for England, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 10, 2012 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 125957 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceYouth Gangs |
Author: Informal Sector Service Centre Title: A Study on Violence due to Witchcraft Allegation and Sexual Violence Summary: Nepal, as a member state of the United Nation, has ratified various International human rights treaties and convention related to the rights of women which explicitly shows Nepal’s commitment towards protecting and promoting the rights of women. However, the situation of women doesn’t seem satisfactory. More than 50 per cent of Nepal’s population is women but their status is still very poor. They have a lower status than men in each aspect of the Human Development Index. Illiteracy, patriarchal society and the economic dependency of women on man create grounds for male domination over woman. Accusations of the so-called practice of witchcraft, rape and incidents of sexual violence are some of the examples of violence against women which occur in Nepalese society. Women are able to gain 33% seats in the Constituent Assembly, but their voices are still suppressed and issues of women have not been sufficiently raised in the Constituent Assembly. The lack of effective laws, the poor implementation of existing laws and the unaccountability of the government authorities also contributed to the occurrence of violence against women. However, the pro-active role of the court and progressive decisions in some cases concerning women rights present a cause for hope. Still, so many improvements are required to prevent violence against women. In the year 2011, it was recorded that many women and girls were abused after being blamed of practicing witchcraft. Similarly, many more were made victims of rape and sexual abuse. The incidents of rape, sexual violence and accusations of the practice of witchcraft can be reduced by the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders. The role of civil society and human rights organizations remain crucial in this regard. A Study on Violence due to Witchcraft Allegation and Sexual Violence; 3 INSEC has presented the overall description and details of incidents of rape and sexual violence, and accusations of the practice of witchcraft practices in this report in the context of 102nd International Women's Day which I felt could be important means by which to assess the situation of women in Nepal and the respective authorities in addressing these problems in society. Details: Kathmandu, Nepal: INSEC, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 11, 2012 at: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/INSEC_AStudyOnViolenceDueToWitchcraftAllegationAndSexualViolence.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/INSEC_AStudyOnViolenceDueToWitchcraftAllegationAndSexualViolence.pdf Shelf Number: 125983 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenWitchcraft (Negal) |
Author: Powell, Anastasia Title: More Than Ready: Bystander Action To Prevent Violence Against Women in the Victorian Community Summary: Violence against women – including family violence and sexual assault – is a major public health problem and its prevalence remains unacceptably high in Australia. Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44 years, contributing more to ill health in this age group than other well-known risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Without appropriate action, the cost of this violence to the Australian economy is predicted to rise to $15.6 billion per year by 2021. Preventing violence against women before it occurs requires action to address the social conditions that can lead to violence. Research shows that key prevention actions include the promotion of gender equality and the development of respectful attitudes within organisations and communities. Research points to the need for bystanders to play a more significant role in preventing violence against women. For the purpose of this study, a ‘bystander’ is anyone not directly involved as a victim or perpetrator, who observes an act of violence, discrimination or other unacceptable or offensive behaviour. Recent evidence reviews have identified the potential for bystanders to make a difference to the social conditions that lead to violence against women, for example, by confronting sexist attitudes and challenging organisational policies that discriminate against women. Details: Carlton, Victoria, AUS: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), 2012. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 13, 2012 at: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Publications/Freedom-from-violence/Bystander-Research-Project.aspx Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Publications/Freedom-from-violence/Bystander-Research-Project.aspx Shelf Number: 125998 Keywords: Bystander InterventionFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against Women (Australia)Violence Prevention |
Author: Nainar, Vahida Title: Litigation Strategies for Sexual Violence in Africa Summary: This paper is a manual that examines the different legal options available to a victim/survivor of sexual violence or a rights group on her behalf. Although these legal options serve the overall goal of justice, they have different requirements of documentation, need different levels of victim participation and focus on a specific aspect of the remedy. The Manual aims to provide an overview of the legal options available to women to pursue justice for sexual violence and discusses the legal strategies that influence the choice of any given option. The overview of the legal options at the domestic level are provided by laying out laws and systems typical of the three broad types of legal systems in Africa – the common law system, the civil law system and Islamic law. For options at regional and international levels, the Manual lays out the basics of various regional and international human rights mechanisms and the instruments applying international humanitarian and criminal law. From a discussion of the practical possibilities or impediments at the domestic level; the decisions of the regional and international human rights mechanisms; and the judgments of the regional and international courts and tribunals emerge strategies that women and victims of sexual violence may employ in their pursuit of justice, with varying degree of potential success. Details: London: The Redress Trust, 2012. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2012 at: http://www.uianet.org/sites/default/files/VAWManual27Aug2012_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.uianet.org/sites/default/files/VAWManual27Aug2012_1.pdf Shelf Number: 126446 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Africa) |
Author: New Zealand. Ministry of Women's Affairs Title: Lightning Does Strike Twice: Preventing Sexual Revictimisation Summary: In 2009, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MWA) published the findings from a cross-departmental research project on effective interventions for adult victim/survivors of sexual violence. The prevalence and impacts of repeat sexual victimisation (or sexual revictimisation) emerged as an issue of critical importance: preventing it could go a long way to addressing the costs of violence against women to individuals and society. On the basis of that evidence, MWA undertook some early discussions with government agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs), about their understandings of and responses to sexual revictimisation. The discussions indicated that understanding varied and that responses tend to focus on mitigating the impacts of sexual violence, rather than preventing it from happening again. Agencies also indicated that they would welcome an accessible summary of the research literature on sexual revictimisation. This report establishes a platform for identifying the policy and practice implications of sexual revictimisation and other forms of gender-based violence. It summarises key themes in the research literature on sexual revictimisation and includes insights and feedback obtained from workshops to discuss the research findings with representatives of key government agencies and NGOs in the sexual and family violence sectors. Overall the report presents a complex picture of sexual violence and revictimisation, as experienced by many women across the life course. It strengthens our understanding of the profound and far-reaching impacts of sexual victimisation in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. While sexual revictimisation of women is the main focus, the evidence highlights the links between sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence, including men’s violence against their female intimate partners (IPV), childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other types of child maltreatment. It underscores the importance of early identification of repeat victim/survivors, the need to break the cycle of repeat victimisation, and to provide consistent and appropriate support for survivors and their families and whānau, at a systemic level. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2012 at: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Shelf Number: 126914 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeRepeat Victimization (New Zealand)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: South Carolina. Department of Public Safety. Office of Justice Programs Title: Sexual Violence in Private Residences: Whose, How and Why? Summary: Data from the South Carolina Incident Based Reporting System (SCIBRS) provided the initial basis of this report. SCIBRS data starts with the statewide uniform incident report. Whenever a criminal act is reported to law enforcement, the responding officer fills out an incident report. That report contains detailed information about the incident, the victim and the offender as well as any associated arrests. This information is then entered into SCIBRS, which is maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Among the SCIBRS information collected and maintained by SLED is a primary location code identifying the type of premise at which the offense occurred. SCIBRS has twenty-seven location codes which identify the specific type of location at which a criminal incident has been reported. The location codes most frequently associated with sexual violence offenses were those which identified private residences such as houses, apartments, condominiums and other privately owned residences. From 2005 to 2009, 73% of South Carolina’s sexual violence victimizations were reported in private residences (SCDPS, 2010). While that information is important in its own right and tells us a lot about the nature of sexual violence, unfortunately, it is quite limited in that it does not provide questions to some follow up questions that naturally arise in response to this finding. For example, did these acts of sexual violence occur in the victims’ homes, the offenders’ homes or in some other private residence? If the violence occurred in a residence other than the victim’s home, how and why did the victim come to be in that place? If the violence occurred in the victim’s home, how did the offender come to be there? Aside from information that might be contained in the narrative portion of the incident report, which is not forwarded to SLED, answers to these questions were not available from SCIBRS. The purpose of this project was to address these questions and hopefully provide a better understanding of where sexual violence in private residences occurred and how the victims and offenders involved in sexual violence came to be at those places. Details: Blythewood, SC: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2012. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2012 at: www.scdps.gov/ojp/stats/reports.html Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 127200 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (South Carolina, U.S.) |
Author: Thompson, Jill Title: Rape Sentencing Study: Statutory Sentencing Provisions for Rape, Defilement, and Sexual Assault in East, Central, and Southern Africa Summary: In the past ten to twelve years, several countries in East, Central and Southern Africa have responded to the problem of violence against women and children by amending outdated criminal laws relating to rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Legislative reforms have ranged from minor changes to existing penal code provisions, to major overhauls of sexual offences law. Changes have included redefining and/or adding new offences; making sexual offences gender neutral; putting in place evidentiary and procedural protections for victims; and increasing penalties for sexual crimes. As part of the reform process, several countries in the region have enacted mandatory minimum sentences for sexual offences such as rape and “defilement.” These have generally emerged in response to public outcry over high rates of sexual violence - particularly against children, and the widespread perception among the public and some lawmakers that perpetrators were not being adequately punished for these crimes. Proponents argued that high mandatory sentences would have a deterrent effect on sexual violence, and that victims would be more likely to report if they believed that perpetrators would be sent to jail. Others argued that statutory minimums would ensure appropriate retribution and lead to greater consistency in sentencing. A further rationale was found in the HIV epidemic - high sentences were viewed by many as necessary to curb the spread of HIV to women and children from sexual assault. Details: Lusaka, Zambia: Population Council, 2012. 40p. Source: Legislative Review: Internet Resource: Accessed December 16, 2012 at http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_RapeSentencingStudy.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_RapeSentencingStudy.pdf Shelf Number: 127214 Keywords: AIDS (Disease)HIV (Viruses)LegislationRape (Africa)SentencingSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales Summary: This report brings together, for the first time, a range of official statistics from across the crime and criminal justice system, providing an overview of sexual offending in England and Wales. Most of the information presented in this report has been previously published in other official statistics bulletins. The report is structured to highlight: the victim experience; the police role in recording and detecting the crimes; how the various criminal justice agencies deal with an offender once identified; and the criminal histories of sex offenders. Providing such an overview presents a number of challenges, not least that the available information comes from different sources that do not necessarily cover the same period, the same people (victims or offenders) or the same offences. For example, the results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) are based on self completed questions from a representative sample of adults (aged 16 to 59), asking about an individual’s experiences of sexual offences in the last 12 months. The police recorded and court information cover all sexual offences, as legislated for in law, committed against any individual irrespective of age or when the crime took place, but exclude the large volume of crimes not reported to the police.. O ther issues that prevent direct comparisons include: the CSEW focusing on the most recent experience of adults as a victim of sexual offence in the previous 12 months (thus, for example, does not include sexual offences experienced by children or those aged 60 or over); police recorded crime figures being based on offences per victim (i.e. for each victim in a given incident, a crime is recorded) in the year the crime was reported, irrespective of when the offence took place; the criminal justice outcome information (e.g. cautions and convictions) being on an offender basis at the date of the final outcome, again irrespective of when the crime took place. The latter two points mean that figures between the police and court sources will differ, as there will be crimes involving more than one victim or more than one offender, or possibly multiple victims and offenders relating to a single crime. It is not currently feasible to track individual cases from initial recording by the police through the CJS. When interpreting the flows of offences and offenders through the CJS, it is important to note the various stages of attrition and the inherent challenges associated with detection and prosecution of crime, in particular with sexual offences. Second, the issue of ‘downgrading’ of offences (when a decision is made by the Crown Prosecution Service, between the initial hearing at the magistrates’ court and the first hearing at the Crown Court, that the initial charge is incorrect and should be changed to another offence) as they move through the system presents analytical challenges and requires careful consideration when interpreting the statistics. For example, one method of calculating rape conviction rates often used by commentators shows the number of people convicted of rape as a proportion of all rape crimes recorded. Given the different currencies of the two number and the effect of downgrading of offences through the CJS mentioned above, this method is incorrect and misleading in terms of presenting evidence on convictions for rape. For the purposes of this report, the results from the last three years’ CSEW have been combined to provide a large enough sample to enable more reliable findings to be presented. Elsewhere, the report mainly covers the period 2005 to 2011(for police recoded crime 2005/06 to 2011/12), as 2005 was the first full year following the introduction of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Where readily available, longer time series have been provided. Detailed statistical tables are provided in the spreadsheets alongside this bulletin. Tables referenced in the text are included within the bulletin, whereas others referenced are found only within the spreadsheets. I t is acknowledged that any sexual offence will be a traumatic experience for the victim. For ease of reference however, throughout the report, sexual offences have been referred to as falling into two groups: “Most serious sexual offences”, covering all rape, attempted rape and sexual assault offences; and “Other sexual offences”, which includes sexual activity with minors (excluding rape and sexual assaults), exposure, voyeurism etc. A full description of the offence types included, with reference to the relevant legislation, is included in the glossary in the spreadsheet tables accompanying Chapters 3 and 4. A number of summary sexual offences, such as kerb crawling and letting premises for use as a brothel, have been considered outside the scope of the publication. Within each chapter, introductory information is provided (in italics) to give a overview of the chapter content, the basis of the statistics included, and the relevant data sources. Further background information can be found in the ‘Background to the criminal justice system’ and ‘Data sources and quality’ sections of this bulletin. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2013. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistics Bulletin: Accessed January 17, 2013 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal-justice-stats/sexual-offending/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal-justice-stats/sexual-offending/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 127286 Keywords: Crime StatisticsRapeSex OffendersSex Offenses (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Danish Refugee Council Title: A Sexual and Gender-based Violence Rapid Assessment: Doro Refugee Camp, Upper Nile State, South Sudan Summary: Since December 2011, approximately 100,000 refugees have fled the State of Blue Nile (BNS) in Sudan and sought shelter in Maban County – Upper Nile State (UNS) – South Sudan as a result of aerial bombardments and armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudanese People Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N). There are four main locations where the refugees are sheltered in the county: (1) in Doro camp (near the village of Bunj) there are 41,7871 individuals, (2) in Jamam camp (near the village of Jamam) there are 25,176 registered refugees, (3) in Yusuf Batil camp there are 34,112 registered refugees and (4) in the recently opened Gendrassa camp there are 4,484 individuals as of beginning of August 2012. Sudanese refugees started to settle spontaneously in the area later to become Doro refugee camp as early as October 2011. Since then, new influxes of refugees continued to arrive up to May-June 2012 causing the camp to become more and more congested. As a result, some of these communities settled outside the camp boundaries. In May 2012 approximately 3.000 refugees were relocated from Jamam refugee camp to Doro due to increasingly precarious living conditions in Jamam - water provision much below standards, flooding and a hazardous health situation prompted UNHCR and aid agencies to decide for the relocation of part of Jamam camp. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Refugee Council, 2012. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 24, 2013 at: http://www.drc.dk/about-drc/publications/ Year: 2012 Country: Sudan URL: http://www.drc.dk/about-drc/publications/ Shelf Number: 127378 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceHuman RightsRapeRefugeesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Addressing Women's Victimisation Histories in Custodial Settings Summary: In the last 20 years the numbers of women entering Australian prisons have risen dramatically. Many of these women have a history of sexual assault traumatisation from child sexual abuse as well as physical and sexual abuse they have encountered as adults. The prison system can often exacerbate trauma for female criminal offenders with a trauma history. This paper explores the prison as a possible site of re-traumatisation. The reasoning behind this is that prisons are built on an ethos of power, surveillance and control, yet trauma sufferers require safety in order to begin healing. A trauma-informed approach may offer an alternative to delivering a less traumatic prison environment and experience for female criminal offenders with a history of sexual abuse and assault. Key messages - Women enter prison with less serious criminal careers than men. - Women in prison have high rates of sexual abuse victimisation histories. - Women enter prison extremely disadvantaged, particularly in relation to mental health, re-victimisation, socio-economic status, substance abuse, being primary carers for dependent children and educational attainment. Many of these outcomes are the consequences associated with past histories of abuse/assault. - Penal environments are designed and built with an ethos of power and control and are often re-traumatising for female offenders with a sexual abuse victimisation history. - The key principles of trauma and gender may be utilised to create frameworks that can be applied in penal environments to address women's complex needs arising from a history of sexual victimisation. - Further research is required to test how the implementation of the key frameworks of trauma-informed care and practice, and gender-responsive frameworks would occur. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues, No. 13: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i13/i13.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i13/i13.pdf Shelf Number: 127414 Keywords: Female Inmates (Australia)Female OffendersFemale Victims of CrimePrisonsSexual Assault |
Author: Gibbons, Roberta E. Title: The Evaluation of Campus-Based Gender Violence Prevention Programming: What We Know about Program Effectiveness and Implications for Practitioners Summary: Colleges and universities have been a key venue for the development and evaluation of sexual violence prevention programming. However, there are no studies demonstrating a link between campus-based sexual assault prevention programs and a subsequent campus-wide reduction in the incidence of sexual violence (Coker, Cook-Craig, Williams, Fisher, Clear, Garcia, & Hegge, 2011; Teten Tharp, DeGue, Lang, Valle, Massetti, Holt, & Matjasko, 2011). Nevertheless, there remain important reasons to pursue campus-based gender violence prevention programming: •Prevention programming can create a safer climate where victims feel more comfortable reporting, actually raising the number of recorded incidences of assault. •Using a “decrease in the incidence of sexual assault” as the only measure of success for prevention programs ignores many other short- and intermediate-term goals that are conceptually linked to a reduction in sexual assault, such as increasing students’ knowledge about rape and changing attitudes related to rape so that students are less likely to blame victims (Anderson & Whiston, 2005; Lonsway, Banyard, Berkowitz, Gidycz, Katz, Koss, Schewe, & Ullman, 2009). •Research shows that a significant number of woman experience sexual violence while in college (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000; Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987; Krebs, Lindquist, Warner, Fisher, & Martin, 2007; Black et. al., 2011). Details: Harrisburg, PA: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2013. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://snow.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_EvaluationCampusProgramming.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://snow.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_EvaluationCampusProgramming.pdf Shelf Number: 127426 Keywords: Campus CrimeColleges and UniversitiesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Hales, Liz Title: The Criminalisation of Migrant Women Summary: The work of a number of key organisations, including the International Organisation for Migration, has led to awareness of the extent of national and international people trafficking and exploitation by smugglers and agents of people seeking to leave their country to seek work or asylum. Within the UK, public knowledge has been influenced by the setting up of the UK Human Trafficking Centre in October 2006, the work of a number of human rights organisations, and media interest in some cases. However, to date, there has been no formal recognition of the numbers of potential victims in custody on criminal charges, nor systematic prison based research that provides evidence on how these individuals have been managed within the Criminal Justice System and by the United Kingdom Border Agency, at a time when the percentage of foreign women in the prison estate continues to increase. Our research on the criminalisation of migrant women, funded for 18 months by the ESRC, aimed to fill this knowledge gap. The research was carried out between May 2010 and November 2011 with migrant women in prison and the immigration holding estate in the South-East of England. The key aims were to gather information in relation to the numbers of migrant women being processed through the criminal justice and immigration systems within England and Wales. Within the context of this picture we aimed to see whether there were any women who were victims of trafficking, smuggling and ‘work under duress’ in custody, and by examining case management identify the extent of compliance in relation to the European Convention on Trafficking and the Convention of Human Rights. Key findings In 2009 there were 2,454 foreign national receptions into the female prison estate and during the period of the research foreign national prisoners accounted for 19 per cent of the population in custody and 26 per cent of new untried receptions. In four of the five prisons, where the majority of interviews were carried out, the average population was 30 per cent, rising to 31 per cent in HMP Holloway and HMP Bronzefield in the final month. Analysis of data from fpwp/Hibiscus, a key organisation working with foreign women in custody, showed that 41 per cent of their caseload in 2009 involved women charged with offences such as deception and fraud in relation to their immigration status and related offences of use of false documentation to access work or benefits, or pass through customs on entry or exit from the UK. Prison data gathered in the context of the research indicated that 26 per cent overall were arrested in relation to these offences with an additional 4 per cent arrested on offences such as street robberies and sale of counterfeit goods (offences potentially linked with trafficking). Within the immigration estate in 2010, 4,337 women were taken into detention, of which there were 2,799 receptions at Yarl’s Wood IRC, where monthly figures showed that 112 women, one third, were being held post completion of a prison sentence. In the context of interviews with 103 migrant women in the prison and immigration holding estate, detained or arrested on charges that are potentially linked with entry to or exit from the UK or work under the control of others, evidence gathered indicated that 43 were victims of trafficking, of whom two were formally re-assessed as children whilst in the adult estate.1 An additional five women had entered the country independently, but had then been worked in slavery or servitude like conditions and 10 had entered the UK in the hands of agents and had been arrested resultant on the theft of their relevant documents by their smugglers. The progress of these 58 women within the target group (that is, those who might have been trafficked or smuggled or made to work under duress) was then monitored in terms of their management within the criminal justice and immigration systems. This was carried out by 59 follow up interviews in custody and 14 more in the community, observations of 33 court appearances, ongoing communication by letter and examination of relevant paper documentation held by the interviewees, their legal representatives and others, wherever this was feasible. 38 of the 48 women within the target group (58) for whom there is data on employment were involved in non-skilled work before departure and, for those who were complicit in the decision to travel to the UK, reasons for migration were a mixture of economic necessity and a need for asylum. For all but eight it was their first move from home. Eight of those trafficked did not travel directly to the UK, but were first moved to other countries to work en route. Five had been trafficked as children and one of the children had been re-trafficked to the UK after being deported back to Africa from the first destination country. Twenty of the women trafficked were forced to work in prostitution and fifteen in cannabis production. Eight worked in domestic servitude, two were acting as drug mules and eight were involved in street robberies and the sale of fake goods. An additional five women were forced into these areas of work after entering the country independently of those who controlled them in the work. The common experience of all the women within this target group was one of disempowerment and for those trafficked or smuggled this process started from the point of recruitment. All of those interviewed indicated that they had been victims of physical and/or emotional abuse. Twenty-four women disclosed in interview that they had experienced multiple rapes and for an additional two this had been an ongoing threat. For those who migrated to seek asylum, disclosures indicated that these experiences started prior to their move and were thus the key reasons for migration. For others, disclosures in interview indicated that it was integral to the relationship they had with those who brought them to the UK, who worked them under duress and to whom they had been sold. For many, the hold and threats made by those who had recruited, moved and controlled them did not disappear on arrest. The women’s experiences led to them to report that they felt socially isolated, vulnerable, traumatised, subject to flashbacks, ashamed to tell others what had happened and finding difficulty in knowing whom to trust. They indicated that all of this was exacerbated by the experience of imprisonment and uncertainty about the future and it is not insignificant that being handed over to the police or immigration was a common threat used by those who had held them. In terms of the offences for which they had been arrested, the two key offence groups were in relation to the use of false identity documentation and the production of cannabis. Within the target group of 58, 20 of the primary charges were for use of false instrument with intent and 14 for the production of a controlled drug (cannabis). Of the 43 who were identified as victims of trafficking by the researchers, only 11 were processed through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and this did not happen for two of these women until their sentence was completed. Four other women were advised that this option was open to them. Three declined as they were serving short sentences and their goal was to return home as soon as possible, and the fourth was too frightened of the potential implications both to herself and her daughter in making full disclosure of her experiences. With four of these cases, the Conclusive Grounds decision made on their victim status by UKBA (which acted as the competent authority) was negative. To date, one of these decisions has been overturned following a successful judicial review; such a review was being considered for a second. Even where referrals were made to the NRM that resulted in a positive decision and non-prosecution, the victims spent on average four months in custody. For the other 37 there was no formal recognition of their victim status and no access to appropriate support or temporary protection from deportation other than going down the route of applying for asylum. Of equal significance is the fact that, to date, in only one of the cases did victim disclosures result in a full police investigation in relation to the actions of the perpetrators.A key question of this research is therefore why so few of those whose disclosures at interview with the researchers, which exemplified all the key indicators of being a victim of trafficking, had not been identified as such within the criminal justice system. Similarly we looked at why those arrested on offences committed under duress, in ignorance or resultant on the action of those who had controlled them were held entirely responsible for their actions. Details: Cambridge, UK: Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge,, 2012. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/people/academic_research/loraine_gelsthorpe/criminalreport29july12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/people/academic_research/loraine_gelsthorpe/criminalreport29july12.pdf Shelf Number: 127432 Keywords: Female InmatesHuman TraffickingIllegal ImmigrantsImmigrationMigrant Women (U.K.)RapeSexual AssaultSexual Exploitation |
Author: Fileborn, Bianca Title: Sexual Violence and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, and Queer Communities Summary: Although the vast majority of literature and research on sexual violence has focused on the experiences of heterosexual women, a burgeoning body of work has highlighted the occurrence of sexual violence within and against gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer (GLBTIQ) communities. Research suggests that members of GLBTIQ communities may face significant levels of abuse, harassment and violence (Leonard, Mitchell, Pitts, Patel, & Fox, 2008; NSW Attorney General’s Department [NSW AGD], 2003). Experiencing sexual or physical violence, or other forms of abuse and victimisation, is often associated with a range of negative health and social outcomes—such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse (Ryan & Rivers, 2003). However, it should also be recognised that members of GLBTIQ communities show great resilience in the face of social exclusion, discrimination and abuse (Scourfield, Roen, & McDermott, 2008). Documenting the violence experienced by GLBTIQ communities is an important step towards acknowledging the harm caused by this violence, ensuring that adequate and appropriate support services are provided (Duke & Davidson, 2009), and ultimately, preventing violence. There remains, however, only limited research on sexual violence in or against GLBTIQ communities. This Resource Sheet: provides an overview of GLBTIQ communities, and explores the key differences, debates and complexities around gender identity, sexual practice/sexuality, and biological sex; draws together the current research on GLBTIQ sexual violence; discusses the limitations of current research; identifies issues with service provision to GLBTIQ victim/survivors; explores the key barriers to disclosing and reporting experiences of sexual violence; and provides some key resources for members of GLBTIQ communities. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), 2012. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Resource Sheet: Accessed March 8, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.pdf Shelf Number: 127901 Keywords: Gays, Crime AgainstSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Australia) |
Author: Planty, Michael Title: Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010 Summary: From 1995 to 2010, the estimated annual rate of female rape or sexual assault victimizations declined 58%, from 5.0 victimizations per 1,000 females age 12 or older to 2.1 per 1,000. In 2005-10, females who were age 34 or younger, who lived in lower income households, and who lived in rural areas experienced some of the highest rates of sexual violence. In 2005-10, 78% of sexual violence involved an offender who was a family member, intimate partner, friend, or acquaintance. In 2005-10, the offender was armed with a gun, knife, or other weapon in 11% of rape or sexual assault victimizations. The percentage of rape or sexual assault victimizations reported to police increased to a high of 56% in 2003 before declining to 35% in 2010, a level last seen in 1995. The percentage of females who were injured during a rape or sexual assault and received some type of treatment for their injuries increased from 26% in 1994-98 to 35% in 2005-10. In 2005-10, about 80% of female rape or sexual assault victims treated for injuries received care in a hospital, doctor’s office, or emergency room, compared to 65% in 1994-98. In 2005-10, about 1 in 4 (23%) rape or sexual assault victims received help or advice from a victim service agency. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Special Report: Accessed March 14, 2013 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvsv9410.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvsv9410.pdf Shelf Number: 127939 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFemale Victims of CrimeRapeSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence (U.S.) |
Author: West, Carolyn M. Title: Sexual Violence in the Lives of African American Women Summary: According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 13.6% (42 million) of the population self-identified as Black or African American1 (Rastogi, Johnson, Hoeffel, & Drewery, 2011). African Americans reported substantial rates of criminal victimization, including domestic violence, assault, and robbery (Truman & Planty, 2012). Furthermore, Black women’s sexual victimization has occurred in a unique sociohistorical context. Accordingly, in the first section we will provide a historical overview. Next, we will discuss the characteristics of Black rape survivors2 and the environment in which their assaults occurred. In addition, we will identify risk factors that elevate Black women’s vulnerability to rape and review the physical and mental health problems that are associated with their victimization. To conclude, we will offer culturally sensitive techniques that can be used by professionals and highlight the resilience of African American survivors. Details: Harrisburg, PA: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2012. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2013 at: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_SVAAWomenRevised.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_SVAAWomenRevised.pdf Shelf Number: 128196 Keywords: African American WomenMinority GroupsRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (U.S.) |
Author: Dickson, Sandra Title: Preventing Sexual Violence: A Stocktake of Tauiwi & Bicultural Primary Prevention Activities 2013 Summary: In 2011 with funding from the Ministry of Justice, Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) established two parallel primary prevention projects, for Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri and Tauiwi Caucus. One key outcome area for Tauiwi Caucus was completing a national stocktake of community groups and state sector agencies delivering or participating in any kind of primary prevention of sexual violence in Tauiwi and Bicultural communities.5 The field of “primary prevention” is relatively young, with specific funding in New Zealand in place for just four years from the Ministry of Justice, though it builds on decades of prevention knowledge held predominantly by the specialist sexual violence sector. This national stocktake was completed in 2012 by Tauiwi Caucus. The stocktake survey defined primary prevention of sexual violence as: “Activities that seek to prevent sexual violence before it occurs by educating people about the issue of sexual violence and by promoting safe and respectful environments, behaviours and social norms.” This report from the Tauiwi Caucus of TOAH-NNEST summarises data gained from the stocktake survey, begun by 52 respondents. Forty-four respondents answered a majority of questions. The analysis in the report reflects only these 44 “active” responses. Details: West Auckland, NZ:WAVES, 2013. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: www.waves.org.nz Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 0 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (New Zealand)Violence Prevention |
Author: Sinha, Maire Title: Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2011 Summary: Family violence accounted for 26% of all police-reported violent crime in 2011, a proportion similar to 2010. About half (49%) of the nearly 95,000 victims of family violence were in a current or previous spousal relationship with the accused, including both common-law and legally married partnerships. An additional 18% of victims were children of the accused, 13% were extended family members, 11% were siblings and 9% were parents, often in their senior years. Similar to overall police-reported crime trends, police-reported violence against family members appears to be declining, with decreases seen in both homicides and assaults. In 2011, the rate of family homicides per million was 47% lower than in 1981. More recently, rates of physical assault against family members have fallen by 6% since 2009 and sexual assault by 5%. The most frequent type of family violence offence reported to police in 2011 remained common assault, which includes pushing, slapping and punching, without serious physical injury. The next most frequently reported offence was major assault, which involves a weapon or results in bodily harm, followed by the offence of uttering threats. As in previous years, the majority of victims of family violence were females. They represented 80% of spousal victims, 63% of parents victimized, 58% of extended family members victimized, 57% of child victims and 57% of sibling victims. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2013. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat Article: Accessed July 3, 2013 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2013001/article/11805-eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2013001/article/11805-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 129254 Keywords: Crime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Canada)Sexual AssaultSpouse AbuseViolence Against Women |
Author: Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research Title: Preventing Sexual Violence in Latin@ Communities: A national needs assessment Summary: Every organization working to prevent sexual violence in the U.S. is unique. However, at least one tie binds the movement together: the drive to eliminate sexual violence and support survivors. However, to end sexual violence, the movement and all of the organizations in it must reach every part of the population. A significant proportion of people living in the United States are of Latin@ origin – about 16%, or 50.5 million, as of 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). According to Census data, the Latin@ population grew in every region of the United States between 2000 and 2010. But the few existing studies on sexual violence against Latin@s have shown a lack of culturally relevant services for Latin@ survivors to be a substantial need. One in six Latina women report sexual victimization in their lifetime (Cuevas & Sabina, 2010). Latin@s encounter more barriers to seeking services than non-Latin@s, especially if they are immigrants (Ingram, 2007). Latin@s are also less likely to report rape victimization (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research (CIES), conducted this needs assessment to add to the limited body of research on sexual violence in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities. More specifically, the NSVRC sought to identify existing strengths and needs surrounding the prevention of sexual violence with Latin@ communities and to better understand how the NSVRC, together with partners, could respond to those needs. To these ends, four fundamental questions were examined in this assessment: 1. Who are the key groups/organizations engaging in and/or supporting sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 2. What are the resource needs of advocates, counselors, and other professionals in the field engaging in sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 3. What is the cultural competency and Spanish-language capacity of programs and organizations to serve Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 4. What is the most effective role of the NSVRC in supporting advocates working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? Researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative methods such as a Web-based national survey, phone interviews, and focus groups. They received feedback from approximately 250 participants from all 50 states and three U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa). Participants were from sexual assault coalitions, community-based sexual violence programs, and health departments (sometimes referred to as “mainstream” in this report to differentiate them from culturally specific organizations), and culturally specific organizations working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities. Details: Enola, PA: National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, 2013. 147p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2013 at: http://nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_assessments_latina-needs-assessment_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_assessments_latina-needs-assessment_0.pdf Shelf Number: 129401 Keywords: LatinosMinoritiesSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Sexual Violence |
Author: Te Ohaaki a Hine: National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together Title: Tauiwi Responses to Sexual Violence: Mainstream crisis support and recovery and support services and Pacific services Summary: Communities are well-served by comprehensive specialist sexual assault services in order to provide for acute and on-going needs of survivors and those supporting them. Where possible, services are provided by culturally appropriate service providers. Where culturally appropriate services are not available, mainstream services are well connected to cultural communities to enable culturally safe services and referrals. The Project -- This stocktake of Tauiwi specialist sexual assault services was completed as part of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence working groups addressing Terms of Reference 2 - Crisis Support and Early Intervention and 3 - Support and Recovery Services . Its primary purposes are to answer the questions “who is doing what, where, when and for whom” in terms of crisis support services? Further, how are support and recovery services configured within organisations providing specialist sexual assault services? These questions relate to services for adult survivors. All mainstream sexual assault services (n=30) for adults as were commonly known in the field in late 2008 were invited to participate and a total of 28 specialist services actively responded. In an associated project nine national, though primarily Auckland based, Pacific services used a fono meeting to discuss what Pacific people need in response to sexual violence. Key findings Across both the mainstream service stocktake and the Pacific fono and stocktake a number of key themes have emerged. While there are some common themes and issues, the services bring different cultural contexts to the problem of sexual violence, including different models of recovery. In common is the desire to respond fully to the problem of sexual violence, but constraint from lack of resources to do so. Details: Wellington: New Zealand Ministry of Social Development, 2009. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2013 at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/supporting-victims/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/Stocktake%20and%20Vision%20TOR2%20TOR3%20201109.pdf Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/supporting-victims/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/Stocktake%20and%20Vision%20TOR2%20TOR3%20201109.pdf Shelf Number: 129403 Keywords: Sex CrimeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (New Zealand)Victims of Sexual Violence |
Author: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Title: Sexual Assault in the Military Summary: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights chose to focus on sexual assault in the U.S. military for its annual 2013 Statutory Enforcement Report. This report examines how the Department of Defense and its Armed Services - the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force (the Services) - respond to Service members who report having been sexually assaulted ("victims") and how it investigates and disciplines Service members accused of perpetrating sexual assault ("perpetrators"). This report also reviews how the military educates Service members and trains military criminal investigators and military lawyers about sexual assault offenses. The topic is both relevant and timely, as Congress is currently considering ways to address this issue. The Commission has authority to examine questions related to sexual assault in the military because the issues involve both sex discrimination and the denial of equal protection in the administration of justice. The issue of sex discrimination involves female Service members, who represent 14 percent of the military population, but are disproportionately likely to be victims at a rate five times that of their male counterparts. The questions related to a possible denial of equal protection in the administration of justice led the Commission to examine cases in which sexual assault victims, as well as Service members accused of sexual assault, claim unfair treatment in the military justice system. Through this report, the Commission sheds light on the scope, response, investigation, and discipline of sexual assault in the U.S. military. The Commission held a briefing on January 11, 2013 to hear the testimony of military officials, scholars, advocacy groups, and practitioners on the topic of sexual assault in the military. In response to written questions from the Commission, the Department of Defense and its Armed Services provided documents and other materials, including data on investigated sexual assault allegations, which the Commission analyzed. The results of these efforts are memorialized in this report. The report reveals that the Department of Defense may benefit from greater data collection to better understand trends in sexual assault cases and to implement improvements in future initiatives. Although the Department of Defense has already implemented policies to reduce sexual and sexist material from the military workplace in an effort to reduce sexual harassment, the effects of such recent efforts have yet to be measured. The Department of Defense also has a plan to standardize sexual assault response and prevention training across the Services to promote best practices. There will be a need to track the success of such policies over time. Greater commander accountability for leadership failures to implement such policies, especially in cases where victims claim sexual assault at the hands of superiors within the chain of command, should also be considered. Without increased data collection, however, it is difficult to measure the effects of any new changes the military chooses to implement. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Commission Civil Rights, 2013. 238p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2013 at: http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/09242013_Statutory_Enforcement_Report_Sexual_Assault_in_the_Military.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/09242013_Statutory_Enforcement_Report_Sexual_Assault_in_the_Military.pdf Shelf Number: 131639 Keywords: MilitaryMilitary Justice SystemRapeSex Crimes (U.S)Sex DiscriminationSexual AssaultSexual harassmentVictims of Sexual Assaults |
Author: Campbell, Rebecca Title: Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Implementation and Collaborative Process: What Works Best for the Criminal Justice System Summary: Historically, community services for sexual assault victims have been uncoordinated and inadequate (Martin, 2005). Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) were created to coordinate efforts of the legal, medical, and mental health systems, and rape crisis centers, in order to improve victims' help-seeking experiences and legal outcomes. SARTs are espoused as best practice and have been adopted widely across the U.S. (DOJ, 2013; Ledray, 2001). Descriptive research (using convenience sampling) suggests that how SARTs are structured varies from community to community (Zajac, 2006). However, studies have not yet examined how differences in SARTs' structure relate to their effectiveness (Greeson & Campbell, 2013). To address this gap, Study 1 sought to (1) use random sampling methods to identify a nationally representative sample of 172 SARTs; (2) understand the structure and functioning of U.S. SARTs; (3) identify patterns of SART implementation; and (4) examine how these patterns relate to SARTs' perceived effectiveness at improving victim and legal outcomes. Consistent with prior studies of domestic violence coordinating councils, this study examined SART members' perceptions of their SARTs' effectiveness. Specific features of SARTs' structure that were examined included: membership breadth (the number of different stakeholder groups that participated in the collaboration) and implementation (their formalization and use of recommended collaborative activities). Findings confirmed that U.S. SARTs vary in their structure. Using cluster analysis, three types of SARTs were identified. SARTs in the "Low Adopters" cluster (38% of the sample) utilized fewer formal structures, were less likely to institutionalize multidisciplinary trainings and policy/protocol review into their collaboration, and did not engage in program evaluation. The "High Adopters except Evaluation" cluster SARTs (47%) used more formal structures and had greater institutionalization of multidisciplinary trainings and policy/protocol review; however, none of them engaged in program evaluation. The "High Adopters plus Evaluation" cluster (16%) also used more formal structures and had greater institutionalization of multidisciplinary trainings and policy/protocol review, and in addition, engaged in program evaluation. These clusters, and other features of the SARTs and their communities, were examined as predictors of SARTs' perceived effectiveness. The "High Adopters plus Program Evaluation" cluster was perceived as more effective than the "Low Adopters" cluster on all four effectiveness measures. SARTs in the "High Adopters plus Program Evaluation" group perceive themselves as more effective on one of the four domain of effectiveness than SARTs in the "High Adopters except Evaluation" cluster. In addition, active membership from a greater number of sexual assault stakeholder groups was associated with higher perceived effectiveness on all three forms of legal effectiveness. These findings suggest that formalization, regular collaborative processes, and broad active membership from diverse stakeholder groups are key components of successful SARTs. SARTs in the Study 1 "High Adopters plus Evaluation" cluster--the most effective cluster--were then selected to participate in a study of model SARTs. Specifically, in Study 2, we used social network analysis to examine the structure of inter-organizational relationships within model SARTs. Within each SART, all organizations were asked about their relationships with all other organizations that participated in their team (specifically, frequency of communication, the extent to which they felt that other organizations valued their role, and the extent to which they felt that other organizations were a resource to their own organization's work). Findings are based on the three SARTs that fully participated. Results revealed a high degree of connection between organizations both within and across sectors (criminal justice vs. not) in model SARTs. However, findings also revealed occasional stratification of relationships within SARTs. Finally, there was evidence that inter-organizational relationships tended to be mutual, and the three types of relationships were positively correlated with one another. Details: East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University, 2013. 226p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 27, 2014 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243829.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243829.pdf Shelf Number: 131810 Keywords: CollaborationInteragency CooperationRapeSexual AssaultSexual Assault Response TeamsVictim Services |
Author: White House Council on Women and Girls Title: Rape and Sexual Assault: A Renewed Call to Action Summary: This report analyzes the most recent, reliable data about rape and sexual assault in our country. It identifies those most at risk of being victims of these crimes, examines the cost of this violence (both to survivors and our communities), and describes the response, too often inadequate, of the criminal justice system. The report catalogues steps this Administration has taken to combat rape and sexual assault, and identifies areas for further action. An overview of the problem: - Women and girls are the vast majority of victims: nearly 1 in 5 women - or nearly 22 million - have been raped in their lifetimes. - Men and boys, however, are also at risk: 1 in 71 men - or almost 1.6 million - have been raped during their lives. - Women of all races are targeted, but some are more vulnerable than others: 33.5% of multiracial women have been raped, as have 27% of American Indian and Alaska Native women, compared to 15% of Hispanic, 22% of Black, and 19% of White women. - Most victims know their assailants. - The vast majority (nearly 98%) of perpetrators are male. - Young people are especially at risk: nearly half of female survivors were raped before they were 18, and over one-quarter of male survivors were raped before they were 10. College students are particularly vulnerable: 1 in 5 women has been sexually assaulted while in college. - Repeat victimization is common: over a third of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults. Other populations are also at higher risk of being raped or sexually assaulted, including people with disabilities, the LGBT community, prison inmates (of both genders), and the homeless. Undocumented immigrants face unique challenges, because their abusers often threaten to have them deported if they try to get help. Details: Washington, DC: The White House, 2014. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: October 5, 2017 at: https://www.knowyourix.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://iaclea.org/visitors/about/documents/WhiteHouseCouncil_sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf Shelf Number: 132046 Keywords: RapeRepeat VictimizationSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Tasmania Law Reform Institute Title: Protecting the Anonymity of Victims of Sexual Crimes Summary: The purpose of this Report is to review the operation of s 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 (Tas) which prohibits the publication of information likely to identify the complainant in sexual offences cases. It examines the adequacy of the law in achieving its objective of affording appropriate protection to victims of crimes of sexual assault. The Report also considers the position of victims who do not seek the protection of anonymity but who prefer that their voice be heard. The prohibition also applies to information likely to identify other witnesses in sexual offences cases, with the exception of the defendant. Although in some instances the observations and recommendations made may apply equally to other witnesses in sexual offences trials, the principal focus of this report is on the victims of sexual crimes. A related matter that falls outside the terms of reference for this Report is the extent to which authorised reports of cases, such as the Supreme Courts published Comments on Passing Sentence, are edited to ensure compliance with the requirements of s 194K. In responding to IP 18, Womens Legal Service Tasmania noted that the details contained in these can lead to identification whereas media reports are edited to avoid that likelihood. Detailed consideration of these issues is beyond the scope of this inquiry, although it may be something that the Court may like to pursue. The Report examines whether the current law requires clarification both of its scope and terminology, whether its purposes might be better achieved either by the introduction of additional features into s 194K or by the creation of a new statutory scheme, and whether it strikes the appropriate balance between protecting victims of sexual assault and the paramount public interest in open justice. Details: Hobart, Tasmania: Tasmania Law Reform Institute, 2013. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/461768/S194k_Final_05_A4.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/461768/S194k_Final_05_A4.pdf Shelf Number: 132075 Keywords: Sex OffensesSexual AssaultVictims of Crimes |
Author: Johnson, Holly Title: Building Prevention: Sexual Violence, Youth and Drinking Summary: This report is the outcome of an Ottawa-based study that explores the connections between sexual violence and drinking among young people. Along with a review of programs aiming to reduce alcohol-related sexual violence, this study profiles some Ottawa-based prevention programs, and presents the results of focus group discussions with local service providers, youth workers, and young women and men recruited from high schools and universities. The objective of this project is to stimulate broader discussion about prevention strategies for the Ottawa community. Effective sexual violence prevention requires an understanding of the context in which it is most likely to occur. Young women experience the highest rates of sexual violence and young men are most often the perpetrators. Most sexual violence takes place between people who know each other, typically in the context of social events such as parties and bars or in dating situations. Alcohol is so common in sexual violence that it is considered by many to be the "date rape drug". A study of women using sexual assault treatment centres in Ontario found that two-thirds had consumed alcohol immediately prior to the assault and 21% (25% in Ottawa) were thought to have been drugged (Du Mont et al., 2009). In fact, alcohol is often used as a deliberate strategy to increase the vulnerability of victims and to reduce resistance to sexual violence. Very often young men receive approval from friends to use these tactics. In one study in the United States, one-third of male university students said their friends approve of getting a woman drunk to have sex with her (Carr & Van Deusen, 2004). When alcohol is involved, a societal double standard arises. Intoxicated women are held responsible for their own victimization whereas intoxication is considered to reduce the responsibility of male perpetrators. Thus, although alcohol is not a direct cause of sexual violence, alcohol adds a particular complexity to the topic of sexual violence prevention. Details: Ottawa: Crime Prevention Ottawa, 2011. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 23, 2014 at: http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/files/publications/bullding_prevention_final_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/files/publications/bullding_prevention_final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 132152 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderDate RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Beck, Allen J. Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2009-2011 Summary: This report presents counts of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported to correctional authorities in adult prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities in 2009, 2010, and 2011. An in-depth examination of substantiated incidents is also presented, covering the number and characteristics of victims and perpetrators, location, time of day, nature of the injuries, impact on the victims, and sanctions imposed on the perpetrators. Companion tables in Survey of Sexual Violence in Adult Correctional Facilities, 2009-11 - Statistical Tables, include counts of types of sexual victimization reported for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, state prison systems, facilities operated by the U.S. military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sampled jail jurisdictions, privately operated jails and prisons, and jails in Indian country. Data are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics' Survey of Sexual Violence (SSV), which has annually collected official records on allegations and substantiated incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual victimization since 2004. Highlights: Correctional administrators reported 8,763 allegations of sexual victimization in prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities in 2011, a statistically significant increase over the number of allegations reported in 2009 (7,855) and 2010 (8,404). About half of all allegations (51%) involved nonconsensual sexual acts (the most serious, including penetration) or abusive sexual contacts (less serious, including unwanted touching, grabbing, and groping) of inmates with other inmates. Nearly half (49%) involved staff sexual misconduct (any sexual act directed toward an inmate by staff) or sexual harassment (demeaning verbal statements of a sexual nature) directed toward inmates. In 2011, 902 allegations of sexual victimization (10%) were substantiated (i.e., determined to have occurred upon investigation). The total number of substantiated incidents has not changed significantly since 2005 (885). Victims were physically injured in 18% of substantiated incidents of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization, compared to less than 1% of incidents of staff-on-inmate victimization. More than half (54%) of all substantiated incidents of staff sexual misconduct and a quarter (26%) of all incidents of staff sexual harassment were committed by female staff. Overall, more than three-quarters (78%) of staff perpetrators were fired or resigned. Nearly half (45%) were arrested, referred for prosecution, or convicted. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 29, 2014 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0911.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0911.pdf Shelf Number: 132156 Keywords: InmatesJailsPrison RapePrisoners, Sexual VictimizationPrisonsSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Bluett-Boyd, Nicole Title: Victim/Survivor-Focused Justice Responses and Reform to Criminal Court Procedure: Implementation, Current Practice and Future Directions Summary: Many of the key narratives of sexual assault that have informed approaches to law reform highlight the unique disadvantage that victim/survivors face within the criminal justice process. Primarily, these concepts - including definitions of the "real" rape standard and the existence of an "ideal" "victim/survivor" draw on problematic, gendered social constructs and requirements that are rarely met by the reality of sexual assault. When projected onto trial settings, these constructs are often exploited through the practices of legal actors and the flexibility of current legislation. This ensures that the process of a criminal trial, and of providing testimony in particular, is traumatising for victim/survivors of sexual assault. The past three decades have seen reform at numerous levels to address these issues, both within and outside of the criminal justice process. While reforms are variable across jurisdictions, key changes include: - the expansion of counsellor/advocate services; - increased specialisation of police and prosecutions; - legislative amendments to the types of evidence that can be introduced at trial; - alternative provisions for giving evidence at trial; and - changes to the instructions given by the judiciary to the jury, including efforts to contextualise sexual assault. Many of these reforms are based on an understanding of the needs of victim/survivors within the criminal justice process. Until relatively recently these needs have conceptually been aligned with those of the justice system; with a focus on increasing convictions and ensuring punitive measures are taken. Recent reforms, including those identified above, appear to reflect an expanded definition of "justice needs", recognising that the criminal justice process intersects with therapeutic and social forms of redress. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 27: Accessed April 28, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Shelf Number: 132184 Keywords: Criminal CourtsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault Title: Not Alone: The First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault Summary: One in five women is sexually assaulted in college. Most often, it's by someone she knows - and also most often, she does not report what happened. Many survivors are left feeling isolated, ashamed or to blame. Although it happens less often, men, too, are victims of these crimes. The President created the Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault to turn this tide. As the name of our new website - NotAlone.gov - indicates, we are here to tell sexual assault survivors that they are not alone. And we're also here to help schools live up to their obligation to protect students from sexual violence. Over the last three months, we have had a national conversation with thousands of people who care about this issue. Today, we offer our first set of action steps and recommendations. Details: Washington, DC: White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, 2014. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/report_0.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/report_0.pdf Shelf Number: 132216 Keywords: Campus CrimesDate RapeSchool CrimesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Sexual Revictimisation: Individual, interpersonal and contextual factors Summary: There is a complex array of variables related to sexual revictimisation. Although prevalence is difficult to ascertain, several studies relate that people who have been sexually abused as children are two to three times more likely to be sexually revictimised in adolescence and/or adulthood. Much of the literature on sexual revictimisation focuses on the individual risk factors for the victim/survivor - their risk perception and emotional dysregulation resulting from initial sexual victimization - and how these create vulnerability for sexual revictimisation. Broader contextual factors beyond the victim/survivor, however, are often ignored. These contextual factors are explored here with a particular emphasis on minority groups, such as people with a disability; gay, lesbian and bisexual people; and Indigenous people. This focus demonstrates that individual risk factors often do not account for how perpetrators may target vulnerable people who have previously been victimised, how community and organizational attitudes and norms may support sexual revictimisation, and how broader social norms create vulnerability for certain groups. A focus on these broader contextual factors helps to inform prevention strategies. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2014. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Summary: Accessed May 14, 2014 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132347 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseIntimate Partner ViolenceMinority GroupsRapeRepeat Victimization (Australia)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Caruso, Raul Title: What is the Relationship Between Unemployment and Rape? Evidence from a Panel of European Regions Summary: This paper analyzes the relationship between unemployment and rape in a panel of European regions. In particular, this paper is intended to test whether an 'opportunity perspective' holds for rape. The 'opportunity perspective' interprets the level of unemployment as an indicator of 'social inactivity', so that a negative relationship between violent crime and unemployment is predicted. Results show that rape and unemployment are positively associated so not confirming the opportunity perspective. Results are robust using alternative dependent variables, namely (i) the count of rape; (ii) the rape rate per 100,000 people. Details: Munich: Munich Personal RePEc Archive (MPRA), 2014. Source: Internet Resource: MPRA Paper No. 54725: Accessed June 19, 2014 at: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/59041/9/MPRA_paper_59041.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 132525 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultUnemployment and CrimeViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: Ricardo, Christine Title: Engaging Boys and Young Men in the Prevention of Sexual Violence: A Systematic and Global Review of Evaluated Interventions Summary: Violence against women is a widespread issue, one that exists in all cultural and socio-economic contexts. Among the various forms of violence that girls and women suffer, rape is often the least visible and least reported. In many cases, such as in dating or married relationships, rape or other forms of sexual violence may not even be recognized by social or legal norms. While the underlying causes of sexual violence are multiple and complex, among the core causes are unequal gender norms and power dynamics between men and women. Throughout the world, boys and men are largely the perpetrators of sexual violence, and girls and women are the victims. It is increasingly understood that men's use of violence is generally a learned behavior, rooted in the ways that boys and men are socialized. There is evidence that this is often at an earlier age than many of the current violence prevention and sexuality education programs target. Adolescence is a time when many boys and young men first explore and experiment with their beliefs about roles in intimate relationships, about dating dynamics and male-female interactions. Research has shown that this is also the time when intimate partner violence first starts to manifest itself, and the earlier and more often it occurs, the more it reinforces the idea that violence is a "normal" part of dating relationships (Laner 1990). A key challenge, therefore, in primary rape prevention is to intervene before the first perpetration of rape or sexual violence, and to reach boys and young men when their attitudes and beliefs about gender stereotypes and sexuality are developing. In this context, it is necessary to reach boys and young men (and girls and young women) with programs that address sexual violence before expectations, attitudes and behaviors about dating are well developed (Fay and Medway 2006). It is also necessary to challenge gender norms and sexual scripts that often underlie coercion and violence in relationships, including "those cultural norms that normalize intimate sexual violence as a 'natural' or 'exaggerated' expression of innate male sexuality" (Carmody and Carrington 2000). In addition, it is necessary to teach adolescents effective communication and problem-solving skills and to promote a culture of responsibility for preventing sexual violence (Berkowitz 2004). In recent years, there has been a significant increase in attention to programming with boys and men and the evidence base regarding what works and what does not work. Violence prevention is still an area in which there are many questions and there is a need for consolidating evidence for advocacy and practice purposes. While there are already many existing reviews of rape prevention programs with male university students and dating violence prevention programs with adolescents, these reviews have largely been limited to North American or Australian context and most often focused only on those programs published in the academic literature - not grey literature. This review is more extensive, in terms of age range (adolescents) and settings (global), and in terms of program goals and scope because it includes those programs that do not have rape prevention as primary focus, but which address underlying risk factors. Details: Washington, DC: Promundo, 2011. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 2, 2014 at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/menandboys.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/menandboys.pdf Shelf Number: 132611 Keywords: Dating ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolence Prevention |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Improving the Police Response To Sexual Assault Summary: PERF's Summit on "Improving the Police Response to Sexual Assaults," was held on September 23, 2011. This conference brought together approximately 150 police executives, leaders of women's and crime victim organizations, FBI leaders and other federal officials, and others to explore weaknesses in the investigation of sexual assault crimes.At PERF's conference, police executives described several initiatives that have been undertaken to prevent improper "unfounding" of cases, including: - Conducting audits of past cases to identify improperly classified cases; - Eliminating the authority of patrol officers to determine that a case is unfounded, and requiring approval of superior officers to classify a case as unfounded; - Working with advocacy groups to improve transparency and oversight of policing handling of sexual assault cases; and - Improved training of officers regarding the dynamics of rape and how they differ from other crimes. For example, rape victims often feel shame, embarrassment, or stigma that victims of robbery or other serious crimes do not experience. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2012. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Critical Issues in Policing Series: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Critical_Issues_Series/improving%20the%20police%20response%20to%20sexual%20assault%202012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Critical_Issues_Series/improving%20the%20police%20response%20to%20sexual%20assault%202012.pdf Shelf Number: 130802 Keywords: Police Education and TrainingPolice InvestigationsPolice ResponseRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Wall, Liz Title: Under the Influence? Considering the role of alcohol and sexual assault in social contexts Summary: Alcohol has a culturally accepted place in social situations, particularly when young people congregate, however, it is also widely acknowledged that alcohol is often present in many sexual assaults that occur within these social contexts. Although there is extensive research on the link between alcohol and sexual assault, there is still a lack of clarity about the exact role that alcohol plays in facilitating this type of sexual violence. Perpetrators are able to use alcohol to their advantage in a number of ways. Clearly, alcohol is not a causative factor on its own, as many people drink without perpetrating violence. It seems most likely that alcohol acts in multiple ways and interacts with a range of social and individual factors to influence the perpetration of sexual assault. Key messages ◾Alcohol is a feature in a high proportion of sexual assaults. ◾It appears that alcohol has a multi-faceted role in facilitating sexual assault. ◾There are social and gender issues around alcohol consumption that perpetrators are able to exploit to their advantage. ◾Alcohol is used as a tool by perpetrators to increase victim vulnerability and enhance their own confidence. ◾Alcohol is used as an excuse by perpetrators to reduce their culpability and accountability. ◾Alcohol may be consumed voluntarily by victims or perpetrators may coerce consumption or covertly administer alcohol. ◾Alcohol on its own is not a causative factor for sexual assault but it acts together with social and cultural factors that influence behaviour in relation to social scripts and sexual interactions. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues No. 18: Accessed July 19, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i18/acssa-issues18.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i18/acssa-issues18.pdf Shelf Number: 132716 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Henderson, Emily Title: Expert Witnesses Under Examination in the New Zealand Criminal and Family Courts Summary: This is a qualitative empirical research project examining the experiences of experts who testify in both the criminal and Family Courts in New Zealand regarding child abuse and neglect and sexual assault generally. The study considers whether there is truth in the anecdotal accounts of widespread reluctance amongst experts and it also examines lawyers' and judges' suspicions of bias amongst experts. It considers the areas of the court process which experts find most difficult and proposes a number of solutions. The study group was limited to experts in the field of child abuse and neglect and of sexual assault generally. However, we believe that our findings will be relevant to other areas of expert evidence. This report is divided into three parts: the remainder of this chapter summarises the literature on expert witnesses to date, describing, first, the problems various researchers and commentators have found with expert evidence and, second, outlining the main reform proposals those same writers have put forward. This is not a discussion of the law pertaining to expert evidence, as many legal analyses already exist. The second section contains the empirical part of this project: Chapter Two sets out the project's methodology; Chapter Three describes the findings of the interviews with expert witnesses; Chapter Four describes the smaller companion study of lawyers' opinions. The final chapter recaps the findings of the previous chapters and sets out a number of recommendations for reform. Details: Auckland, NZ: School of Psychology, University of Auckland and New Zealand Law Foundation, 2013. 169p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 4, 2014 at: http://www.lawfoundation.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Final-Research-Report-Henderson-Seymour-Expert-Witnesses-Under-Examination.pdf Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.lawfoundation.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Final-Research-Report-Henderson-Seymour-Expert-Witnesses-Under-Examination.pdf Shelf Number: 132874 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCriminal CourtsExpert Witnesses (New Zealand)Family CourtsSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales Summary: This report brings together, for the first time, a range of official statistics from across the crime and criminal justice system, providing an overview of sexual offending in England and Wales. Most of the information presented in this report has been previously published in other official statistics bulletins. The report is structured to highlight: the victim experience; the police role in recording and detecting the crimes; how the various criminal justice agencies deal with an offender once identified; and the criminal histories of sex offenders. Providing such an overview presents a number of challenges, not least that the available information comes from different sources that do not necessarily cover the same period, the same people (victims or offenders) or the same offences. For example, the results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) are based on self completed questions from a representative sample of adults (aged 16 to 59), asking about an individual's experiences of sexual offences in the last 12 months. The police recorded and court information cover all sexual offences, as legislated for in law, committed against any individual irrespective of age or when the crime took place, but exclude the large volume of crimes not reported to the police. Other issues that prevent direct comparisons include: the CSEW focusing on the most recent experience of adults as a victim of sexual offence in the previous 12 months (thus, for example, does not include sexual offences experienced by children or those aged 60 or over); police recorded crime figures being based on offences per victim (i.e. for each victim in a given incident, a crime is recorded) in the year the crime was reported, irrespective of when the offence took place; the criminal justice outcome information (e.g. cautions and convictions) being on an offender basis at the date of the final outcome, again irrespective of when the crime took place. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2013. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistics Bulletin: Accessed August 11, 2014 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214970/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214970/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 132980 Keywords: Crime Statistics (U.K.)RapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AssaultVictims of Crime |
Author: Breiding, Matthew J. Title: Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization - National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, United States, 2011 Summary: This report examines the prevalence of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization using data from the 2011 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. In the United States, an estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped during their lifetimes; an estimated 1.6% of women reported that they were raped in the 12 months preceding the survey. An estimated 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lifetimes. The percentages of women and men who experienced these other forms of sexual violence victimization in the 12 months preceding the survey were an estimated 5.5% and 5.1%, respectively. An estimated 15.2% of women and 5.7% of men have been a victim of stalking during their lifetimes. An estimated 4.2% of women and 2.1% of men were stalked in the 12 months preceding the survey. The lifetime and 12-month prevalences of rape by an intimate partner for women were an estimated 8.8% and 0.8%, respectively. An estimated 15.8% of women and 9.5% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, while an estimated 2.1% of both men and women experienced these forms of sexual violence by a partner in the 12 months prior to the survey. Details: Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Surveillance Summaries, Vol. 63, no. 8: Accessed September 12, 2014 at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6308.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6308.pdf Shelf Number: 133290 Keywords: Intimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual Abuse (U.S.)Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalkingViolence Against Women |
Author: Taylor, S. Caroline Title: Policing Just Outcomes: Improving the Police Response to Adults Reporting Sexual Assault Summary: The prevalence of sexual assault and its consequent harm to both individual victims and society as a whole has now been widely researched, documented and recognised in Western jurisdictions for generations. In particular, policing of this gendered5 crime has been the subject of many research endeavours and police organisations have increasingly opened their doors to academics and other researchers in pursuit of evidence-based knowledge that will assist them to enhance their training, investigations and Brief preparations in this respect. Victoria Police has been among the foresighted police organisations in this regard over the past several years. This report is the result of one major research endeavour concerning reports of sexual assault made by adults and the related police response, investigation and management involving Edith Cowan University in partnership with Victoria Police. This study was designed in terms of three strands, each of which incorporated a number of interrelated research programs. Strand one focused on victims/survivors and it proceeded through the use of an online survey and interviews of adult victims/survivors as well as focus groups and interviews of police officers in the State of Victoria and rape crisis counsellors from Centres Against Sexual Assault located across Victoria. Strand two focused on police decision-making processes and police networking in relation to complaints of sexual assault by adults. It proceeded through close reading of Victoria Police operational case files, individual interviews and focus groups involving police, and a focus group of Office of Public Prosecutions personnel. Strand three focused on the management of the police response and the recruitment, training and development of police for the specialist role of sexual assault policing. It proceeded through the use of strand two methods, as well as observation of Victoria Police training courses, police trainee feedback sheets and online survey, and interview of trainers in relation to the specialist sexual assault policing role. Details: Perth, Western Australia: Edith Cowan University, 2012. 411p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2014 at: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Professor_Caroline_Taylor_Appenedix_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Professor_Caroline_Taylor_Appenedix_1.pdf Shelf Number: 133932 Keywords: Police AttitudesPolice Decision-MakingPolice InvestigationsRape (Australia)Sexual AssaultVictims of CrimesViolence Against Women |
Author: Rehal, Manjit Title: The Price of Honour: Exploring the Issues of Sexual Violence within South Asian Communities in Coventry Summary: Sexual violence is an appalling crime that constitutes a serious public and human rights problem. It can devastate the lives of victims, survivors and their families and inspire fear in our communities. It has both short and long-term consequences for victims and survivor's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. It also has significant consequences for the public purse and for the economy. This report highlights some of the key issues that have prevented victims of sexual violence, from Asian communities within Coventry, disclosing or reporting their abuse. In particular it highlights how victims can be silenced by a culture of so called honour and shame. This has resulted in many victims being unable to access support and pursue justice for the abuse which they have experienced. Details: Coventry, UK: CRASAC, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://www.crasac.org.uk/uploads/2/1/6/0/21603882/the_price_of_honour_full_report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.crasac.org.uk/uploads/2/1/6/0/21603882/the_price_of_honour_full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 133923 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (U.K.)Violence Against Women |
Author: Vetten, Lisa Title: Domestic violence in South Africa Summary: South Africa's response to domestic violence is of relatively recent origin, with 1993 marking both the introduction of the first legal remedy to address domestic violence, and the recognition of marital rape as a crime. This first attempt to deal with domestic violence through legislation, namely the Prevention of Family Violence Act, was further developed and strengthened through the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 (DVA), which is widely considered one of the more progressive examples of such legislation internationally. This policy brief describes the extent and nature of domestic violence in South Africa and considers aspects of the implementation of the DVA, the state's most prominent intervention in the problem of domestic violence. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2014. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief 71: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief71.pdf Year: 2014 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief71.pdf Shelf Number: 134074 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectDomestic Violence (South Africa)Elder AbuseMarital RapeRapeSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: Vetten, Lisa Title: Rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa Summary: The high rate of rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa has sparked concern and outrage, leading to law reform, parliamentary debates, marches and campaigns. It has also led to a range of policy interventions intended to reduce the number of people who fall victim to these crimes. This policy brief summarises available information about the nature and extent of sexual violence in South Africa. It also describes some efforts to address the problem. However, it does not focus extensively on child sexual abuse - this being a topic in its own right. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2014. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief 72: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief72.pdf Year: 2014 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief72.pdf Shelf Number: 134075 Keywords: Rape (South Africa)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Higgs, Tamsin Title: Towards Identification of the Sexual Homicide Perpetrator Summary: A 'continuum' conceptualisation of sexual offending has been proposed (e.g Oliver et al., 2005; Proulx, Cusson, & Beauregard, 2005; Salfati & Taylor, 2006) where circumstantial violence determines whether the outcome of a sexual assault is fatal. However, so far research has failed to distinguish those sexual homicide offenders for whom homicide was a sexually motivated act, from those who killed their victim(s) incidentally, or in order to evade capture. This study identified a group of sexual homicide offenders who committed acts of post-mortem interference, which is suggestive of a sexual motivation for the killing. This group was compared to a group of offenders convicted of sexual assault, to determine whether there were any differences between them, in crime scene and psychological characteristics. The adult male sample consisted of 48 non-serial post-mortem interference sexual homicide offenders whose victims were females aged 14 years or over, and 48 convicted sexual offenders whose offences did not result in homicide, all of whom had participated in the UK Prison Service Sexual Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP). Both samples were identified from information relating to convictions between 1954 and 2012. Details: London: National Offender Management Service and Ministry of Justice, 2015. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: Analytical Summary: Accessed February 26, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406956/towards-identification-of-sexual-homicide-perpetrator.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406956/towards-identification-of-sexual-homicide-perpetrator.pdf Shelf Number: 134674 Keywords: HomicideSex Offenders (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Gillibrand, Kirsten Title: Snapshot Review of Sexual Assault Report Files at the Four Largest U.S. Military Bases in 2013 Summary: On February 10, 2014, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in her oversight role as Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, requested the Department of Defense (DoD) provide her office with files pertaining to the investigation and adjudication of sexual assault cases, from 2009 to 2013, at the largest U.S. base for each military service. These installations are the Army's Fort Hood in Texas, Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. On December 15, 2014, 308 days after the initial request, the Department of Defense provided 107 redacted sexual assault case files from the year 2013. Senator Gillibrand had requested "all reports and allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, sex in the barracks, adultery and attempts, conspiracies, or solicitations to commit these crimes" for the last five years. Despite two separate assurances from then-Secretary of Defense Hagel directly to Senator Gillibrand that all files would expeditiously be provided, the DoD reluctantly agreed to provide just one year's worth of files after then-Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin intervened. The larger request remains unfulfilled. This refusal from the DoD to provide basic information pertaining to sexual violence and military justice to the former Personnel Subcommittee chair with oversight duties calls into question the Department's commitment to transparency and getting to the root of the problem. While the case files do shed some light on how the military has dealt with the scourge of sexual assault on bases, with many findings consistent with the Associated Press's accounts of sexual assaults at American military bases in Japan, it is important to note that the files are redacted, incomplete, and often do not contain all relevant data pertaining to the cases. Our review of the 107 case files provided by the Department of Defense sheds further light on the true scope of sexual violence in military communities, including two large but overlooked segments of the military population - military spouses, and civilian women living near military bases - that are not counted in the DoD's surveys on sexual assault prevalence. The documents analyzed by our office suggest that civilians (including spouses) are especially vulnerable, and that the military justice system continues to struggle to provide justice. Details: Washington, DC: Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, 2015. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2015 at: http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Gillibrand_Sexual%20Assault%20Report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Gillibrand_Sexual%20Assault%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 135536 Keywords: Military (U.S.)RapeSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentViolence Against Women |
Author: University of Memphis. Center for Research on Women Title: Nowhere to Hide: A Look at the Pervasive Atmosphere of Sexual Harassment in Memphis Area Middle and High Schools Summary: According to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (2001), "Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment of a student can deny or limit, on the basis of sex, the student's ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities in the school's program. Sexual harassment of students is, therefore, a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX under the circumstances described in this guidance." In two national surveys, the American Association of University Women (AAUW, 1993, 2001) found that approximately 81% of middle and high school students in public schools experienced harassment from peers or school personnel. Our Study CROW designed a study to examine the extent to which students were being sexually harassed in local schools, and how this might be affecting their academic, psychological and social well being. Sexual harassment was defined and measured by grouping specific behaviors into four categories: gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion, and sexual assault. Participants included 590 adolescents in Memphis area middle and high schools, recruited through several local agencies, organizations, and church youth groups that serve adolescents. - 70.4% girls, 29.6% boys - 71.9% African‐American , 23.7% White - 89.5% public schools, 10.5% private/ parochial schools - Average age 15, Range 11 to 19 Results How prevalent is sexual harassment in our schools? - Student‐to‐student sexual harassment, particularly gender harassment, is pervasive in Memphis area middle and high schools with over 90% of students in this study reported being sexually harassed at least once while in their current school. - This pattern holds in both public and private schools. 91.3% of public school students and 85.5% of private school students reported being sexually harassed by a student at least once while in their current school. Details: Memphis: Center for Research on Women, 2015. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 13, 2015 at: http://memphis.edu/crow/pdfs/Sexual_Harassment_Report_2009_REV_CROW.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://memphis.edu/crow/pdfs/Sexual_Harassment_Report_2009_REV_CROW.pdf Shelf Number: 135628 Keywords: School CrimeSchool SecuritySex CrimesSex DiscriminationSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentStudents, Crimes Against |
Author: Commission on Sex in Prison (U.K.) Title: Coercive sex in prison Summary: - There has been minimal research on sexual abuse in prison and the nature and extent of the problem is not known - Sexual violence in prison is hidden and under- reported - Research by Banbury (2004) found that 1 per cent of prisoners had been raped and 5.3 per cent were victims of coerced sex - Annual data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics show that 2 per cent of prisoners in the US had been the victim of a non-consensual sex act and 4 per cent had been sexually victimised - HMIP data show that 1 per cent of prisoners reported being sexually abused in prison. Extrapolating from prison population and reception figures, this means that between 850 to 1650 prisoners could be victims of sexual assault while inside - Ministry of Justice data show that the number of recorded sexual assaults in prison rose in 2013 and is now at the highest recorded level since 2005 - Gay and transgender prisoners are at higher risk of sexual assault than heterosexual prisoners - Good staff prisoner relationships are fundamental in preventing sexual abuse. Staff shortages and overcrowding can undermine professional relationships and put prisoners at risk - Investigations into sexual assaults can be slow and the police are not routinely notified about allegations of abuse - Prisons are closed institutions. It is complacent to assume that sexual exploitation and abuse by staff never happens in prison. Details: London: Commission on Sex in Prison, 2014. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing paper 3: Accessed May 21, 2015 at: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Publications/Coercive_sex_in_prison_web.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Publications/Coercive_sex_in_prison_web.pdf Shelf Number: 135738 Keywords: Prison RapePrison ViolencePrisoner MisconductSexual Assault |
Author: Angiolini, Elish Title: Report of the Independent Review into The Investigation and Prosecution of Rape in London Summary: The review relates only to the service provided to complainants of rape and serious sexual offences who are supported by Sapphire investigation teams. Offences that are perpetrated against children within parent or carer relationships are within the remit of the Child Abuse Investigation Teams and fall outside the scope of this report. Serious sexual offences against children falling outside of parent or carer relationships are dealt with by Sapphire investigation teams. However, the remit for this review focusses on the response to adult complainants only as the specifics of managing child complainants demand a further and distinct skill set which was outwith the scope of this review. There are, therefore two sets of data. Appendix A relates to all allegations of rape and penetration which are investigated within the Metropolitan Police Service. Appendix B relates only to rape and penetration offences investigated by Sapphire investigation teams. Sapphire crime data will include complainants who are children. 2. The review took place in three distinct phases, - Phase 1. Benchmarking of current structures, service provision and performance of both the police and Crown Prosecution Service. - Phase 2. A review in London of a broad sample of police and Crown Prosecution Service case files with a particular emphasis on any attitudinal barriers that may 'prevent an effective criminal justice response'. - Phase 3. Consultation with panels of experts, practitioners and complainants of rape in order to identify how the service to complainants can be improved. Details: London: Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service, 2015. 161p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 8, 2015 at: http://content.met.police.uk/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadervalue2=inline%3B+filename%3D%22494%2F967%2FDame+Elish+Angiolini+Rape+Review+2015%2C0.pdf%22&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1283963458477&ssbinary=true Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://content.met.police.uk/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadervalue2=inline%3B+filename%3D%22494%2F967%2FDame+Elish+Ang Shelf Number: 135967 Keywords: Police InvestigationsRapeSex OffendersSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: Marroushi, Nadine Title: Violence against Women in Egypt: Prospects for improving police response Summary: During celebrations for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's victory in the presidential race in June 2014, at least nine women were violently sexually assaulted by mobs of men in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Shortly after, Sisi made a statement in which he instructed the minister of interior to "vigorously enforce the law and take all necessary measures to combat sexual harassment". Within days of the president's statement, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced plans to expand nationally the Violence Against Women (VAW) Unit that had been established in the Ministry in mid-2013. This paper discusses the context and the political events that led to the establishment of the VAW unit, the unit's work since 2013 and the key challenges it faces, and the deeper institutional changes that are needed. The paper concludes with recommendations to the MOI for ways to improve Egypt's policing response to violence against women. Key recommendations include committing to ongoing high-level government support to the VAW unit; ensuring all police officers are trained to deal appropriately with VAW cases; increasing the representation of women in the police force; and adopting a wider set of reforms to ensure accountability and democratic governance in the security sector. Details: London: Saferworld, 2015. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 30, 2015 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/904-violence-against-women-in-egypt-prospects-for-improving-police-response Year: 2015 Country: Egypt URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/904-violence-against-women-in-egypt-prospects-for-improving-police-response Shelf Number: 136276 Keywords: Police ResponseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Sinozich, Sofi Title: Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College-Age Females, 1995-2013 Summary: This report uses the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to compare the rape and sexual assault victimization of female college students and nonstudents. For the period 1995-2013 - - The rate of rape and sexual assault was 1.2 times higher for nonstudents (7.6 per 1,000) than for students (6.1 per 1,000). - For both college students and nonstudents, the offender was known to the victim in about 80% of rape and sexual assault victimizations. - Most (51%) student rape and sexual assault victimizations occurred while the victim was pursuing leisure activities away from home, compared to nonstudents who were engaged in other activities at home (50%) when the victimization occurred. - The offender had a weapon in about 1 in 10 rape and sexual assault victimizations against both students and nonstudents. - Rape and sexual assault victimizations of students (80%) were more likely than nonstudent victimizations (67%) to go unreported to police. - About a quarter of student (26%) and nonstudent (23%) victims who did not report to police believed the incident was a personal matter, and 1 in 5 (20% each) stated a fear of reprisal. - Student victims (12%) were more likely than nonstudent victims (5%) to state that the incident was not important enough to report. - Fewer than 1 in 5 female student (16%) and nonstudent (18%) victims of rape and sexual assault received assistance from a victim services agency. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice,Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf Shelf Number: 136624 Keywords: Campus CrimeCollege and UniversitiesRapeSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictimization Survey |
Author: National Gender and Equality Commission Title: National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework towards the Prevention of and Response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kenya Summary: Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a human rights violation, developmental concern and a public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), GBV is, "Any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person's will, and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females." Gender based violence includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering; the threat of such acts; and coercion and other deprivations of liberty. The term "gender-based violence" is often used interchangeably with (but not synonymous to) the term "violence against women". The different forms of GBV include physical, sexual, emotional (psychological), and economic violence, and harmful traditional practices. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys experienced sexual abuse before attainment of 15 years. The Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2008-09) showed that almost half (45 percent) of women aged 15-49 have experienced either physical or sexual violence. The 2011 police crime report documented 2,660 cases of defilement and 130 cases of sodomy. The Violence Against Children study undertaken in Kenya in 2010 corroborated the existing trends of GBV in the country. According to the study, nearly one in three females and one in five males experience at least one episode of sexual violence before reaching age 18, an experience that can shape their futures in terms of their attitudes towards violence, their adoption of risky behaviors and their emotional health. The Commission of Inquiry into Post Election Violence (CIPEV) Report (2008)3 noted that approximately 524 or 80% of survivors of GBV treated at the Nairobi Women's Hospital suffered from rape and defilement, 65 or 10% from domestic violence with the remaining 10% from other types of physical and sexual assault. The report further observed that some victims of sexual violence already had HIV/ AIDS and others contracted it as a result of being raped and being unable to access medical services in time to reduce the chances of or prevent infection. LVCT Health's data on sexual violence from supported health facilities in the country recorded 4,944 cases of sexual violence in 2014. Women and girls constituted 90.8% of the cases whereas children under the age of eighteen accounted for 61.9% of all survivors reported by LVCT Health. In 2011-2012, the Nairobi Women's Gender Violence Recovery Centre recorded 2,532 cases of sexual violence. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: The Commission, 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2015 at: http://www.ngeckenya.org/Downloads/National-ME-Framework-towards-the-Prevention-Response-to-SGBV-in-Kenya.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.ngeckenya.org/Downloads/National-ME-Framework-towards-the-Prevention-Response-to-SGBV-in-Kenya.pdf Shelf Number: 137040 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSodomyViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Sexual Assault: Actions Needed to Improve DODs Prevention Strategy and to Help Ensure It Is Effectively Implemented Summary: Sexual assault is a crime that devastates victims and has a far-reaching negative impact for DOD because it undermines DODs core values, degrades mission readiness, and raises financial costs. DOD data show that reported sexual assaults involving service-members more than doubled from about 2,800 reports in fiscal year 2007 to about 6,100 reports in fiscal year 2014. Based on results of a 2014 survey, RAND estimated that 20,300 active-duty service-members were sexually assaulted in the prior year. Senate Report 113-176 includes a provision for GAO to review DODs efforts to prevent sexual assault. This report addresses the extent to which DOD (1) developed an effective prevention strategy, (2) implemented activities department-wide and at military installations related to the departments effort to prevent sexual assault, and (3) developed performance measures to determine the effectiveness of its efforts to prevent sexual assault in the military. GAO evaluated DODs strategy against CDCs framework for effective sexual-violence prevention strategies, reviewed DOD policies, and interviewed cognizant officials. What GAO Recommends GAO recommends that DOD link prevention activities with desired outcomes; identify risk and protective factors for all domains; communicate and disseminate its strategy to all program personnel; align service policies with the strategy; and fully develop performance measures. DOD concurred with all recommendations and noted actions it was taking. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2015. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-16-61: Accessed November 6, 2015 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/673515.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/673515.pdf Shelf Number: 137209 Keywords: MilitaryRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Cox, Peta Title: Sexual assault and domestic violence in the context of co-occurrence and re-victimisation: State of knowledge paper Summary: This state of knowledge paper examines the intersection between sexual assault and domestic violence, focusing on two forms of concurrent victimisation: re-victimisation (when a woman, over her lifetime, experiences both sexual assault and domestic violence) and intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). The paper looks at the complexity of these experiences to identify the common impacts of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to critically examine how re-victimisation and IPSV can shift the ways in which we think about, and provide services for, women affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Key findings include: - The lack of longitudinal studies of re-victimisation reduces our ability to make conclusions about causal factors or the nature of victimisation over time. - Much of the available research on IPSV and re-victimisation is unable to be extrapolated to findings about the general population, as it focuses on non-representative groups such women who were attending psychology clinics. - Research indicates that women who experience child sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to experience IPSV than women who have not experienced CSA. Similarly, women who have experienced CSA are more likely to experience DV (not limited to sexual violence) in their adult relationships. - IPSV generally occurs in the context of other forms of violence and was often part of a larger pattern of coercive control in a relationship. IPSV should be considered a tactic of DV, and not a separate phenomenon. - Heteronormative beliefs and conservative gender norms were associated with acceptance and experience of sexual coercion for both men and women. - IPSV victims are less likely to seek help than victims of other forms of DV. - Drug and alcohol use may be a precursor, consequence or risk factor associated with IPSV and re-victimisation. Similarly, emotional distress and psychiatric conditions may increase a person's vulnerability to violence, place them in high risk contexts and/or may be a consequence of violence. - A wide range of communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women with a disability, have discrete patterns of victimisation, including distinct behaviours and norms that may increase the risk of victimisation. - Normative understandings of what constitutes "real rape" affect how victims, perpetrators and bystanders interpret experiences of sexual assault. These norms particularly affect interpretations of IPSV incidents. - Both IPSV and re-victimisation had significant physical and mental health consequences. Details: Sydney: ANROWS, 2015. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: State of Knowledge Paper, Issue 13: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://anrows.org.au/publications/landscapes/co-occurrence-and-re-victimisation Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://anrows.org.au/publications/landscapes/co-occurrence-and-re-victimisation Shelf Number: 137316 Keywords: Family ViolenceRepeat VictimizationSex CrimesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Mackay, Erin Title: Perpetrator interventions in Australia: Part one - Literature review. State of knowledge paper Summary: An Australian first, this state of knowledge paper maps the pathways and interventions for perpetrators of domestic/family violence and sexual assault through civil and criminal legal systems; and examines the responses and service systems currently available to DFV and sexual assault perpetrators in each jurisdiction. Violence against women is an insidious and entrenched problem in our society. In Australia, since the age of 15, one in six women has experienced physical violence by a current or former intimate partner and one in five women has experienced sexual violence (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012). Nationwide, nearly one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner (Bryant & Cussen, 2015). With sexual assault and domestic violence still being significantly under reported, these statistics only provide a limited snapshot of the true number of women and children that have experienced violence and abuse (Marcus & Braaf, 2007; Gelb, 2007). This violence has devastating physical, emotional and psychological consequences for women and their children, as well as profound social and economic consequences for society. In Australia, the Commonwealth and state and territory governments have committed to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan)(Council of Australian Governments [COAG], 2011). The National Plan was formulated around a vision that "Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities" (COAG, 2011, p. 10), and contains a number of national outcomes to be delivered by all governments over a 12-year period. This paper focuses on the sixth outcome of the National Plan, which is that "perpetrators stop their violence and are held to account" (COAG, 2011, p.29). The Second Action Plan (2013-16) of the National Plan contains action items directed towards supporting governments to implement high quality and consistent responses to perpetrators across systems (Australia. Department of Social Services, 2014). In particular, it focuses on improving the evidence-base and the quality of, and access to, perpetrator interventions. It identifies that systems including police, justice, corrections, and community services need to work together in consistent and integrated ways to increase the effectiveness of perpetrator interventions and stop perpetrators reoffending. In addition, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments have agreed to finalise a set of National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions during the life of the Second Action Plan (2013-16) of the National Plan. To support the Federal/state government collaborative efforts needed to achieve this, the Prime Minister announced in January 2015, that the issue of violence against women and their children, including the development of a set of national standards, would be elevated to COAG in 2015. COAG ministers agreed at their April 2015 meeting to consider a set of National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions (the National Standards) before the end of 2015. In this paper, Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) contributes to strengthening the evidence base on perpetrator interventions by identifying the current "state of knowledge" on Australian perpetrator interventions for sexual assault and family/domestic violence. Part one of this paper identifies, synthesises and describes the large body of Australian and international academic and grey literature on specific perpetrator programs, with attention to the definition, history, development and effectiveness of perpetrator interventions for sexual assault and family/domestic violence. The vast literature on perpetrator intervention considered in part one largely considers perpetrator programs (see Terminology section below), however, programs are just one type of perpetrator intervention. In recognition of this, part two of this paper sets out perpetrator pathways through the civil and criminal legal system in all states and territories in Australia, providing an overview of key legislative and policy frameworks in each jurisdiction for both sexual assault and family/domestic violence, in addition to mapping several specific programs in each jurisdiction back against these pathways. Details: Sydney: Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2015. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Landscapes: State of knowledge. Issue PP01/2015: Accessed January 26, 2016 at: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/s3fs-public/_Landscapes%20Perpetrators%20Part%20ONE.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/s3fs-public/_Landscapes%20Perpetrators%20Part%20ONE.pdf Shelf Number: 137659 Keywords: Abusive MenDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceInterventionsIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: Great Britain. Office for National Statistics Title: Crime Statistics: Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, year ending march 2015 Summary: This release is a collaboration between ONS and Home Office analysts. It explores a variety of official statistics on violent crime and is based on interviews carried out on the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) in the year to March 2014 and crimes recorded by the police period over the same period. Trend analysis from both sources is included. This release is split into five chapters, each covering a different aspect of violent crime. The first chapter provides an overview of violent crime, summarising the extent and range of violent crime together with an analysis of long term trends. It also explores information such as the characteristics of the victim and the offender, as well as where and when incidents took place. The second chapter presents analyses of data gathered from the Home Office Homicide Index which includes murder, manslaughter and infanticide. The chapter discusses trends in homicide and puts the latest figures in the context of international comparisons. It also provides details on the characteristics of victims and suspects. The third chapter presents findings on the use of weapons in selected offences recorded by the police including firearms, knives and sharp instruments. It includes information on how they are used, and the injuries caused, as well as describing the geographical distribution of these offences. The fourth chapter uses data from a self-completion section on the 2013/14 CSEW which asks about experience of sexual and domestic violence. It describes offences occurring in the 12 months before the interview as well as those taking place since age 16. The chapter explores aspects of serious sexual assault and attitudes to sexual violence. The final chapter presents findings from the 2013/14 CSEW on violent incidents where alcohol has been a factor. Additional analysis on the nature of alcohol-related violence is also provided from the combined datasets of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 CSEW. This chapter also presents some information on alcohol-related violent crime recorded by the police. Key points - The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) continues to show steady declines in violent crime over the last 20 years. Between the 1995 and the 2013/14 surveys, the number of violent crime incidents has fallen from 3.8 million in 1995 to 1.3 million in 2013/14. - Violent crime victimisation rates have fallen by more than half since peak levels of crime in the mid-1990s. In 1995 4.8% of adults aged 16 and over were a victim of violent crime in the previous year, compared with 1.8% in the 2013/14 survey. - Homicide has also shown a general downward trend since 2002/03. The number of currently recorded homicides for 2013/14 (526) and 2011/12 (528) were the lowest since 1989 (521). The number of homicides in 2013/14 was equivalent to 9.2 offences per million population. - As in previous years, children under one year old had the highest rate of homicide (23.9 offences per million population) compared with other age groups. With the exception of those aged under one year, adults generally had higher incidence rates of being a victim of homicide than children. - The numbers of sexual offences (64,205) in 2013/14 was the highest recorded by the police since 2002/03. As well as improvements in recording, this is thought to reflect a greater willingness of victims to come forward to report such crimes. The CSEW has not seen a rise in the prevalence of sexual assault. The latest estimates show a small fall in sexual assault victimisation rates compared with the previous year. - In 2013/14, there were 7,709 offences in which firearms were involved, a 5% decrease compared with 2012/13. Offences involving knives or sharp instruments fell by 2% between 2012/13 and 2013/14 (to 25,972). These falls follow a sustained downward trend over a number of years. - The profile of victims of violent crime and sexual violence varied according to the type of offence. The CSEW showed that young men were most likely to be the victims of violence, while in contrast young women were more likely to have experienced sexual assault (including attempts). - Women were also more likely to be a victim of domestic abuse, with 8.5% of women and 4.5% of men having experienced domestic abuse in the last year, equivalent to an estimated 1.4 million female victims and 700,000 male victims. - In 2013/14, as in previous years, around two-thirds of homicide victims (65%) were male. In contrast, victims killed by a partner or ex-partner were more likely to be women. - Victims perceived the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol in 53% of violent incidents. This is equivalent to an estimated 704,000 'alcohol-related' violent incidents. While the volume of violent incidents that were 'alcohol-related' has fallen over time the proportion has remained relatively steady over the last ten years. Alcohol was a particularly prevalent factor in violent incidents between strangers, 64% of which were perceived to be alcohol-related. Details: London: Office of National Statistics, 2016. various pagings Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2016 at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Shelf Number: 137883 Keywords: Alcohol-Related CrimeCrime StatisticsCrime SurveysDomestic ViolenceFirearmsGun-Related ViolenceHomicidesSexual AssaultSexual OffensesSexual ViolenceVictimizationViolent CrimeWeapons |
Author: Jagori Title: Safe City Free of Violence Against Women and Girls Initiative: A Study of Delhi Police Help Lines Summary: This study is part of the Safe City free From Violence against Women and Girls Initiative, Delhi of Jagori in partnership with UN Women, UN HABITAT and the Department of Women and Child Development, Delhi Government. Women and girls are vulnerable to violence both within and outside the home and we recognize that the continuum of violence continues from personal/private to public space. We have been working on this issue since 2005 and have completed several surveys and safety audits in order to understand the problem in detail and in all its diversity. A baseline survey was conducted in Delhi in 2010 to focus on violence against women including sexual harassment, staring, touching, sexual assault, attempted rape, stalking and lewd comments, in a wide range of public spaces. The sample was 5010 men and women above the age of 16 covering all nine districts of Delhi. Conducted to research into factors that create greater safety and inclusion for women in public spaces around the city, the survey gathered and analyzed information about the following: (a) nature and forms of gender‐based violence and/or harassment faced by women, (b) spots where these incidents happen and that are perceived to be unsafe and inaccessible to women, (c) strategies adopted by women to defend themselves, (d) role of governing agencies and the police in safeguarding women's rights, and (e) societal perceptions and attitudes towards rights of women and girls. After conducting interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders, both government and non government, a draft strategic framework document was drawn up in 2010. This document identified several key areas of intervention in order to have a sustainable impact on reducing vulnerability and increasing safety. These include: - Urban planning and design of public spaces - Provision and management of urban infrastructure and services - Public transport - Policing - Legislation, justice and support to victims - Education - Civic awareness and participation This study has been carried out by Multiple Action Research Group (MARG) and provides data on the gaps in the functioning of Delhi Police helplines which are a first point contact for most people. Further the study also provides recommendations on addressing these gaps. Details: New Delhi: Safe Delhi, 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2016 at: http://safedelhi.in/sites/default/files/reports/Delhi%20Police%20Helpline%20Study_Jagori_Marg_final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: India URL: http://safedelhi.in/sites/default/files/reports/Delhi%20Police%20Helpline%20Study_Jagori_Marg_final.pdf Shelf Number: 138262 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolencePolice HelplinesPublic SpacesRapeSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentStalkingViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Women's League of Burma Title: "If they had hope, they would speak": The ongoing use of state sponsored sexual violence in Burma's ethnic communities Summary: Burma Army soldiers continue to engage in acts of sexual violence on a widespread scale, and women and human rights defenders in ethnic communities face harassment and persecution, the Women's League of Burma (WLB) said in a new report published today to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. To achieve sustainable peace and help safeguard the rights of ethnic women, the government of Burma must immediately stop its military offensives in the ethnic areas, pull back its troops and begin political dialogue with the ethnic armed groups towards genuine federalism. The WLB's new report, 'If they had hope, they would speak': The ongoing use of state-sponsored sexual violence in Burma's ethnic communities', highlights 118 incidences of gang-rape, rape, and attempted sexual assault that have been documented in Burma since 2010, in both ceasefire and non-ceasefire areas. This number is believed to be a fraction of the actual number of cases that have taken place. These abuses-which are widespread and systematic-must be investigated, and may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international criminal law Details: Chiang Mai, Thailand: Women's League of Burma, 2014. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2016 at: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/VAW_Iftheyhadhope_TheywouldSpeak_English.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Burma URL: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/VAW_Iftheyhadhope_TheywouldSpeak_English.pdf Shelf Number: 138603 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: MacNeela, Padraig Title: Young People, Alcohol and Sex: What's Consent Got To Do With It? Exploring How Attitudes to Alcohol Impact on Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity: Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity:Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity: Summary: This qualitative study explores the intersection of university students attitudes to alcohol use and consent to engage in sexual activity. This report describes: - The background to the study - The two qualitative methodologies used to collect and analyse data - The findings that arose from student reactions to hypothetical scenarios of non-consenting sexual activity, and - Discusses the findings in respect of the scope to support change in attitudes to alcohol use and consent. One of the key findings in the extensive RCNI Rape and Justice in Ireland report (Hanley et al., 2009) was the high rate of co-occurrence of heavy drinking with rape, by perpetrators and / or victims. This finding led RCNI to develop a year-long campaign in 2012, titled Calling Time on Sexual Violence and Alcohol. The current study builds on this work to address the links that exist between sexual violence and alcohol use. Internationally, it is recognised that extreme intoxication is a component of how the public understand sexual coercion and rape. For instance, this link underpins a 'double standard' attitude, whereby victims are attributed more responsibility if they had been drinking while perpetrators are often perceived as less responsible (Abbey, 2008). Studies of university student attitudes to alcohol use and non-consenting sexual encounters are not available in the Irish context, so relevant work from other countries will be cited in introducing this study. One reference point in the existing research literature is that of stereotypical rape myths (Ryan, 2011). These myths rely on attitudes and social scripts that support a network of fixed, false beliefs about sexual violence. Such rape myths are linked to the stigmatisation of victims by others. They are also associated with self-stigma, as many women who have been forced to have sex do not label the experience of rape, due to their own internalized expectations for what rape entails (Littleton et al., 2006). Thus, a victim who has been drinking may be less likely to label sexual violence as rape, in the mistaken belief that he or she shares responsibility for the assault. It is not just through rape-specific expectations that preconceptions and stereotypes inform attitudes to nonconsenting sex. Berntson et al. (2013) take a broader view on how college students use scripts and pre-existing expectations to make sense of their relationship experiences. For them, relationships and sexual activity are interpreted through interpersonal sexual scripts that are shared among peers. Berntson et al. suggest that women are more likely to view their sexual activity within a communicative, relationship-based script. They contrast this with the traditional male preference for a recreational script for 'no strings' sex. This picture reflects long-standing cultural norms, in which men and women may be pursuing different, potentially conflicting objectives through sexual activity. It should be noted that gender role differences in expectations for sexual activity may now be changing. According to U.S. research, recreational sexual scripts have gained traction among young adults as an acceptable option for both sexes. This has been seen in the emergence of the 'hook up' culture. Hooking up refers to engaging in sexual behaviours without a pre-existing romantic relationship (Downing-Matibag & Geisinger, 2009). This might include sexual intercourse, but a hook up can also include or be restricted to oral sex, sexual touching, or masturbation. It is at this point that it becomes essential to consider the intersection between attitudes to sex and the impact that alcohol use has for sexual expression among young adults. Alcohol use has been identified as a critical issue for the well-being of young adults who take part in hook ups. In one recent survey of U.S. students, Thomson Ross et al. (2011) found that non-consenting sex was strongly associated with binge drinking and reports of harms arising from alcohol consumption. The link between drinking and non-consenting sex is especially relevant in an Irish context, as, quite apart from the emergence of a hook up culture, alcohol use is a dominant feature of socialising among young adults. For instance, a comparative study of 21 countries established that Irish university students exhibited one of the highest rate of drinking internationally (94%) (Dantzer et al., 2006). Dantzer et al. found no gender difference in the rate of non-drinking among Irish students, whereas in most countries rates of non-drinking are substantially higher among females than males. Ireland is one of several European countries with particularly high rates of alcohol consumption, along with Denmark, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Netherlands (Dantzer et al., 2006). All of these countries have high rates of binge drinking as well, a style of drinking that involves the consumption of large amounts of alcohol within a short period. There is by now little doubt that binge drinking is associated with considerably elevated risks of exposure to alcohol-related harms. These span the physical domain (e.g., injury, blackouts), psychological harms (e.g., lower quality of life, alcohol dependence), and social harms (e.g., higher rates of public disorder convictions, lower academic performance) (Kypri et al., 2009). Following repeated exposure to harms among peer networks, negative events such as a memory blackout or interpersonal conflict may become normalised. It may be the case that these adverse outcomes become accepted as the cost of accommodating heavy drinking as an integral part of the university experience. The degree to which alcohol-related harms such as non-consenting sex, rape, and sexual assault have been normalised is as yet unstudied in the Irish context. Details: Galway: Rape Crisis Network Ireland, 2014. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 12, 2016 at: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Whats-Consent-Full-A41.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Whats-Consent-Full-A41.pdf Shelf Number: 138638 Keywords: Alcohol Related CrimeBinge DrinkingCampus RapeColleges and UniversitiesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Watson, Joy Title: The role of the state in addressing sexual violence: Assessing policing service delivery challenges faced by victims of sexual offences Summary: The focus of this policy paper will be to look at the role of the state in addressing sexual violence in public and private spaces. Specifically, the focus will be on the policy provisions in terms of service delivery to sexual offences victims in terms of policing and health services and how these services are currently being provided. The paper begins by discussing the prevalence of violence against women globally and in South Africa. It then examines the South African state's response to gender-based violence and the gendered nature of the state's response to addressing violence against women. The paper further examines the response of the criminal justice system, and assesses the service delivery challenges faced by victims of sexual offences at the hands of the police and broader criminal justice system, and the intersection of this with healthcare provision. The paper concludes by making recommendations on how to address these challenges. Details: Cape Town, South Africa: African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: APCOF Policy Paper no. 13: Accessed April 13, 2016 at: http://www.apcof.org/files/9762_APCOF_Brief13.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.apcof.org/files/9762_APCOF_Brief13.pdf Shelf Number: 138648 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Rosay, Andre B. Title: Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings From the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Summary: This report examines the prevalence of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men, using a large nationally representative sample from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). More specifically, it provides estimates of sexual violence, physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, and psychological aggression by intimate partners. It also provides estimates of interracial and intraracial victimizations and briefly examines the impact of violence. Results should be used to raise awareness and understanding about violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey The NISVS was launched in 2010 by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Defense. This survey provides detailed information about sexual violence, physical violence by an intimate partner, stalking, and psychological aggression by an intimate partner. The analysis in this report is based on two of the samples that were included in the 2010 NISVS - the general population sample and the American Indian and Alaska Native over-sample. These two samples provide information from 2,473 adult women and 1,505 adult men who identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native, alone or in combination with another racial group. Most women (83 percent) and most men (79 percent) were affiliated or enrolled with a tribe or village. For both women and men, more than half (54 percent for both) had lived within reservation boundaries or in an Alaska Native village in the past year. The NISVS has important limitations: Only certain types of victimizations were included, the survey was only administered by phone, and it was not conducted in any indigenous languages. As with other victimization surveys, estimates may be impacted by recall errors and by the continuing stigma associated with disclosing victimizations. Some estimates have large margins of error. Despite these limitations, the survey also has important strengths: It uses behaviorally specific questions and it was administered to a large, nationally representative sample. The survey results provide the most thorough assessment on the extent of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2016. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249736.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249736.pdf Shelf Number: 139150 Keywords: American IndiansFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceNative AmericansSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Establishing the Connection: Interventions linking service responses for sexual assault with drug or alcohol use/abuse: Final report Summary: Establishing the Connection was a Victorian-based study that aimed to examine the intersections between alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and sexual victimisation and trauma, how both support sectors currently work together, and how they can respond more effectively to the needs of those affected. The study found that: - Participants from both the AOD and the sexual assault sectors demonstrated a practical understanding of the interrelationship between drug and alcohol use and sexual victimisation. The overlap between sexual victimisation and alcohol and other drug use was very relevant for AOD and sexual assault counsellors and managers who were aware of the very large numbers of potentially "shared" clients. - Current practice in the assessment and intake processes in the AOD and sexual assault sectors varies considerably and reflects both the organisational frameworks that guide practice, as well as the initiative and confidence of individuals in the sectors in referring clients to other services. - Factors that hinder collaboration included insufficient resources; uncertainty about how the other sector works; lack of communication; and role creep, which describes the expansion of demands and activities of a job or role over time that are not balanced by additional resources to support them. - Practitioners and managers expressed great interest in expanding their understanding of the other sector through a variety of avenues, some of which included: shared focus on client-centred care; openness to discussion and sharing information; previous interagency collaboration; and policy and governance support. Findings from the report informed the development of practice guidelines to assist service providers with the identification, assessment, response and referral of individuals and families affected by co-occurring sexual abuse victimisation and substance use issues. Details: Alexandria, NSW: National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2016. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: ANROWS Horizons, Issue 02/2016: Accessed May 31, 2016 at: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/Establishing%20the%20Connection%20Horizons.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/Establishing%20the%20Connection%20Horizons.pdf Shelf Number: 139249 Keywords: Alcohol and CrimeDrug Abuse and CrimeRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: Booted: Lack of Recourse for Wrongfully Discharged US Military Rape Survivors Summary: Over the years thousands of service members who reported sexual assaults or harassment in the US military found their careers cut short involuntarily. Those suffering from trauma were unfairly discharged for a "personality disorder" or a pre-existing mental health condition that makes them ineligible for benefits. Others were given "Other Than Honorable" discharges for misconduct that shut them out of the Veterans Affairs system and a broad range of educational and financial assistance. Recently, the US defense department has introduced reforms to improve protection for service members who are sexually assaulted. However, these changes have not redressed existing wrongs. Booted: Lack of Recourse for Wrongfully Discharged US Military Rape Survivors draws on interviews with 163 sexual assault survivors from all branches of the US military from the Vietnam War era to the present. The report shows that the consequences for veterans and their families of having "bad paper" (any less than honorable discharge) or being labeled with a personality disorder are far-reaching, impacting employment, child custody, health care, disability payments, and even burial rights-virtually all aspects of life. Despite the high stakes, veterans can do little to fix an unjust discharge. Service members are prohibited from suing the military for service-related harm. Administrative structures meant to correct injustices, the Boards for Correction of Military Records, are overwhelmed. Well over 90 percent of those applying to the Boards to change their discharge are rejected with almost no opportunity to be heard or for meaningful review. Judicial oversight of the Boards is virtually non-existent. Human Rights Watch calls on Congress and the defense secretary to take measures to correct wrongful discharges of sexual assault survivors and strengthen administrative mechanisms to ensure all veterans receive an opportunity to be heard and meaningful, independent review of any injustices in their records. Details: New York: HRW, 2016. 139p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 8, 2016 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/us0516_militaryweb_1.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/us0516_militaryweb_1.pdf Shelf Number: 139331 Keywords: Military VeteransRape VictimsSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentVictim Services |
Author: UBS Optimus Foundation Title: Sexual abuse of children and adolescents in South Africa: Forms, extent and circumstances Summary: A solid foundation for better child protection Children are our future; they deserve special protection. It is the state's responsibility to ensure their rights are safeguarded and, under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this includes a duty to protect them from sexual assault. Unfortunately, states are not always successful in doing so. Between 20 and 30 percent of all children and adolescents in South Africa have experienced sexual assault at least once. Yet sound data about the actual extent, forms, circumstances and possible consequences of sexual assaults on children and adolescents have been almost impossible to come by until now. The UBS Optimus Foundation has set itself the goal of changing this and improving the protection of minors against sexual assault sustainably and for the long term. To this end, it launched the Optimus Study, an internationally oriented, large-scale academic project spanning ten years. Representative data about the extent and forms of sexual assault against children and adolescents have now been gathered in three countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, and compared with data from child protection organizations in the relevant country. In this way, fundamental gaps in the relevant child protection systems are revealed and used to form the basis for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. The UBS Optimus Foundation has worked closely with all significant stakeholders in the field of child protection, providing information for policy makers, child protection practitioners, educators, parents and children and create new platforms for the exchange of information and ideas. Data surveys in Switzerland, China and South Africa. The Optimus Study series has now been completed with data gathered in China, Switzerland and South Africa. This publication provides an overview of the Optimus Study South Africa. Over 13,600 children aged between 15 and 17 provided information about their experiences of sexual assault, possible consequences they suffered, the context of the incident, the perpetrator and the circumstances of their personal lives. In addition, 37 focus groups with institutions from the field of child protection gave information about cases reported to them. The result is likely the most comprehensive picture to date of the extent and forms of sexual assault against minors in South Africa. Details: Zurich, SWIT: UBS Optimus Foundation, 2015. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 11, 2016 at: https://www.ubs.com/ Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: https://www.ubs.com/ Shelf Number: 139399 Keywords: Adolescent Sexual Abuse Child Abuse and Neglect Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Sexual Assault |
Author: Wells, William Title: Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kits in Houston, TX: Case Characteristics, Forensic Testing Results, and the Investigation of CODIS Hits, Final Report Summary: In 2011, the National Institute of Justice funded the Houston Police Department to form a multidisciplinary team to study the problem of sexual assault kits (SAK) that were collected but never submitted to a crime lab for screening and testing. The Houston Action-Research Project sought to understand the factors that produced the volume of unsubmitted SAKs, the way forensic evidence is used during criminal investigations and prosecutions of sexual assaults, and what stakeholders should expect when large numbers of previously unsubmitted SAKs get tested. The project adopted a holistic approach and considered the broader issue of responses, beyond testing the kits, to sexual assaults in the community. Houston's Action-Research Project Working Group includes representatives from the following organizations: - Houston Forensic Science Center - Harris County District Attorney's Office - Harris Health System - Houston Area Women's Center - Houston Police Department Sex Crimes Investigative Units - Memorial Hermann Health System - Sam Houston State University - Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology - University of Texas at Austin - Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault The group has been working collaboratively and collecting data that has allowed for an understanding of multiple aspects of the local response system. The organizations that have been working on this project have also been implementing and evaluating reforms that are meant to improve the response to sexual assaults. Action research entails an iterative process in which research evidence informs responses and for this reason the project has generated multiple research reports. This is one of a number of reports and presentations that will be released to help other jurisdictions learn from our experiences as they seek to better understand and improve their own practices. Details: Final report submitted to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2016. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249812.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249812.pdf Shelf Number: 139402 Keywords: Criminal EvidenceCriminal InvestigationDNA SamplingPolice Policies and ProceduresRapeSexual Assault |
Author: Breckenridge, Jan Title: Meta-evaluation of existing interagency partnerships, collaboration collaboration, coordination and/or integrated interventions and service responses to violence against women Summary: This paper presents a preliminary overview of the literature on the partnerships, collaborations and integrated interventions in relation to domestic and family violence and sexual assault in the international and Australian context. The paper finds that the current Australian policy context prioritises integration and multi-sectoral responses to address the limitations of traditional service delivery and the negative consequences of fragmentation and disconnection. Despite the significant challenges to integrated responses, and the limited evidence base on effective responses (which is improving with a growing number of evaluation studies in Australia and internationally), the anecdotal and empirically derived potential benefits appear to outweigh the alternatives. Details: Sydney: ANROWS, 2015. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: (Landscapes: State of knowledge: Issue 11/2015: Accessed July 11, 2016 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/integrated_responses_meta-evaluation_-landscapes_state_of_knowledge_issue_eleven.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 139606 Keywords: Domestic Violence Family Violence Intimate Partner Violence Sexual AssaultVictim Services Violence Against Women |
Author: Hastings, Allison Title: Partnering with Community Sexual Assault Response Teams: A Guide for Local Community Confinement and Juvenile Detention Facilities Summary: Community-based sexual assault response teams, or SARTs, are considered a best practice for addressing the needs of victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The federal standards for implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) require correctional facilities to develop a coordinated, victim-centered response to sexual assault so that victims in confinement settings - including prisons, jails, lockups, and community confinement and juvenile facilities - get the services and care they need. This guide, also available at PREAguide.org, is designed to assist administrators of local community confinement and juvenile detention facilities with the task of developing coordinated response procedures and partnering with community SARTs. It is based on the experiences and lessons learned from the Sexual Assault Response Teams in Corrections Project, a multi-year pilot program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, that Vera implemented in Johnson County, Kansas. Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2015. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2016 at: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/library/preaguide.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/library/preaguide.pdf Shelf Number: 139948 Keywords: Juvenile DetentionJuvenile Sex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Smallbone, Stephen Title: Preventing Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse in West Cairns and Aurukun: Establishing the scope, dimensions and dynamics of the problem Summary: he Queensland Government recognises every child's right to feel safe and free from harm. In 2012 the Department of Premier and Cabinet commissioned Griffith University to examine Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse in West Cairns and Aurukun. The results of this examination highlighted evidence of youth sexual violence and abuse and the risks for the future. As a result, the Queensland Government has committed to taking positive action focused on the prevention of youth sexual violence and abuse in Queensland. Details: Brisbane: Griffith University, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2016 at: https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/programs/ysv-report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/programs/ysv-report.pdf Shelf Number: 147816 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: Browne, Angela Title: Examining Criminal Justice Responses To and Help-Seeking Patterns of Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities Summary: Despite national survey estimates indicating a sharp increase in rates of violent victimization and an increased risk of serious outcomes for people with reported disabilities compared to people without reported disabilities,i few studies have examined criminal justice responses to and help-seeking patterns of sexual assault survivors with disabilities. Goals of this exploratory study were to: 1. Describe criminal justice reporting of sexual assault against persons with disabilities (e.g., number and source of reports, characteristics of survivors and perpetrators, case characteristics, and case outcomes) using administrative and case file data from a large metropolitan area's District Attorney's Office (DAO)ii consisting of all sexual assault cases involving adults from 2008 to 2013 when the reported victim had a disability/was Deaf; 2. Assess how cases of sexual assault survivors with disabilities proceeded through the criminal court system, using administrative data, case file reviews, and Assistant District Attorney and Victim-Witness Advocate informational interviews; and 3. Describe help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities from formal and informal sources, including influences on how and where they seek help, their experiences in reporting, barriers to reporting, and outcomes of this reporting, drawn from interviews with community-based survivors and service providers. Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2016. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250196.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250196.pdf Shelf Number: 145107 Keywords: Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of CrimeVictims with Disabilities |
Author: Fields, Shawn E. Title: Debunking the Stranger in the Bushes Myth: The Case for Sexual Assault Protection Orders Summary: Rape mythologies about the "stranger lurking in the bushes" continue to inform attitudes and decisions by law enforcement personnel, judges, and juries. These archaic stereotypes prejudice sexual assault victims by conditioning factfinders to distrust rape allegations lacking corroborative evidence of a physical struggle with a stranger. In reality, over three-quarters of all sexual assaults in the United States are committed by someone known to the victim; more often than not the victim and perpetrator live, work, or attend school together. Given the perpetuation of rape myths, the incarceration rate for these "acquaintance rape" offenders currently stands at less than 1%. The failure of the criminal justice system to protect sexual assault victims from perpetrators with ongoing access to their victims puts victims at genuine risk of future harm. Moreover, existing civil restraining order statutes remain largely unavailable to sexual assault victims, because these statutes either require the presence of a romantic relationship or impose an unattainably high burden of proof for victims with little extrinsic evidence of physical assault. This Article advocates for a new Sexual Assault Protection Order that imposes no relationship requirement, operates under a lower burden of proof, and provides carefully-tailored prospective relief specifically designed for sexual assault victims. This Article also considers the constitutional concerns of critics who argue that restraining order hearings impermissibly adjudicate criminal guilt under more permissive civil procedures. The Article concludes by balancing these competing concerns, and recommending a model Sexual Assault Protection Order that can both provide tangible, attainable protection remedies to victims and adequately protect the rights of the accused. Details: Unpublished paper, 2016. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2016 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2849871 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2849871 Shelf Number: 140792 Keywords: Acquaintance RapeProtection OrdersRapeRestraining OrdersSexual Assault |
Author: Swegman, Casey Title: The Intersectionality of Forced Marriage with Other Forms of Abuse in the United States Summary: In the United States, forced marriage can impact individuals of any gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnic or religious background. In a 2011 survey, service providers in the U.S. (primarily legal and social services agencies in the domestic violence and sexual assault field but also including law enforcement, school and university staff, counselors, and other legal professionals) reported encountering as many as 3,000 known or suspected cases of forced marriage over a period of just two years (Tahirih Justice Center, 2011). Details: Harrisburg, PA : VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2016. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Applied Research: Accessed November 16, 2016 at: http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AR_ForcedMarriage.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AR_ForcedMarriage.pdf Shelf Number: 144844 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceForced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence against Women, Girls |
Author: Hamel, Christelle Title: Rape and sexual assault in France: initial findings of the VIRAGE survey Summary: How common are rape and other forms of sexual assault in France today? In what contexts, and at what ages do they occur? In 2015, the French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) conducted a large-scale survey of violence and gender relations (Violence et rapports de genre, VIRAGE), on a large sample of respondents representative of the French population aged 20- 69. Their answers to the survey questions provide a detailed picture of the sexual violence experienced by women and men in France. Details: Paris: French Institute for Demographic Studies, 2016. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Population & Societies no. 537: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/25953/538.population.societies.2016.november.rape.agression.sexual.en.pdf Year: 2016 Country: France URL: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/25953/538.population.societies.2016.november.rape.agression.sexual.en.pdf Shelf Number: 147925 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Summary: On August 4, 2015, law enforcement executives and officers, crime victim advocates, academics, and other subject matter experts convened to discuss a draft of the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence publication and to share promising practices and to develop effective strategies for serving victims of these crimes. The guidance in that publication aims to reflect and further the partnership between the DOJ and law enforcement executives, line officers, and supervisors, who work to uphold the civil and human rights of the communities they serve. Sexual assault and domestic violence constitute a significant portion of total violent crime, but two out of three victims of such offenses do not seek law enforcement assistance. It is incumbent upon law enforcement agencies to provide support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence who wish to pursue criminal charges, and agencies should create an environment in which victims feel comfortable and respected. Law enforcement agencies are usually a crime victim's first point of contact with the larger criminal justice system, so they have a responsibility to establish their legitimacy with victims. Women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have been disproportionately affected by crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence, and unde-renforcement of such offenses can constitute a gender-based bias on the part of law enforcement agencies. This bias can be avoided with thoughtful and informed policy development, high-quality training, strong leadership, and established accountability measures. The DOJ released Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence on December 15, 2015 with the support and input of state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies; advocates and experts in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault; and public service agencies and stakeholders. A replica of that document is included at end of this publication, and a related fact sheet is available online. Details: Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2016. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 21, 2016 at: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0796-pub.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0796-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 147771 Keywords: BiasDomestic ViolenceGender-Related BiasSexual AssaultVictims of CrimeViolence Against Women |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Sexual Assault: Better Resource Management Needed to Improve Prevention and Response in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve Summary: The Army National Guard (Guard) and Army Reserve (Reserve) have implemented sexual assault prevention and response programs, but face challenges in areas such as staffing, budget management, and investigation timeliness that may hinder program implementation. Staffing: The Guard and the Reserve have staffed their sexual assault prevention and response programs, but their use of full-time and collateral-duty personnel has produced sizeable workload disparities. For example, the Guard allots two full-time staff to each state and territory, which provides Rhode Island—a state with about 2,000 soldiers—the same number of staff as Texas, which has about 18,600 soldiers. Similar imbalances exist in the Reserve, with one full-time staff at one command responsible for about 9,000 soldiers located in 16 different states, while the one full-time staff member at another command is responsible for 300 soldiers in 4 states. Officials said that collateral-duty personnel are used to mitigate workload disparities, but these positions are not always filled in the Guard, and the Reserve does not know the number filled. Without evaluating their staffing structures, the Army does not know the extent of such issues and their effect. Budget Management: The Guard has developed budget guidance on the use of funds but has not effectively communicated it to program staff, and the Reserve has not developed or distributed this guidance to its staff. Thus, Guard and Reserve program staff do not have information needed to develop their budget allocations and help ensure the efficient use of program funds. Investigation Timeliness: Data on Guard cases investigated by its Office of Complex Administrative Investigations (OCI) in fiscal year 2015 show that 57 percent, or 45 of 79 cases, took 6 to 9 months to complete; 39 percent, or 31 of 79 cases, took 3 to 6 months; and the remaining 4 percent (3 of 79 cases) took longer than 9 months. According to OCI officials, investigations take longer to complete because OCI does not have enough personnel to handle its growing caseload, which more than doubled from 2014 to 2015. The Army and the Guard have not reassessed OCI's resources since the increase in investigation requests to help ensure it has the staff needed to complete investigations within 3 weeks, as required by OCI guidance. Eligibility for follow-up or long-term health-care services paid for or provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) varies based on a Guard or Reserve victim's duty status at the time of an assault. Victims in the Guard and Reserve must go through a process, known as a line of duty determination, to determine their eligibility for care. The Guard has established an expedited process for making a determination within 72 hours of the process being initiated. However, the Reserve's process is lengthy, and in prior work GAO found that 80 percent of these determinations were overdue. Reserve officials said they plan to include an expedited process in the new Army regulation that is being drafted; however, Reserve officials did not provide details about the planned process or documentation about how it would be implemented. Without an expedited process to provide more timely decisions, sexual assault victims in the Reserve may continue to pay for their care up front, or else face delayed access to care. Why GAO Did This Study Sexual assault in the Army is often discussed in terms of its incidence among active-duty forces. Sexual assault is a crime that similarly confronts the more than 550,000 members who collectively serve in the Guard and Reserve, who together reported 604 sexual assault incidents in fiscal year 2015; however, sexual assault is generally an underreported crime. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO to review sexual assault prevention and response in the Army's reserve components. This report addresses the extent to which (1) the Guard and Reserve face any challenges implementing programs to prevent and respond to sexual assault; and (2) medical and mental health-care services are available to victims in the Guard and Reserve. GAO reviewed DOD and Army policies; administered two web-based surveys; conducted site visits to four installations; and interviewed officials. What GAO Recommends GAO is making six recommendations, including that DOD evaluate program staffing structure, communicate and develop budget guidance, assess the Guard's investigation timeliness and resources, and develop an expedited process for determining Reserve eligibility for healthcare services. DOD concurred with three recommendations partially concurred with two, and did not concur with assessing Guard investigation timeliness, stating that the Army has limited authority over OCI. GAO continues to believe that actions are needed to fully address the two recommendations, and redirected the OCI recommendation to the Guard, as recommended by DOD. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2017. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-17-217: Accessed February 28, 2017 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683046.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683046.pdf Shelf Number: 141229 Keywords: ArmyMilitarySexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Strom, Kevin J. Title: Efficiency in Processing Sexual Assault Kits in Crime Laboratories and Law Enforcement Agencies Summary: Unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) that accrue in U.S. law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have been the subject of increasing attention for the past decade, as have untested SAKs pending analysis in crime laboratories. The field needs a research-informed approach to identify the most efficient practices for addressing the submission of SAKs in LEAs and the testing of SAKs in laboratories. This approach would also determine whether specific policies or characteristics of a jurisdiction result in more efficient processing outcomes. This mixedmethods study examines intra- and interagency dynamics associated with SAK processing efficiency in a linked sample of crime laboratories (N = 145) and LEAs (N = 321). Relying on responses to a national survey of laboratories and a matched sample of LEAs, researchers at RTI International used regression analysis and stochastic frontier modeling to assess how labor and capital inputs, evidence policies, evidence management systems, and models of cross-agency coordination affect SAK processing efficiency. Semistructured interviews with personnel from forensic laboratories, LEAs, and prosecutor's offices in six jurisdictions were used to elaborate on critical themes relating to SAK processing efficiency. Research Questions Research questions are organized into four sections: Submission and Testing Rates addresses whether laboratory or LEA characteristics are associated with efficiency at laboratory, LEA, and jurisdiction levels and includes one research question: - What laboratory or LEA characteristics (e.g., size of agency, use of technology) are associated with SAK testing or submission rates? Production Functions estimates the productivity of laboratory and LEA processing inputs and provides each unit with a technical efficiency score. Research questions include these: - How productive are laboratory DNA processing inputs and LEA labor inputs? - Do resource utilization inefficiencies contribute to the accumulation of SAKs in LEAs or laboratories? If so, what would be the impact if all inefficiencies were eliminated? Case Closure Rates investigates relationships between LEA submission rates and case closures and between laboratory testing rates and case closures. This section has the following research question: - Do testing or submission rates affect the number of cases that can be closed? Perceptions of Efficient Practices examines qualities or practices of agencies that are perceived to enhance efficiency. This section includes the following research question: - From the perspective of LEAs, laboratories, and prosecuting attorneys, what qualities or practices are most important for efficiency in SAK processing? Study Design and Methods To address the aforementioned research questions, RTI project staff conducted a 2-year mixed-methods study in three phases: - In Phase I, a national survey was administered to state, county, and municipal laboratories that conduct biological forensic analysis, and an additional survey was given to a sample of LEAs that submit SAK evidence to these laboratories. Questions were designed to assess SAK outputs (e.g., submission/testing rates) and inputs (e.g., labor, capital, policies, interagency communication). - In Phase II, production functions were estimated to examine effects of labor and capital inputs, in addition to policies, management systems, and cross-agency coordination on efficiency. - In Phase III, six jurisdictions were recruited for site visits, and qualitative methods were used to understand how LEAs, laboratories, and prosecutors implement practices that affect efficiency. Details: Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI International, 2017. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 18, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250682.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250682.pdf Shelf Number: 147387 Keywords: Crime LaboratoriesCriminal InvestigationEvidenceRapeSexual Assault |
Author: Cross, Theodore Title: Injury Evidence, Biological Evidence, and Prosecution of Sexual Assault Summary: Injury evidence and biological evidence gained from forensic medical examinations of victims can provide evidence about the crime as well as the means of linking a suspect to the crime. Evidence from a forensic medical examination can include genital and non-genital injuries, biological evidence (including sperm or semen, blood, and amylase, an enzyme of saliva), and a DNA profile that can often be derived from the biological evidence. This DNA can be matched to a potential suspect, matched to another investigation in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), or matched to a convicted offender in CODIS. Injury evidence can be used to establish a victim's lack of consent and could lead to physical assault charges. This project explored the use and impact of injury evidence and biological evidence through a study of the role of these forms of evidence in prosecuting sexual assault in an urban district attorney's office in a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. The research questions addressed in this summary overview are as follows: - How frequent were different forms of injury evidence and biological evidence in the sample? - Is the presence of injury evidence and biological evidence correlated with the presence of other forms of evidence? - Which types of cases and case circumstances are more likely to yield injury evidence and biological evidence? - Do the presence of injury evidence and biological evidence predict criminal justice outcomes, taking into account the effects of other predictors? - In what ways do prosecutors use injury evidence and biological evidence and what is their appraisal of their impact on case outcomes? Details: Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2017. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251036.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251036.pdf Shelf Number: 147400 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationEvidenceForensic EvidenceRapeSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Nobert, Megan Title: Addressing Sexual Violence in Humanitarian Organisations: Good Practices for Improved Prevention Measures, Policies, and Procedures Summary: Report the Abuse (RTA), the first global NGO to solely address sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers, has created the first good practices tool to assist humanitarian organisations in their efforts to improve how they address this problem. As the issue has gained more exposure, humanitarian organisations across the globe have increasingly asked for guidance. This good practices tool, as well as other guidelines and information created by RTA, forms the foundational basis for improved prevention measures, policies, and procedures to address sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers. Any discussion on this issue must start with why it happens, and to that end RTA's good practices tool begins by examining the most significant risk factor for sexual violence in humanitarian workplaces: organisational culture. Cultures that encourage constructive feedback, address misconduct issues, and provide the information and resources necessary for sexual violence issues to be addressed in a professional and survivorcentred manner are less likely to experience such incidents. Organisational culture not only underpins why sexual violence incidents occur, but why survivors so rarely report incidents. It is the core change that humanitarian organisations must be working towards - emphasising zero tolerance for sexual violence incidents of any nature. Zero tolerance must start with implementing strong and repetitious prevention measures: including simple and clear messaging about how sexual violence will not be tolerated, combined with appropriate, sensitive, and frequent trainings on the topic. Backed by strong leadership, these measures have the potential to significantly reduce the number of sexual violence incidents that might occur in humanitarian workplaces. Of course any prevention measure, in addition to being understood by all members of staff, must also be supported by policies and procedures that underline both prevention and response. Comprehensive, holistic, accessible, and survivor-centred policies on sexual violence in humanitarian workplaces serve an essential function: clarifying what is sexual violence, how to report incidents when they occur, and the consequences for perpetrators. The development of such policies must take into account feedback from staff members, in particular national staff, and evaluate the trust they have in the organisation's structure and mechanisms; this allows for the creation of an M&E system to start evaluating how humanitarian organisations are doing to address the issue. There is a myriad of ways to guarantee staff members fully understand what is acceptable behaviour: starting from recruitment through to the regular signing of a Code of Conduct. Ensuring that the language used in policies on sexual violence is accessible and understood by everyone in the organisation - from the cleaner to the Executive Director - can be a daunting task; however it is necessary for all members of staff to understand their rights to a safe and healthy workplace, as well as how they must contribute to the creation of one. It is important to remember that the first people a survivor encounters post-sexual violence can have a strong impact on their entire recovery process, good or bad. Therein lies the significance of developed and operational procedures, the final piece to creating safe and healthy workplaces for all humanitarian aid workers, and the real demonstration that all prevention measures and policies put in place by the organisation function professionally, impartially, and in a survivor-centred manner. Procedures start with functional and accessible reporting processes that result in transparent, professional, and impartial investigations; they end with accountability for both survivors and perpetrators. Where possible this should involve local justice mechanisms, bearing in mind that in many of the locations where humanitarian operations are undertaken this may not be a reality. In all circumstances though, the priorities must be the support and care of survivors, and the creation of an environment where impunity is not allowed to thrive. Given the importance of an organisation's culture in preventing incidents of sexual violence, it should be clear that different roles within humanitarian organisations could be vital to addressing this issue. To further assist humanitarian aid workers at all different levels, we have provided some analysis of how different roles can and must contribute to the creation of safe and healthy humanitarian workplaces, and we actively encourage the empowerment of individuals within such roles to address this problem. Finally, as part of our continuing efforts to provide support and guidance, for all of the sections noted within this short summary, a series of recommendations has been provided. These recommendations should help to guide implementation of the good practices tool, and in particular assist in the development of M&E measures to determine progress on the issue. However, humanitarian organisations are also encouraged to expand on the ideas outlined within this tool and use it as a starting or foundational block. The publication of the good practices tool, and other guidance and information created by RTA, should not be seen as the end of work on the issue. This is the starting point, from which we hope others will take up our call to action. Addressing sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers is necessary, and it must happen now, not tomorrow. It is a real and grave issue that needs to be tackled by all humanitarian organisations, for the benefit of all humanitarian aid workers. Details: Swit: Report the Abuse, 2017. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2017 at: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/RTA%20Addressing%20Sexual%20Violence%20in%20Humanitarian%20Organisations%20-%20Good%20Practices%20for%20Improved%20Prevention%20Measures%2C%20Policies%2C%20and%20Procedures.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/RTA%20Addressing%20Sexual%20Violence%20in%20Humanitarian%20Organisations%20-%20Good%20Practices%20for%20Improved%20Prevention%20Measures%2C%20Policies%2C%20and%20Proce Shelf Number: 147443 Keywords: Humanitarian Aid WorkersRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceWorkplace Violence |
Author: Morgan, Rachel E. Title: Race And Hispanic Origin Of Victims And Offenders, 2012-15 Summary: Presents estimates of violent victimization (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault) by the race and Hispanic origin of victims and offenders during the 4-year period from 2012 through 2015. This report examines victim, offender, and incident characteristics, such as crime type, victim-offender relationship, and reporting to police. Findings are based on data from BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey, which collects information on nonfatal crimes, reported and not reported to the police, against persons age 12 or older. Highlights: During 2012-15, half (51%) of violent victimizations were intraracial, that is both victims and offenders were the same race or both were of Hispanic origin. In the majority of violent victimizations, white victims' offenders were white (57%) and black victims' offenders were black (63%). The rates of total violent crime, serious violent crime, and simple assault were higher for intraracial victimizations than for interracial victimizations. From 1994 to 2015, white-on-white violence (down 79%) and black-on-black violence (down 78%) declined at a similar rate. During 2012-15, there were no differences among white, black, and Hispanic intraracial victimizations reported to police. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2017. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2017 at: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rhovo1215.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rhovo1215.pdf Shelf Number: 147744 Keywords: Crime StatisticsNational Crime Victimization SurveyRace and CrimeRapeRobberySexual AssaultVictimizationVictimsViolent Crime |
Author: Rotenberg, Cristine Title: Police-reported sexual assaults in Canada, 2009 to 2014: A statistical profile Summary: - Over a six-year period between 2009 and 2014, police reported 117,238 sexual assaults in Canada where sexual assault was the most serious violation in the incident. - Almost all (98%) police-reported sexual assaults were classified as level 1 offences (assault without a weapon or evidence of bodily harm). - The median age of victims of police-reported sexual assault was 18 years. The majority (87%) of victims were female, particularly young women and girls. One in four (26%) victims were children aged 13 and younger. This is more than four times greater than the proportion of child victims of physical assault (6%). - An accused was identified in 60% of police-reported sexual assaults, of which 69% were charged. Overall, less than half (41%) of police-reported sexual assaults resulted in a charge being laid, compared with half (50%) of physical assaults. - The vast majority (98%) of accused charged with sexual assault were male, with a median age of 33 years. - The median delay in reporting to police-the time between when the offence took place and when it was reported to police - was 25 days for sexual assaults, compared with only two days for physical assaults. The longest delay in reporting to police was observed among incidents involving children sexually assaulted by their parent, with a median delay of one year. - Of sexual assaults where a charge was laid by police, the majority (87%) of victims knew their assailant; most commonly as a casual acquaintance, a family member, or an intimate partner. Only a small proportion (13%) of sexual assaults were perpetrated by someone who was a stranger to the victim. - Most (83%) victims of sexual assault were sexually assaulted by someone older than them. Of these charged cases, the median age gap between the victim and their assailant was 13 years. These findings are in contrast to those for physical assault, where victims were most commonly assaulted by someone in their peer age group (within five years). - One in five (19%) sexual assaults with a charge laid were perpetrated by an accused that may meet the age-based criteria for pedophilia. This includes incidents where the accused was 16 years of age and older, the victim was 13 years of age and younger, and there was at least a five year age gap between them (as stipulated by clinical criteria). Over half (55%) of these cases involved a child sexually assaulted by an older family member. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2017. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat: Accessed November 9, 2017 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54866-eng.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54866-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 148090 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCrime StatisticsRapeSex CrimeSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Mann, Rosemary Title: Norma's Project: A Research Study into the Sexual Assault of Older Women in Australia Summary: Norma's Project was conceived in response to the experience of Norma, the mother of one of the four researchers involved in the project. Norma was a confused and vulnerable 83 year old woman who was sexually assaulted by a male staff member during a respite stay in a residential aged care facility in 2011. Norma was able to tell her story coherently and consistently, and she was able to identify her attacker. She was fortunate that her daughter and others, including police and sexual assault workers, listened and believed her account, tried to bring the perpetrator to justice, and worked hard to make her feel safe again. Nonetheless, given the lack of forensic evidence, the case against the perpetrator was not strong enough for a successful court action to be prosecuted. The idea of older women as victims of sexual assault is relatively recent and little understood. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that, despite the silence that surrounds the topic, such assaults occur in many settings and circumstances. The lack of community awareness can be partly attributed to commonly held assumptions that older women are asexual. How, then, can they be the target of sexual assault? What is unimaginable and unacceptable becomes unsayable or invisible. The significant gaps in knowledge about the sexual assault of older women present a major obstacle to the development of frameworks and strategies for prevention and intervention. Consequently the Norma's Project research team sought funding from the Australian Department of Social Services to address the gaps and increase our understandings of the settings, social contexts and vulnerabilities associated with the sexual assault of older women. The project aims to increase awareness of this important issue both within the community and amongst service providers, and to strengthen the community's ability to prevent, respond to and speak out about the sexual assault of older women. Details: Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), LaTrobe University, 2014. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: http://elder-mediation.com.au/resources/Sexual_Assault_Older_Women_Australia.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://elder-mediation.com.au/resources/Sexual_Assault_Older_Women_Australia.pdf Shelf Number: 148283 Keywords: Elder Abuse and NeglectElderly VictimsRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Campbell, Bradley A. Title: Predictors of Police Decision Making in Sexual Assault Investigations Summary: Existing literature has identified several victim credibility and case characteristics that have been focal to practitioner decision making in sexual assault cases. Much of this research has assessed the impact of case and victim characteristics most important to decisions to arrest and charge in cases of sexual assault. Comparatively less research has examined the individual case and victim attributes that impact pre-arrest decisions made by police investigators. The current study analyzed data from 481 sexual assault cases, investigated by the Houston Police Department Sexual Assault Unit, to examine the impact of victim credibility and case attributes on police investigators' pre-arrest decision to present a case to the prosecutor for charges to be accepted. The study builds on findings from prior research by informing an understanding of early decisions made by police investigators, and by applying the focal concerns and downstream orientation frameworks to explain these decisions. Specifically, the study answered the research questions: (1) What are the focal concerns of the pre-arrest decision to present cases to prosecutors; (2) Which specific attributes of victim credibility are correlated with police decisions to seek charges in sexual assault investigations; (3) Does the impact of case characteristics, suspect characteristics, and victim characteristics and behavior change when the suspect has been identified; (4) Are the correlates of police decision making different in non-stranger cases; and (5) Are case, suspect, or victim characteristics more focal to police decisions in non-stranger cases? Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were conducted to examine the focal concerns of pre-arrest police decisions using the full sample of cases, as well as two subsamples of cases in which at least one suspect was identified, and non-stranger cases. Overall, findings across the three samples were consistent, and revealed that victim characteristics and credibility concerns were subordinate to case characteristics. Case characteristics, particularly victim cooperation, obtainment of a confession, and the presence of a witness were the primary focal concerns in investigators' decision to present cases to the prosecutor. Findings, policy implications and future research directions are discussed. Details: Houston, TX: Sam Houston State University, 2015. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1696945275?pq-origsite=gscholar Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1696945275?pq-origsite=gscholar Shelf Number: 148284 Keywords: Criminal Justice InvestigationPolice Decision MakingSexual Assault |
Author: Kaur, Kam Title: Local commissioning of services addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation in England Summary: On behalf of the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, Cordis Bright undertook an independent review in spring 2017 of how child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA/CSE) services were commissioned in five local areas in England. The review sought to clarify local approaches developed through local authorities, health and wellbeing boards, Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners (OPCCs), NHS England and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). It aimed to identify challenges, weaknesses and strengths in current local commissioning which might be of broader interest. Commissioners' views were also sought on the support they were looking for, including how the Centre of expertise might help. Following a review of the literature, Cordis Bright conducted interviews with 30 commissioners, commissioning partners, service providers and local practitioner experts across the five local areas. In view of the link with CSA/CSE, harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) was included in the review as it progressed. Limitations The review was a rapid research exercise informed by evidence from five sites. Whilst these sites provide a degree of diversity, the findings will not fully reflect experiences in all locations in England, and do not incorporate experiences in Wales. The findings reflect a point in time (spring 2017) and should be considered with reference to emerging developments which may influence change, such as the impending release by the NHS of its strategy on sexual abuse. The review focused on local commissioning and does not provide direct insight into centralised commissioning processes. However, some of its findings may be useful to decision-makers in that context. Findings The findings, drawn from the interviews, are summarised thematically here. A key caveat to the findings is the fact that the fieldwork was limited to five local authority areas in England. A theme underpinning many of the findings, and reported in all five areas, is the impact of the current economic climate on local service provision. Stakeholders reported that local commissioners' budgets are diminishing, as is the independently generated income of voluntary and community sector (VCS) service providers. Commissioning challenges Local commissioners were said to face a number of common challenges: - The high profile accorded to CSE by central government has been beneficial, but has not yet been extended to CSA and HSB. - Whilst CSE service commissioning practice appear well-developed, CSA and HSB services are not commissioned (or delivered in-house) with the same transparency and robustness. - The use of short-term contracts (usually lasting three years) limits VCS partnership/investment opportunities. - Good commissioning partnerships (with other commissioners or the VCS) will require a significant amount of investment to develop and maintain. - Cuts to commissioning teams limit the scope and quality of commissioning activity. - There needs to be more detail on CSA/CSE and HSB, including online elements of abuse, in local population needs assessments. - Health bodies and schools are not always seen by others as engaged as full partners in the commissioning of local CSA/CSE and HSB services. - There is no quality assurance framework to ensure that schools have appropriate safeguarding care pathways or commissioned CSA/CSE/HSB response services. - There is no consensus on good outcomes measurement - in particular focusing on 'distance travelled' for an individual (emotional wellbeing, improvement in relationship with family and friends, access to positive alternative activities and engagement in learning) - for CSA/CSE and HSB services. Stakeholders wanted: - CSA and HSB to be included in CSE commissioning governance, reported as usually being overseen by the Director of Children's Services and a local safeguarding children board (LSCB) subgroup - mental health trusts to have in place governance and partnership arrangements focusing on CSA/ CSE recovery - more focus from the OPCCs on children and young people, including funding for the vital role of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) - all areas to have an explicit, integrated CSA, CSE and HSB strategy - national CSA/CSE and HSB commissioning guidance which minimises contract-monitoring activity. Gaps in commissioned services Local areas expressed concerns including the following: - There has been a significant reduction in prevention services for CSE and HSB. More investment is required from schools, public health budgets and CCGs. - There has not been any CSA prevention work. - There has been a significant reduction in school nursing services. Nurses have been a key contact for identification/disclosure of CSA/CSE. - Responding to online abuse needs to be included in local CSA/CSE and HSB services. - The regionalisation of the SARCs may be supported on medical grounds, but has increased travel time for children and young people. Additionally, more follow-up counselling support sessions funded through SARCs are needed. - There is a significant shortfall in follow-up or recovery services for children who have experienced CSA/CSE and/or HSB. Where budgets are not protected for existing services, the services risk losing the flexibility needed for victims to disclose and recover. - Transition from children's to adults' services is difficult for survivors of CSA and CSE. - The volume of HSB is growing, but services are reducing. Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/ Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-en Shelf Number: 149216 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesIntervention ProgramsSex Offender TreatmentSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: End Rape on Campus Australia Title: Connecting the dots: Understanding sexual assault in university communities Summary: The following report is the result of End Rape on Campus Australia's extensive experience working with and advocating for student survivors of sexual assault. We believe that everyone has a right to an education free from sexual violence and that educational institutions have the responsibility of addressing sexual assault within their communities, both at the level of primary prevention, as well as through providing quality, trauma-informed services and pathways for reporting incidents of sexual assault. In this submission, we provide an overview of the problem of sexual assault at tertiary educational institutions in Australia, including the nature and extent of the issue, the obstacles a survivor may face when reporting and accessing support, and the historical context of universities' failure to respond to this issue. We have made a number of recommendations for change both at individual universities, and at the level of State and Federal Governments, to address the ongoing problem of sexual assault in university communities. The nature and extent of sexual assault within university communities At present, there is little reliable data on sexual assault prevalence rates at Australian universities, however national statistics show that young women in general are at a significantly greater risk of experiencing sexual assault than any other group of people. Recent media cases and data obtained through FOI investigations indicate that sexual assault and harassment is occurring at concerning rates at Australian universities and colleges. Attitudes which minimise sexual assault, shift blame onto victims or normalise non-consensual activity create a climate in which sexual assault is both more likely to occur, and less likely to be recognised and reported. We note that the perpetrators of sexual assault are overwhelmingly male, reflecting the gendered nature of sexual assault as a crime of power and control. In many instances, rape occurs off campus, in domestic settings such as share-houses, apartments, house parties, and so on. Although many universities restrict their attention to incidents which have occurred on campus, EROC Australia believes that this distinction is artificial. All instances of sexual assault experienced by a student have the potential to affect their ability to study and to participate in the university community regardless of where the assault took place. In this section, we also outline the role of witnesses and responders to acts of sexual assault, including friends of the victim, tutors, Residential Advisors and student representatives. There is an overarching lack of training and support for these supporters, creating a real risk of vicarious trauma. We provide several de-identified case studies from our work, illustrating common responses to sexual assault in university communities. The aftermath of rape: survivor needs in the wake of sexual assault Survivors often have a range of complex needs after experiencing sexual assault. In many cases, these needs are not met by the systems in place at universities for responding to requests for support. Part of the problem is the lack of a holistic approach to supporting survivors. Sexual assault can cause not only psychological and medical issues, but also financial stress, difficulty with academic tasks, the need for legal support, and housing issues, amongst others. In many cases, universities fail to make the connection between these needs and a student's experience of sexual assault. Even whereuniversities do endeavour to provide for some of these needs - for example, by referring students to oncampus counselling services - these services are often inaccessible and not specialised for responding to trauma. In particular, survivors have faced difficulties accessing the support they need with academic tasks, such as extensions or special considerations for assignments, time off from lectures or class, and changes to timetabling arrangements. Strict requirements for particular documentation, or automated systems that frequently reject applications, can cause significant anxiety for survivors. On-campus counselling services pose another problem. These services are often understaffed or underfunded, and many lack counselling staff with trauma specialist training, leading to some survivors receiving improper, and at times dangerous, treatment. Understanding the history and context of responses to sexual assault at Australian universities Sexual assault is not a new issue at Australian universities - student activists have been urging universities to address sexual violence for many decades. However, little progress has been made in improving policies, services and structures for reporting sexual violence. The overarching problem with universities' collective failure to address sexual violence is the conceptualisation of the problem as primarily a private concern or a woman's responsibility. Incidents of sexual assault are treated as rare, disconnected and random, rather than the inevitable product of a social context with deep-rooted and persistent gender inequality. This attitude leads to university campaigns that perpetuate various rape myths - for example, the misleading 'stranger danger' narrative leads to suggestions that better lighting on campus would reduce sexual assault. In many cases, universities seem to believe an adequate response to the prevalence of sexual assault is to publish 'safety tips' that urge women to modify their behaviour to avoid being sexually assaulted and perpetuate the idea that women hold responsibility for their own safety. Notably, such strategies fail to make perpetrators accountable for sexual assault. Universities also tend to conceptualise sexual assault as always, and only, a police matter. Many university websites urge survivors to report their experiences to police. Commonly, survivors are told that the university cannot take action unless the incident has been reported to police, or until a criminal conviction is secured. However, universities do in fact have disciplinary and misconduct procedures, which give university officials the power to investigate student misconduct, make findings, and deliver penalties. These procedures can provide important pathways of restitution for survivors, and can ideally deliver practical outcomes to support a survivor's welfare, such as removing the perpetrator from a class or from campus. Contrary to much university rhetoric, most university decision-making procedures are also supported by longstanding principles of administrative law, which acknowledge and regulate decision-making by nonjudicial bodies and provide protections for both survivors and alleged perpetrators. Barriers and challenges to reporting sexual assault within university communities There are many reasons that survivors may not choose to disclose their assault, whether informally, to friends and family, or formally, to professional support services, to the police or to their university. Barriers to informal reporting include emotional barriers, such as the fear of not being believed, as well as social, cultural, linguistic and structural barriers. There are also many obstacles to formally reporting instances of sexual assault - for example, inaccessible or poorly publicised reporting systems or a lack of trust in institutional procedures. Details: s.l.: End Rape on Campus Australia, 2017. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2018 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/58b3d08ddb29d6e7a2b8271d/1488179368580/Connecting+the+dots.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/58b3d08ddb29d6e7a2b8271d/1488179368580/Connecting+the+dots.pdf Shelf Number: 149314 Keywords: Campus CrimeCampus RapeColleges and UniversitiesRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: National Council on Disability Title: Not on the Radar: Sexual Assault of College Students with Disabilities Summary: Sexual assault can be devastating to victims and cause long term physical, psychological, and emotional effects, including depression, post-traumatic stress, thoughts of suicide, flashbacks, and sleep disorders. The issue of sexual assault on college campuses has received increased attention since the 2007 publication of the federally funded College Sexual Assault study, which found that 19 percent of female undergraduates were victims of sexual assault during their time in college. Another recent federally funded study surveyed 23,000 students across nine colleges and universities and found that the prevalence of sexual assault averaged 21 percent for females across the schools. Neither of these studies included disability status as a demographic and, as such, no data was gathered on the prevalence of sexual assault on students with disabilities. However, a recent large-scale study on campus sexual assault by the Association of American Universities revealed that college students with disabilities were victims of sexual violence at higher rates than students without disabilities - 31.6 percent of undergraduate females with disabilities reported nonconsensual sexual contact involving physical force or incapacitation, compared to 18.4 percent of undergraduate females without a disability. This means one out of every three undergraduate students with a disability was a victim of sexual violence on campus. As campuses across the United States work to prevent assaults, educate students on assault prevention, and provide supports for survivors, little is known about how colleges address the accessibility needs of students with disabilities who have suffered a sexual assault, or about the inclusivity of college programs, services, and policies to victims of assault with disabilities. This study set out to investigate the current state of campus sexual assault programs and policies and uncovered multiple barriers to students with disabilities, from reporting crime to receiving needed assistance afterward. The report includes recommendations for Congress, federal agencies, and colleges to improve reporting requirements, training, and policies and procedures to better serve students with disabilities who have experienced sexual assault on campus. Details: Washington, DC: The Council, 2018. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2018 at: https://ncd.gov/sites/default/files/NCD_Not_on_the_Radar_Accessible_01292018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://ncd.gov/sites/default/files/NCD_Not_on_the_Radar_Accessible_01292018.pdf Shelf Number: 149758 Keywords: Campus CrimeCampus RapeColleges and UniversitiesDisabilitiesDisabled PersonsSexual Assault |
Author: Great Britain. HM Government Title: Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls: A Strategy Summary: 1. Addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a challenge for us all. It remains a key barrier to realising our vision of a society in which women and girls feel safe and confident in their homes and communities. The 'snapshot' data we have from individual studies reveals a shocking picture. In overall terms, around half of all women and girls in England and Wales could recall being victims of violence over their lifetime. - Nearly 1 million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse each year (British Crime Survey (BCS) self-completion questionnaire, 2007/08). - Close to 10,000 women are sexually assaulted every week (BCS self-completion questionnaire, July 2008). - At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence (Department of Health, 2002). 2. VAWG has a significant impact on the criminal justice system (CJS) although many cases never reach the CJS. The effects of VAWG go far wider than the criminal justice consequences, impacting on a wide range of other areas including health, children's services, education and housing. All government departments and local agencies therefore have a role to play. 3. A number of initiatives over the last decade have made a real difference, but many of these have focused only on specific offences. These distinctions can create artificial barriers. For example many women suffer both domestic and sexual abuse in the same relationship. Although the Government has published a number of separate plans in recent years for dealing with different problems, so far these have not been brought together in one place. 4. What is needed therefore is a co-ordinated approach to combating all forms of VAWG. This strategy represents our integrated approach to tackling this problem and supporting its victims across the three key areas of prevention, provision and protection. Details: London: HM Government, 2009. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b13a3472.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b13a3472.pdf Shelf Number: 117121 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: Ward, Cynthia V. Title: Fair Process and Sexual Misconduct on Campus Summary: Pressured by directives from the Obama Administration's Department of Education, colleges and universities across the country scrambled to revamp their processes of adjudicating sexual assault on campus. Critics of the new campus sexual misconduct codes charge that the rules are now unfairly biased against those charged with offenses. Two recent developments - the election of Donald Trump, and the arrival of the #MeToo movement - have substantially shifted the political and social ground upon which the new sex misconduct codes were created. Pressed now from advocates of due process, schools must give careful thought to the question of what fairness means in the context of adjudicating sexual misconduct in the campus setting. In deciding their response, colleges and universities should not reflexively defend misconduct codes which were themselves hastily assembled in response to controversial mandates from the government. Instead, they should acknowledge that sanctions imposed on offenders in these cases operate as punishment, and look to the Criminal Law - the law of individual punishment - as a model for mediating the competing claims of justice which fight for dominance in these cases. Campus sexual assault adjudications are not criminal trials, and criminal procedure cannot be wholly imported into such adjudications. But campus proceedings should be motivated by the core principles - of Harm, Proportionality, and Parsimony - which have produced our social system of punishment. College sexual misconduct codes lack a coherent set of principles upon which to ground the structure of sexual assault adjudications; such principles do ground the criminal process and should serve as a model for other forms of institutional punishment. Details: Williamsburg, VA: William and Mary Law School, 2018. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2018 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3160207 Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3160207 Shelf Number: 150101 Keywords: Campus CrimesCampus Sexual AssaultColleges and UniversitiesSexual Assault |
Author: Andell, Paul Title: Preventing the Violent and Sexual Victimisation of Vulnerable gang-involved and gang-affected children and young people in Ipswich Summary: A Suffolk Constabulary threat assessment initiated in 2014 observed that the supply of Class A Drugs to Ipswich and other Suffolk towns was dominated by street gangs from London. It notes that children and young people from London and Suffolk were involved in 'running' the drugs to end users and that their risk of coming to harm was high. The Police estimated at this point that a small number of young people, frequently recorded as 'missing' from Care or home by the police and Safeguarding authorities, were either known, or suspected, to be working for London-based drug dealing networks. Children and young people reported 'missing' in London had also been found at Suffolk addresses known to be used for drug dealing. The assessment recognised that in the preceding decade there had been an increase in the numbers of boys and young men travelling from London to Ipswich in order to supply Class A drugs and that members of London-based drug-dealing groups had been present in Ipswich throughout this period despite several successful police operations to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of Class A drugs. The assessment suggested that violence, threats and coercion were used routinely by these groups to exert control over vulnerable children and young people and local Class A drug users whose homes were being 'cuckooed'. This kind of violence was evident in other parts of Suffolk where the illicit drug market was saturated and competition between dealers was fierce. Intelligence also suggested that Organised Crime Groups (OCG's) involved in drug dealing were storing weapons at dealing locations and arming 'runners' with knives. In recognition of these problems, in November 2014, representatives of the government's Ending Gangs and Youth Violence (EGYV) programme were invited to undertake a peer review of the effectiveness of local responses and provide a framework for future action. The EGYV review noted that senior leaders in the County had recognized the serious threat posed by the gang problem and that a range of existing multi-agency initiatives had been put in place. It observed that the Ipswich Borough Police Commander had established a GOLD policing strategy and constructed a complementary multi-agency intervention (Operation Volcanic). However it appeared that lack of clarity vis-a-vis roles and responsibilities within the community safety and other partnerships meant there were no obvious mechanisms to effectively identify, address and communicate a way of dealing with gang offending by the partnership. It also noted that, to date, senior leaders did not have a formal or specific role and that responses were largely Police-led and enforcement-based. Details: Ipswich, UK: University of Suffolk, 2017. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 15, 2018 at: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27822/1/Preventing_the_violent_and_sexual_victimisation_of_vulnerable_gang_involved.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/27822/1/Preventing_the_violent_and_sexual_victimisation_of_vulnerable_gang_involved.pdf Shelf Number: 150190 Keywords: Drug DealingDrug ViolenceDrug-Related ViolenceGangsSexual AssaultVictimization |
Author: Cross, Theodore Title: Forensic Evidence and Criminal Justice Outcomes in a Statewide Sample of Sexual Assault Cases Summary: Sexual assault is a heinous crime that as much as a quarter of women nationally experience in their lifetime. Not only do victims suffer the terror and degradation of the assault, but they are further at risk of injury and a range of difficulties with mental health and functioning. Survivors are also at risk of re-victimization from informal and professional responses that question their credibility and in effect blame them for the assault. Only a small proportion of sexual assaults are prosecuted; only a subset of assaults are reported to police, only a portion of those cases reported to police result in arrest, and only small percentage of those arrested are ultimately prosecuted. When prosecution does ensue, enormous demands are placed on victims; they must testify in court about the traumatic events of the crime and face assaults on their credibility both in and outside the courtroom. In this difficult context, investigative methods that increase evidence against assailants while decreasing the burden on victims are especially important, and advances in the technology and expertise of collecting and analyzing injury and forensic evidence offer promise. Victims undergo difficult forensic medical examinations with the hope of contributing evidence that can help bring assailants to justice. The research community has a responsibility to develop a better understanding of how this information is used and actually relates to criminal justice actions. This study explores the role of injury evidence and forensic evidence in sexual assault cases using data from medical providers, crime laboratories and police. The study: - Examines the frequency of injury and biological evidence in sexual assault cases; - Identifies case factors associated with the presence of injury and biological evidence; - Analyzes how often biological evidence is processed prior to versus after arrest; - Explores how injury and biological evidence as well as other factors are related to arrest; and - Examines results for key comparisons thought to be salient for forensic evidence: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners vs. other medical examiners; strangers vs. known suspects; child victims vs. adults and adolescents. Details: Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, 2014. 220p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2018 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/248254.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/248254.pdf Shelf Number: 150411 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationEvidenceForensic EvidenceRapeSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Deschamps, Marie Title: External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces Summary: While problems of sexual harassment and sexual assault are not unique to the CAF- numerous organizations are struggling to address the prevalence of inappropriate sexual conduct,-the time is right for the leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to tackle the issue. Sexual harassment and sexual assault not only harm the victims, but also the integrity, professionalism and efficiency of the CAF as a whole. One of the key findings of the External Review Authority (the ERA) is that there is an underlying sexualized culture in the CAF that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members, and conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault. Cultural change is therefore key. It is not enough to simply revise policies or to repeat the mantra of "zero tolerance". Leaders must acknowledge that sexual misconduct is a real and serious problem for the organization, one that requires their own direct and sustained attention. While cultural change is not an easy enterprise, the CAF has a variety of tools at its disposal including policies, training programs, the disciplinary and military justice system, and victim support services. However, these instruments need to be strengthened if they are to be effective. This Report represents the findings of the ERA's review of the policies, procedures and programs of the CAF relating to inappropriate sexual conduct, and its recommendations for how to best utilize such tools to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the armed forces. Scope and Mandate of the Review The mandate of the ERA was to examine CAF policies, procedures and programs in relation to sexual harassment and sexual assault, including the effectiveness with which these policies are currently being implemented. To carry out this mandate, the ERA conducted a series of confidential interviews with reserve and regular members, from all ranks and environments (Naval, Land, and Air Force, and training), from July to December, 2014. The ERA also interviewed individuals whose work in the CAF relates, in various ways, to the investigation or prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault, or to providing support to victims of such prohibited conduct. These individuals included Commanding Officers, harassment advisors, workplace relation advisors, military police, investigators from the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, representatives of the Judge Advocate General, chaplains, physicians, nurses, social workers, and representatives of support groups, as well as several military researchers. The ERA also met with two civilian organizations, one operating in the law enforcement sector and one commercial corporation, and reviewed information concerning the practices of a number of other armed forces, to examine "best practices" in addressing inappropriate sexual conduct in the workplace. The ERA's consultations were conducted through focus groups, face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews, and were held at various locations, including two naval bases, three land bases, two air bases, two training bases, two military colleges, and on several reserve units sites. In addition, CAF members were informed about the Review on the CAF website and through widely broadcast emails, and were invited to contact the ERA directly through a dedicated, confidential email address. The ERA made itself available to meet with individuals both on and off-base in order to ensure confidentiality and to maximize the participation of interested individuals. Ultimately, over 700 individuals contributed to the Review. Culture of the CAF The military ethos of the CAF is founded on respect for dignity of all persons, a principle that is embodied in CAF policies, which are themselves enforceable through both administrative and disciplinary action. The ERA found a disjunction, however, between the high professional standards established by the CAF's policies on inappropriate sexual conduct, including sexual assault and sexual harassment, and the reality experienced by many members day-to-day. Throughout its consultations, the ERA met with members who appeared genuinely happy with their choice of career, and who found great personal pride and satisfaction in their work for the military. At the same time, however, the ERA's consultations revealed a sexualized environment in the CAF, particularly among recruits and non- commissioned members, characterized by the frequent use of swear words and highly degrading expressions that reference women's bodies, sexual jokes, innuendos, discriminatory comments with respect to the abilities of women, and unwelcome sexual touching. Cumulatively, such conduct creates an environment that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members, and is conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault. Although the most common complaints to the ERA related to this hostile, sexualized environment, the ERA also heard reports of quid pro quo sexual harassment. Some participants further reported instances of sexual assault, including instances of dubious relationships between lower rank women and higher rank men, and date rape. At the most serious extreme, these reports of sexual violence highlighted the use of sex to enforce power relationships and to punish and ostracize a member of a unit. The ERA found that members appear to become inured to this sexualized culture as they move up the ranks. For example, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), both men and women, appear to be generally desensitized to the sexualized culture. Officers tend to excuse incidents of inappropriate conduct on the basis that the CAF is merely a reflection of civilian society. There is also a strong perception that senior NCOs are responsible for imposing a culture where no one speaks up and which functions to deter victims from reporting sexual misconduct. As a result of these attitudes, there is a broadly held perception in the lower ranks that those in the chain of command either condone inappropriate sexual conduct, or are willing to turn a blind-eye to such incidents. Comprehensive cultural change is therefore required, and such change cannot occur without the proactive engagement of senior leaders in the CAF. Senior leaders- particularly those with general oversight responsibilities-need to acknowledge the problem of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the armed forces, clearly state that such misconduct is unacceptable, and adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the sexualized environment and to better integrate women into the military, including by appointing more women to positions of senior leadership. Under-Reporting It was readily apparent throughout the consultations that a large percentage of incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault are not reported. First and foremost, interviewees stated that fear of negative repercussions for career progression, including being removed from the unit, is one of the most important reasons why members do not report such incidents. Victims expressed concern about not being believed, being stigmatized as weak, labeled as a trouble-maker, subjected to retaliation by peers and supervisors, or diagnosed as unfit for work. There is also a strong perception that the complaint process lacks confidentiality. Underlying all of these concerns is a deep mistrust that the chain of command will take such complaints seriously. Members are less likely to be willing to report incidents of sexual harassment and assault in a context in which there is a general perception that it is permissible to objectify women's bodies, make unwelcome and hurtful jokes about sexual interactions with female members, and cast aspersions on the capabilities of female members. That such conduct is generally ignored, or even condoned, by the chain of command prevents many victims from reporting incidents of inappropriate conduct. The ERA heard repeatedly from participants that the only way to increase the frequency of reporting is to create a reporting mechanism outside of the chain of command. Indeed, a number of other military organizations-for example in the United States, Australia and France-have created independent offices to receive reports of sexual misconduct, as well as to provide victim support, conduct training, and track data. Most of these offices allow victims to decide whether or not they wish their complaint to trigger a formal complaint and investigation process. Regardless of which path they choose, however, victims are offered treatment and support. As has been modeled in other countries, and is demanded internally by many of the CAF's own members, the ERA recommends creating a center for accountability for sexual assault and harassment, independent from the CAF, with responsibility for receiving complaints of inappropriate sexual conduct, as well as responsibility for prevention, victim support, data collection, training, and monitoring of case outcomes. Complaint processes should allow victims to choose whether or not they wish their complaint to trigger a formal investigation, but in either case should entitle the victim to receive treatment and support services. Definitions While mere policy change is not, in and of itself, sufficient to reduce the prevalence of inappropriate sexual conduct, policies do constitute a key tool to guide the conduct of CAF members. Unfortunately, the ERA found that the definitions of prohibited conduct in the current policies are deficient. In particular, interviewees expressed confusion about what constitutes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, adverse personal relationship, and fraternization. In the case of sexual harassment in particular, the CAF definition is not only overly-complex, it is also unduly narrow and fails to capture a broad range of inappropriate sexual conduct. The definition of sexual harassment should cover not only individual and quid pro quo harassment, but also unwelcome sexual conduct that contributes to a hostile organizational culture. This includes sexual comments or jokes that are not necessarily addressed to a particular person, but which create a negative sexualized environment. In addition, the definition of sexual harassment should not be limited to incidents that occur in the workplace, given that members generally live, work, and socialize together within organizational structures created by the CAF. The notion of adverse personal relationship is also poorly understood. It is only described in CAF policies by reference to the negative consequences on the unit, and does not specifically address relationships between members in different positions of authority. In view of the inherent power imbalance between members of different rank, however, there should be an administrative presumption of an adverse personal relationship applicable where such relationship has not been disclosed in accordance with the policy. The concept of sexual misconduct is also poorly defined, in large part because the term has a different meaning in the policy than its ordinary meaning in plain language. The term "sexual assault", which is commonly understood by Canadians and is consistent with the Criminal Code, should therefore be used to describe all instances of intentional, non-consensual touching of a sexual nature. The policy should also address the concept of consent and the effect of drugs or alcohol or a power imbalance on the existence of genuine consent in a sexual encounter. Overall, the ERA found that the rules would be more effective if there existed a unified approach to inappropriate sexual conduct containing clear definitions and examples of the prohibited conduct, and which captures the institutional environment in which CAF members live, work and socialize. The policy should be expressed in plain language consistent with the Criminal Code. Processes and Procedures The current processes in place to identify, report, investigate and resolve incidents of sexual harassment are complex and do not yield appropriate results. It is not surprising that an overwhelming number of victims choose not to report an incident at all. In particular, before a complaint of sexual harassment is finally resolved, the parties may have to pursue three separate stages of attempted resolution: a process of alternate dispute resolution (in which the complainant is encouraged to confront the alleged harasser informally), an administrative investigation by the Responsible Officer, and a grievance. This process is overly long and burdensome. Further, the emphasis on the use of self-help techniques and on resolving the complaint at the lowest level is problematic. Victims will generally not be comfortable taking a confrontational position with their harasser, particularly when the harasser was of a higher rank. Moreover, many interviewees who did bring their complaint forward to a supervisor reported that the complaint was not taken seriously. The ERA found that the pressure to settle complaints at the lowest level functions to stifle complaints and intimidate complainants; it has the very opposite effect of a zero tolerance policy. Formal alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is also offered to victims, however the ERA found that these procedures are generally inappropriate in cases of sexual harassment. The ERA also heard that even where complaints of sexual harassment are ultimately held to be well-founded, the resulting sanction was generally perceived as meaningless-a "slap on the wrist" - and ineffective as a deterrent. To simplify the process, the complaint should by-pass the two first stages and commence at the grievance level. The CO, acting as adjudicator, would still have the option of initiating a harassment investigation as part of the grievance procedure. This streamlined process would cut out unnecessary delay and pressures on the victim, and bring the matter to the attention to the CO more rapidly. Although victims could be offered mediation or other ADR techniques, this should only be one of the options available to them. Also, to improve consistency and deterrence, COs should receive guidance as to appropriate sanctions where sexual harassment is found to have occurred. Even more serious problems were reported with respect to the procedures in place to investigate sexual assault. The ERA is particularly concerned by the reports it heard of the lack of appropriate skills demonstrated by the military police. While the ERA met with a number of dedicated members of the military police, many were confused about the relevant policies, insensitive to the problem of sexual assault, lacked training on the basic elements of the offence (including the legal concept of consent), and were unaware of the available resources to support victims. Further, the ERA heard that low- level assaults, and assaults that do not result in physical injury, tend to be ignored, and charges in these cases are often not laid. For these reasons, among others, victims, concerned about how they will be treated by the military justice system, tend not to report sexual assaults. Many of those victims who did report an offence said that their experiences were "atrocious". To rebuild trust in the system, complainants need to be reassured that the CAF is committed to ensuring that their complaints are appropriately investigated. This can be achieved, in part, by allowing the victim to request to have her case transferred to civilian authorities. Finally, the ERA found that very little data is collected by the CAF with respect to the occurrence of either sexual harassment or sexual assault. While the military does have systems in place to track incidents, these tools appear to be used only inconsistently, and most incidents are not reported in any event. As a result, there is very little accountability in the chain of command or the military police as to the outcome of any particular incident, and the CAF lacks relevant information in trying to prevent future incidents from occurring. Programs and External Resources While an impressive number of programs and services appear to be offered to support victims of inappropriate sexual conduct in the CAF, the reality is that many of these services are only available in a few locations, or are inadequate and ineffective. Moreover, many participants indicated that they had no idea what services were available to them, and noted that there is no centralized source of information, such as a comprehensive CAF website, where they can learn about victim support services. Overall, the ERA found that nurses and social workers are the most important resource for victims of inappropriate sexual conduct and, at times, for distressed respondents or accused. The role of nurses and social workers is necessarily limited, however, because they usually only become involved when a victim is seriously distressed and has been referred for medical care. Many victims avoid accessing medical services because of a frequent perception that this could result in a loss of confidentiality. Further, a number of interviewees had had negative experiences when reporting sexual assault to a physician. Finally, while nurses and social workers play an important role in supporting victims, their role is not to act as an advocate or to provide the member with guidance about how to navigate the various legal processes and proceedings. Training Members of the CAF receive mandatory training at regular intervals, including on prohibited sexual conduct. As a practical matter, however, this training does not seem to have any significant impact. A large number of participants reported that the classes are not taken seriously: harassment training is laughed at, the course is too theoretical, and training on harassment gets lost among the other topics covered. Power-point training is dubbed "death by power-point", and training online is severely criticized. A number of interviewees also expressed scepticism about unit-led training: there is a common view that in many cases the trainers were themselves complicit in the prohibited conduct. Participants reported that COs are insufficiently trained and that they are unable to appropriately define, assess and address sexual harassment. Overall, the ERA found that the training currently being provided is failing to inform members about appropriate conduct, or to inculcate an ethical culture in the CAF. Rather, current training lacks credibility and further perpetuates the view that the CAF does not take sexual harassment and assault seriously. Training on inappropriate sexual conduct should be a stand-alone topic and should be carried out by skilled professionals in small groups utilizing interactive techniques. Unit- led training should be limited, and on-line training should only be used for non- commissioned members when accompanied by interactive training. Leaders should also be required to undertake regular training on inappropriate sexual conduct and their responsibilities under the relevant policies. Training for military police should include a focus on victim support, interviewing techniques, and the concept of consent. Physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains would also benefit from increased training on how to support victims of inappropriate sexual conduct. Conclusion: Avenues Going Forward Policy change is a critical tool for the CAF to be able to confront the problem of sexual harassment and sexual assault. However, the challenge for the CAF goes beyond policy revision if it is to effectively address the problem of inappropriate sexual conduct in the military. First, cultural change is key. Without broad-scale cultural reform, policy change is unlikely to be effective. This requires the CAF to address not only more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault, but also low-level sexual harassment, such as the use of sexualized and demeaning language, which contributes to an environment that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members. Second, strong leadership drives reform. The deep, genuine, and concrete commitment of senior leaders is essential to developing programs that will meaningfully impact the organization, as well as to convey a clear message to CAF members that inappropriate sexual conduct will not be tolerated, and to rebuild trust between CAF members and senior leadership. Third, improving the integration of women, including in positions of senior leadership, is necessary to cultural reform. While the broader question of whether women are adequately represented in the CAF falls outside of the mandate of this Review, there is an undeniable link between the existence of a hostile organizational culture that is disrespectful and demeaning to women, and the poor integration of women into the organization. Increasing the representation of women in the CAF, including in the highest positions of senior leadership, is therefore key to changing the culture of the organization. Fourth, the CAF needs to re-build the confidence of members that the organization takes sexual harassment and assault seriously. Establishing an independent agency to receive reports of inappropriate sexual conduct and to provide support to victims, among other things, is an important step in improving processes to address sexual harassment and assault, and will demonstrate to members that the CAF takes the issue of inappropriate sexual conduct seriously. Similarly, allowing victims of sexual assault to request that their complaints be brought to civilian authorities will send a strong signal that the CAF is prioritizing their needs. The willingness of the CAF to take a hard look at its own practices and procedures through this independent review is a measure of the seriousness with which the military takes the problem of inappropriate sexual conduct. It is an indication of a willingness on the part of the CAF to take concrete steps to reduce incidents of sexual harassment and assault, and to create a more inclusive organizational culture that respects the dignity of all its members. Cultural change, improving the integration of women into the organization, rebuilding the trust of members in the chain of command, and reducing the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual assault, will not be easy to achieve. Such goals require strong leadership and sustained commitment. But they are essential to the development of a modern military organization that not only embraces the principle of respect for human dignity, but is also able to optimize on the skills and talents of all its members. The Canadian public expects it, and CAF members deserve it. Details: Ottawa: External Review Authority, 2015. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 10, 2018 at: http://ywcacanada.ca/data/research_docs/00000352.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://ywcacanada.ca/data/research_docs/00000352.pdf Shelf Number: 150807 Keywords: Armed Forces Military Personnel Sexual AssaultSexual Harassment Sexual Misconduct |
Author: McEwen, Celina Title: A guide to evaluating interventions related to violence against women Summary: Evaluation is a standard requirement for most community- based services, programs and projects. Ideally, they are done by evaluators, but often they are done by those delivering the services, who may have little evaluation knowledge and skills. This guide, Evaluating interventions related to violence against women, can be seen as a companion to other evaluation guides. It is a resource for community and health workers, clinicians, as well as educators, activists, policy-makers, academics and others. It is designed to help them evaluate interventions related to violence against women (VAW), so they can use the findings to improve services, secure funding and acknowledge the quality of work delivered by practitioners. This guide also provides information to assist non-professional evaluators with commissioning or assessing evaluation processes and outputs. It explains the importance of understanding the context of evaluation, and determining an organisation's level of "evaluation-readiness". Finally, it seeks to help evaluators with no VAW-specific experience to consider key issues and challenges in evaluating interventions that address issues of domestic and family violence (DFV) and/or sexual assault (SXA). It provides some ideas to help evaluators plan and design evaluations that are ethically robust, culturally sensitive and gender-responsive. Details: Sydney: Australian National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS), 2018. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Insights: Issue 03, 2018: Accessed July 31, 2018 at: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/ANROWS_IN.18.03_McEwen_Guide-to-Evaluating-Interventions-related-to-VAW.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/anrows.org.au/ANROWS_IN.18.03_McEwen_Guide-to-Evaluating-Interventions-related-to-VAW.pdf Shelf Number: 150985 Keywords: Domestic Violence Family Violence Interventions Sexual AssaultViolence Against Women, Girls Violence Prevention |
Author: Houston (Texas). Commission Against Gun Violence Title: Commission Against Gun Violence Proposed Recommendations Summary: Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Commission Against Gun Violence on May 23, 2018 following the tragedies in Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe, Texas, and in recognition of the wider gun violence epidemic tearing across our nation. The Mayor charged the Commission with submitting an initial set of recommendations for review prior to the school year beginning, no later than August 1, 2018. This first set of recommendations was to focus, primarily, on school safety issues. The proposals contained within this document are in accordance with that charge and follow substantial research conducted by the various sub-committees, as well as public testimony and comment. The Chair divided the Commission into seven sub-committees: School Safety; Students SubCommittee; Community Safety; Firearms Safety and Access; Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Community-Based Prevention, Intervention, and Reintegration; and, Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue. These sub-committees cross-coordinated to gather, review, and submit initial recommendations in the following areas: 1. School Safety 2. Firearms Safety and Access 3. Community Safety 4. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault The recommendations offered here, for the most part, address primary and secondary prevention of gun violence in schools. Many of these recommendations are, however, relevant across the entire community and extend beyond the classroom. Details: Houston: The Commission, 2018. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 17, 2018 at: http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/gun-violence-commission-recommendations.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/gun-violence-commission-recommendations.pdf Shelf Number: 151162 Keywords: Domestic Violence Gun Policy Gun Violence Gun-Related Violence School Violence Sexual AssaultViolence Prevention |
Author: Brake, Deborah L. Title: Back to Basics: Excavating the Sex Discrimination Roots of Campus Sexual Assault Summary: It takes some explaining to use the occasion of a symposium honoring the legacy of Pat Summitt, one of the most successful college basketball coaches of all time, to publish an article addressing Title IX's application to campus sexual assault. Neither the coach's record nor the top-shelf program she ran for so many decades calls this topic immediately to mind. And yet, as I reflect on the challenges ahead for Title IX and the continuing struggle for sex equality in higher education, including in university athletic programs, I am struck by how interconnected women's leadership is to a broader set of issues of gender and power, including the sexual objectification and harassment of women. As if we needed a culturally explosive reminder to shock feminism out of a state of apathy, the linkages between gender, power, and leadership were on full display in the bitterly divisive presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Social practices that objectify and subordinate women, and their consequences for women's access to leadership, figured prominently throughout the campaign. This article explores the connections between sexual assault, harassment, objectification, and the challenges facing women in leadership against the backdrop of Title IX. It argues that Title IX's application to sexual harassment, including sexual assault, is an essential part of the law's broader agenda of opening the paths to leadership on an equal basis. More particularly, it seeks to ground the Title IX administrative framework that has emerged for addressing campus sexual assault in the statutory prohibition of sex-based discrimination. Without such a reckoning, the Title IX obligations on universities enforced during the Obama Administration are vulnerable to unilateral rollback by the new Trump Administration. This article begins the project of strengthening the sex discrimination roots of the Title IX framework for campus sexual assault and calls for further work linking the particular obligations the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has imposed on educational institutions to the statutory mandate against sex discrimination. Part I sketches some linkages between liberal feminism's goal of expanding women's access to leadership and the dominance feminist agenda of resisting the sexual subordination of women. It argues that these two strands of feminist legal theory are not alternatives to each other, but are complementary and mutually reinforcing in their shared goal of dislodging the social practices that keep women from power. Ironically, perhaps, the gender inequality that sits at the root of sexual assault as a social practice has been lost in the weeds of the controversies surrounding the specific procedures institutions are required to use in responding to sexual assault complaints. Part II details the gender-blind narratives that are ascendant in the discourse surrounding campus sexual assault and argues that they function to obscure the gendered reality, and the gender inequality, of campus sexual assault. Part III explains the Title IX framework that courts and the OCR have developed for handling sexual assault. It traces the evolution of this legal framework from the statute's broad, general ban on sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds to the more particular obligations now placed on educational institutions to follow specific practices in addressing campus sexual assault allegations. Although OCR has acted consistently with the role of an enforcing agency by filling in the gaps of Title IX's broad anti-discrimination mandate, I argue that neither the courts nor the agency has fully explained, in a persuasive way, how the emerging Title IX framework is connected to the statute's ban on sex-based discrimination. Part IV begins the work of grounding the specific obligations placed on educational institutions in the statute's discrimination ban. Sexual assault is a social practice rooted in, and reinforcing of, gender inequality. It is not merely the gender of the typical perpetrator and victim (although sexual assault is overwhelmingly a practice engaged in by men and experienced by women and gender minorities, including LGBTQ persons), but the gender inequality in sexual relations on campus that situates sexual assault as a sexually subordinating practice. Most importantly for the legitimacy of the Title IX framework, institutional cultures and institutions' own practices in responding to sexual assault contribute to the campus cultures that reinforce and facilitate sexual assault as a sexually subordinating practice. Institutional responses to sexual assault, and not just sexual assault itself, are deeply gendered and embedded in gender inequality. The very rape myths and peer norms that underlie sexual assault as a social practice also find purchase in the common responses that excuse and minimize sexual assault when it occurs. Without the kinds of specific obligations the Title IX framework places on institutions for handling sexual assault charges, gender scripts and rape myths would have full rein to undermine complainants' credibility and mitigate empathy for their experiences of harm. This article seeks to begin a conversation about whether and how the specific obligations on universities for responding to sexual assault are grounded in the statute's mandate for ending sex-based discrimination on campus. That work remains vital if Title IX is to fulfill its promise of dislodging the gender practices that block women's pathways to power and leadership. Details: Pittsburgh, 2018. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2018 at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1101&context=rgsj Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1101&context=rgsj Shelf Number: 151582 Keywords: Campus CrimeGender IssuesSex DiscriminationSexual Assault |
Author: Awad, Jasmine Title: Is It Enough? the Implementation of PREA's Youthful Inmate Standard Summary: This September marks the 15th Anniversary of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), a federal law enacted to address the problem of sexual assault and rape in U.S. detention centers, jails, lock ups, and prisons. Regulations for the law specifically address one of the most vulnerable populations in adult jails and prisons: youth under age 18. PREA's Youthful Inmate Standard was developed to create a minimum standard that protects youth in adult facilities from being raped or sexually assaulted by requiring that youth are held in housing where they are sight and sound separated from adults. The standard also requires supervision when youth are outside of housing units with incarcerated adults. The challenges associated with keeping youth sight and sound separated under the standard has helped contribute to a growing number of state legislatures passing bills to create a presumption or a requirement that youth under 18 are held in juvenile placements even when they are prosecuted as adults. However, for the youth who remain in adult facilities, there are ongoing limitations associated with implementation of the law. In light of the 15th Anniversary of PREA, the Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) reviewed over 800 audits of adult correctional facilities to identify how the facilities are complying with the Youthful Inmate Standard. The key findings of that review, will be released in a forthcoming brief entitled Is It Enough: The Implementation of PREA's Youthful Inmate Standard. These findings include the following: Most states do not collect or publish PREA audits for local jails, which is where most youth tried as adults are likely to be held. Only 81 adult facilities with publicly available PREA audits previously held, currently hold, or have the capacity to hold youth in the future. Of the 81, only 6 exceeded the PREA Youthful Inmate Standard. Out of the audits reviewed, the two facilities that did not meet the Youthful Inmate Standard were two jails in Texas where 17-year-olds are still automatically treated as adults in the criminal justice system. The adult facilities that exceeded the Youthful Inmate Standard most often held youth under 18 in separate units or separate buildings from adults. After examining the PREA audits, CFYJ found that generally even facilities that exceeded the Youthful Inmate Standard were providing basic necessities that could be better provided in a juvenile facility where youth would have greater access to educational and vocational programs. Compliance with the Youthful Inmate Standard, is costly for many states, especially as states struggle to retain qualified correctional officers to staff these facilities. As a result, a growing number of states and localities are finding alternatives to adult facilities for youth. The number of youth in adult jails on any given night has declined by over 50 percent from 2000 to 2016 according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. While PREA's Youthful Inmate Standard was a step in the right direction, when it comes to providing youth what they need to develop into productive adults, it's not nearly enough. For many young people who remain in adult jails, compliance with the standard has resulted in prolonged solitary confinement, and continued threats to their physical safety. To ensure safety and rehabilitation, youth should not be held in places that were not designed or programmed with them in mind. Details: Washington, DC: Campaign for youth Justice, 2018. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 16, 2018 at: http://www.campaignforyouthjustice.org/images/nationalreports/Issue_Brief___Is_It_Enough__The_Implementation_of_PREAs_Youthful_Inmate_Standard_FINAL.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://www.campaignforyouthjustice.org/images/nationalreports/Issue_Brief___Is_It_Enough__The_Implementation_of_PREAs_Youthful_Inmate_Standard_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 152962 Keywords: Juvenile InmatesPrison RapeSexual AssaultYouth in Adult Prisons |
Author: Plan International Title: Unsafe in the City: Sydney Summary: Free to Be is a crowd-mapping website that enables young women to identify and share the location of public spaces that make them feel uneasy and scared or happy and safe, implemented in Sydney in April-May 2018. It was designed in collaboration with Crowdspot, Monash University XYX Lab and young women within the city. Based on Plan International's extensive experience of working with girls and young women in cities through our Safer Cities programme, the research sought to understand more about the experiences of girls and young women. As well as Sydney, Free to Be has been implemented in Delhi, Kampala, Lima, Madrid and Melbourne. The Free to Be tool comprised an interactive map of the city and a survey which allowed girls and young women to drop 'pins' on the map - good or bad - and answer questions about their experiences there, as well as leave comments. A group of young women in Sydney were involved in the design and promotion of the tool, as well as having an opportunity to reflect on the findings to support analysis. In total, 2,083 pins were dropped on spots of the Sydney map, of which 25% denoted good experiences (516) and 75% bad (1,567). Good places were characterised by being busy, often with working people. This was closely followed by the place having a good 'community environment' or being well known to the participant. The threat of sexual harassment with and without physical contact was the main issue identified in connection with bad pins. Over two-thirds of the comments on bad pins included sexual harassment of some kind and 63% of all the pins identified gender-based discrimination as a factor. Discrimination based on ethnicity was identified in 10% of the pins (the highest of all the cities), usually alongside gender discrimination, highlighting the intersectional nature of discrimination and harassment in Sydney. On the street was the most likely location for bad pins, often alongside to/from work or school and public transport. Strong negative clusters tended to form around train stations and bus interchanges. These data demonstrate the compromised freedom for young women and girls moving around their city. Harassment directed at young women and girls, and especially those of the LGBTIQA community, is apparently exacerbated by the lockout laws in Sydney, and the lack of public transport available at corresponding hours. This indicates the complexity of access to, and safety in, the city - an intervention brought in to protect one part of the community increased the pressure on others. Women and girls change their behaviour in response to these challenges: nearly half of those recording bad pins (47%) avoided the area if they were alone and 12% simply never went back to the location. When asked how they responded to bad incidents, 20 participants reported that they stopped studying or quit their job because of their experiences. For more than a third of all the pins (36%), young women were resigned to the fact that such incidents are so frequent that they are used to it. Consequently, they take their own precautions such as walking fast through such areas with their phones at the ready. Reporting of events to the authorities was low at 9%, and in more than two-thirds of these cases (69%), the authorities apparently did nothing. Based on these findings, young women in Sydney made the following recommendations: 1) Behaviour change: - Changing the blame culture: listen to and act upon the stories of women and girls - Challenging toxic masculinity - Allies and bystanders: empowering them to call out harassment and intervene safely 2) Girls' participation in decision-making: listen to and work with girls and young women, respect their experiences and recommendations, and involve them in co-designing their cities. 3) Enforcement and accountability: - Strengthening reporting mechanisms - Improving the responsiveness of security services and the police - Clarification of laws and enforcement regarding street harassment Details: Melbourne: Plan International, 2018. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2018 at: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf Shelf Number: 153246 Keywords: Crime AnalysisCrime HotspotsCrime MappingFear of CrimePublic SafetySexual AssaultSexual HarassmentViolence Against Women |
Author: Webster, Kim Title: Australians' Attitudes to Violence Against Women and Gender Equality: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey (NCAS) Summary: This report presents the findings of the 2017 National Community Attitudes Survey Towards Violence Against Women (NCAS) survey, and considers them in the context of other related research. The NCAS survey aims to monitor people's understanding of, and attitudes towards, violence against women, including their attitudes towards gender equality, what influences their attitudes, and whether they are prepared to intervene when witnessing abuse or disrespect towards women. The 2017 survey was conducted with a representative sample of 17,500 Australians aged 16 years and over, and has been previously held in 1995, 2009, and 2013. Overall, most participants have accurate knowledge of violence against women and do not endorse this violence, and most support gender equality. However, a significant number believe that women make up sexual assault accusations to get back at men and that gender inequality is exaggerated or no longer a problem. Sections include: About the Survey; The need for action to reduce and prevent violence against women; Why measure knowledge, attitudes and intentions?; About the 2017 questionnaire; Analysing and reporting the results; Benchmarking knowledge and understanding of violence against women; Benchmarking attitudes towards gender equality; Benchmarking attitudes to violence against women; Knowledge and attitudes among people and in places; Knowledge and attitudes in social contexts and occupations; Factors influencing knowledge and attitudes; Intended responses to violence against women; Key findings in Australian states and territories; Strengths and limitations of the NCAS; Discussion of findings and implications for policy, practice and further research. Separate reports for the samples of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, and young people will be published separately; and the methodology is explained in greater detail in a separate report. Details: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Australia 's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, 2018. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 18, 2018 at: https://ncas.anrows.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NCAS-report-2018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2018/11/apo-nid207046-1247461.pdf Shelf Number: 154038 Keywords: AboriginesAustraliaGender Based ViolenceGender InequalityNational Community Attitudes Survey Towards ViolenSexual AssaultViolence Against Women |
Author: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Title: Consultation Paper: Criminal Justice Summary: The importance of a criminal justice response Criminal justice for victims In Chapter 2, we discuss the importance of a criminal justice response for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Criminal justice involves the interests of the entire community in the detection and punishment of crime in general, in addition to the personal interests of the victim or survivor of the particular crime. Survivors have told us of a variety of responses they have sought from the criminal justice system, and they have expressed a range of views on what they would have regarded as 'justice' for a criminal justice response. We recognise that a criminal justice response is important to survivors not only in seeking 'justice' for them personally but also in encouraging reporting of child sexual abuse and preventing child sexual abuse in the future. Past and future criminal justice responses In private sessions and in personal submissions in response to Issues Paper No 8 Experiences of police and prosecution responses (Issues Paper 8), we have heard accounts from survivors of their experiences with police, particularly from the 1940s onwards, and of their experiences with prosecutions from the 1970s and 1980s onwards. Survivors have told us of both positive and negative experiences with police and prosecution responses. In general terms, many of the negative experiences we have been told about were experienced in earlier periods of time through to the early 2000s. In our policy work on criminal justice responses, our main focus must be on understanding the contemporary response of the criminal justice system to institutional child sexual abuse and on identifying how it can be made more effective. Criminal justice and institutional child sexual abuse The criminal justice system is often seen as not being effective in responding to crimes of sexual violence, including adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse, both institutional and noninstitutional. Research identifies the following features of the criminal justice system's treatment of these crimes: - lower reporting rates - higher attrition rates - lower charging and prosecution rates - fewer guilty pleas - fewer convictions. There are also features of institutional child sexual abuse cases that may affect the ability of the criminal justice system to respond effectively to these cases. These include: - 'word against word' cases, where there are no eyewitnesses to the abuse and no medical or scientific evidence - the importance of the complainant being willing to proceed, particularly where their evidence is the only direct evidence of the abuse - lengthy delays, where many survivors take years, even decades, to disclose their abuse. This can make investigation and prosecution more difficult - particularly vulnerable victims may be involved, including young children or people with disability. There are also many myths and misconceptions about sexual offences, including child sexual abuse, that have affected the criminal justice system's responses to child sexual abuse prosecutions. The myths and misconceptions have influenced the law and the attitudes jury members bring to their decision-making. The following myths and misconceptions have been particularly prominent in child sexual abuse cases: - women and children make up stories of sexual assault - a victim of sexual abuse will cry for help and attempt to escape their abuser that is, there will be no delay in reporting abuse and a 'real' victim will raise a 'hue and cry' as soon as they are abused - a victim of sexual abuse will avoid the abuser that is, a 'real' victim will not return to the abuser or spend time with them or have mixed feelings about them - sexual assault, including child sexual assault, can be detected by a medical examination that is, there will be medical evidence of the abuse in the case of 'real' victims. Operation of the criminal justice system There has been much academic debate about what might be said to be the purposes of the criminal justice system. In addition to the purpose of punishing the particular offender, the criminal justice system also seeks to reduce crime by deterring others from offending. The criminal justice systems in Australian jurisdictions function through an 'adversarial' system of justice, where the prosecution (representing the Crown) and the defence (representing the accused) each put forward their case and any evidence in relation to whether the act was committed, by whom, and with what intent. Theoretically, this 'contest between the parties' is designed to produce the most compelling argument as to what the truth of the matter is. Given that the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters is undertaken by the state, there is seen to be an imbalance between the prosecution and the accused. In recognition of this imbalance, a number of principles have emerged through the development of the common law to ensure that trials are conducted fairly. These include the following: - The prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused committed the crime or crimes charged. The corollary of this principle is that the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. - The accused has a right to silence. This means that the accused cannot be compelled to give evidence or confess guilt. - The criminal trial should be conducted without unreasonable delay. - The accused has the right to examine witnesses in order to test the credibility of the witness and their testimony. - The prosecution is obliged to act independently and impartially and to conduct the case fairly. - If an accused is charged with a serious offence and lacks the financial means to engage legal representation, he or she should be provided with a lawyer. Many survivors have told us that they feel that the criminal justice system is weighted in favour of the accused. Some survivors who have participated as complainants in prosecutions have told us that they felt almost incidental to the criminal justice system and that they had little control over matters that were very important to them. Recognition of victims has increased over the last 50 years. States and territories introduced victims' compensation schemes from 1967 onwards. In the 1990s, emphasis shifted towards providing greater support services for victims. Victim impact statements were also introduced, and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) guidelines required prosecutors to consult with victims. In 2013, Australia's Attorneys-General endorsed the National Framework for Rights and Services for Victims of Crime. Other responses to institutional child sexual abuse A number of stakeholders have argued that the Royal Commission should consider the use of restorative justice approaches (involving a range of processes to address the harm caused to victims) in connection with, or instead of, traditional criminal justice responses to institutional child sexual abuse. It appears that restorative justice may not be available for or of assistance to many survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, including: - because of the power dynamics and seriousness of institutional child sexual abuse offending, restorative justice approaches may only be suitable in only a small number of these cases. - many survivors do not wish to seek a restorative justice outcome with the perpetrator of the abuse - given the frequent delay before reporting, many offenders will be unavailable or unwilling to participate in restorative justice approaches. The Royal Commission provided for elements of restorative justice approaches in institutional child sexual abuse through the 'direct personal response' component of redress. The recommendations we made in our Report on redress and civil litigation (2015) are not intended as an alternative to criminal justice for survivors. Ideally, victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse should have access to justice through both criminal justice responses and redress and civil litigation. Some survivors have also told us that they found real benefit in state and territory statutory victims of crime compensation schemes because the decisions made by the relevant tribunals or administrators gave them official recognition of the crimes committed against them. Our approach to criminal justice reforms It must be recognised that the criminal justice system is unlikely ever to provide an easy or straightforward experience for a complainant of institutional child sexual abuse. However, we consider it important that survivors seek and obtain a criminal justice response to any child sexual abuse in an institutional context in order to: - punish the offender for their wrongdoing and recognise the harm done to the victim - identify and condemn the abuse as a crime against the victim and the broader community - emphasise that abuse is not just a private matter between the perpetrator and the victim - increase awareness of the occurrence of child sexual abuse through the reporting of charges, prosecutions and convictions - deter further child sexual abuse, including through the increased risk of discovery and detection. We also consider that seeking a criminal justice response to institutional child sexual abuse is an important way of increasing institutions', governments' and the community's knowledge and awareness not only that such abuse happens but also of the circumstances in which it happens. We consider that all victims and survivors should be encouraged and supported to seek a criminal justice response and that the criminal justice system should not discourage victims and survivors from seeking a criminal justice response through reporting to police. We are satisfied that any necessary reforms should be made to ensure that: - criminal justice responses are available for victims and survivors who are able to seek them - victims and survivors are supported in seeking criminal justice responses - the criminal justice system operates in the interests of seeking justice for society, including the complainant and the accused. Regulatory responses to child sexual abuse However, it is unrealistic to expect that all true allegations of institutional child sexual abuse will result in a criminal conviction of the accused, even if the criminal justice system is reformed to achieve these objectives. We recognise the importance of ensuring that regulatory responses focusing on child protection can interact effectively with criminal justice responses, particularly in cases where there is no criminal conviction. These regulatory responses include reportable conduct schemes, Working with Children Check schemes and industry regulation. Details: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 709p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 20, 2019 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/consultation-papers Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Consultation%20Paper%20-%20Criminal%20justice.pdf Shelf Number: 154273 Keywords: AbuserAustraliaChild AbuseChild Sexual AbuseDirector of Public ProsecutionsInstitutional ResponseNational Framework for Rights and Services for VicRestorative JusticeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceSurvivorsTestimonyVictim |
Author: Powell, Anastasia Title: Review of bystander approaches in support of preventing violence against women Summary: There has been a significant focus within recent Australian government and policy debates on the role of primary prevention to address violence against women; in particular, sexual and intimate partner violence. In 2007 VicHealth published Preventing violence before it occurs: A framework and background paper to guide the primary prevention of violence against women in Victoria In 2009 the then State Government of Victoria launched (VicHealth 2007). Drawing on an international evidence-base, this document set out the conceptual framework for the prevention of violence against women (henceforth referred to as the 'VicHealth framework') as well as the strategic directions and priority actions for state government policy. In particular, the VicHealth framework identified the social determinants of violence against women - such as unequal power relations between women and men, and social norms that reinforce this - and provided a roadmap for program and policy activity to address these determinants effectively. A Right to Respect: Victoria's Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women 2010-2020 (State Government of Victoria 2009). This 10-year plan set out a statewide strategy to enable the primary prevention of violence against women across settings and communities. At the federal level, in 2009 the Australian government released Time for Action, the National Council's Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009b). Time for Action Together these documents provide a high-level framework for the prevention of violence against women by identifying effective and promising strategies, priority areas, as well as population groups and sites. In turn, this local focus on preventing violence against women draws on a global context in which the United Nations (e.g. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and the World Health Organization (WHO 2002; 2004) have provided significant leadership as well as specific guidance on how to 'do' prevention work (see WHO 2004). proposed a 12-year national strategy for primary prevention and also further reform of the response and intervention systems for family violence and sexual assault. In 2011 the Council of Australian Governments launched the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children to drive activity in six outcome areas, including primary prevention and respectful relationships (Commonwealth of Australia 2011) Tertiary responses to violence against women, such as legal penalties for perpetrators and support services for victims, continue to play a crucial role in society's overall response to violence against women. However, in the context of continuing rates of victimisation and low reporting of violence to police, such responses are not in of themselves enough to stop violence against women continuing to occur. For example, in the most recent Australian Personal Safety Survey, 40 per cent of women reported experiencing at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 15, and while men who experience violence are most likely to be assaulted by a stranger, women continue to be most likely assaulted by a current or former partner or family member (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006). These findings reflect those in earlier research which indicated that more than a third of Australian women surveyed have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, most often at the hands of a current or former intimate partner (Mouzos & Makkai 2004; Australian Bureau of Statistics 1996). Moreover, such research also indicates that approximately 80 per cent never report their experience of violence to police (Mouzos & Makkai 2004; Australian Bureau of Statistics 1996). In addition to the direct impacts of violence on women, children and families, there are also serious social costs of violence against women for the broader Australian community. For example, research commissioned by VicHealth (2004) found that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44 years, contributing more to ill-health than other risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Furthermore, the annual cost of domestic violence to the Australian economy has been estimated to be $13.6 billion including: health-related costs, lost productivity, legal system expenditure, provision of emergency accommodation and other costs (National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children 2009a). In sum, the problem of violence against women is far too prevalent and its effects on individuals and communities far too serious to limit responses to those taking place only after violence has occurred (WHO 2002).... Details: Carlton, Victoria, AUS: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), 2011. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 30, 2019 at: http://www.ncdsv.org/images/VicHealth_ReviewBystanderApproachesSupportPreventingVAW_5-2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ncdsv.org/images/VicHealth_ReviewBystanderApproachesSupportPreventingVAW_5-2011.pdf Shelf Number: 154461 Keywords: Bystander InterventionDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultViolence Against Women (Australia)Violence Prevention |
Author: Kettrey, Heather Hensman Title: Effects of bystander programs on the prevention of sexual assault among adolescents and college students: a systematic review Summary: Sexual assault among adolescents and college students Sexual assault is a significant problem among adolescents and college students in the United States and globally. Findings from the Campus Sexual Assault study estimated that 15.9% of college women had experienced attempted or completed sexual assault (i.e., unwanted sexual contact that could include sexual touching, oral sex, intercourse, anal sex, or penetration with a finger or object) prior to entering college and 19% had experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college (Krebs, Lindquist, Warner, Fisher, & Martin, 2009). Similar rates have been reported in Australia (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2017), Chile (Lehrer, Lehrer, & Koss, 2013), China (Su, Hao, Huang, Xiao, & Tao, 2011), Finland (Bjorklund, Hakkanen-Nyholm, Huttunen, & Kunttu, 2010), Poland (Tomaszewska & Krahe, 2015), Rwanda (Van Decraen, Michielsen, Herbots, Rossem, & Temmerman, 2012), Spain (Vazquez, Torres, Otero, 2012) and in a global survey of countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2016). The bystander approach -- One promising strategy for preventing sexual assault among adolescents and young adults is the implementation of bystander programs, which encourage young people to intervene when witnessing incidents or warning signs of sexual assault. Bystander programs seek to sensitize young people to warning signs of sexual assault, create attitudinal changes that foster bystander responsibility for intervening (e.g., creating empathy for victims), and build requisite skills and knowledge of tactics for taking action (Banyard, 2011; Banyard, Plante, & Moynihan, 2004; Burn, 2009; McMahon & Banyard, 2012). Many of these programs are implemented with large groups of adolescents or college students in the format of a single training/education session (e.g., as part of college orientation). However, some programs use broader implementation strategies, such as advertising campaigns that post signs across college campuses to encourage students to act when witnessing signs of violence. By treating young people as potential allies in preventing sexual assault, bystander programs have the capacity to be less threatening than traditional sexual assault prevention programs, which tend to address young people as either potential perpetrators or victims of sexual violence (Burn, 2009; Messner, 2015; [Jackson] Katz, 1995). Instead of placing emphasis on how young people may modify their individual behavior to either respect the sexual boundaries of others or reduce their personal risk for being sexually assaulted, bystander programs aim to foster prerequisite knowledge and skills for intervening on behalf of potential victims. Thus, by treating young people as part of the solution to sexual assault, rather than part of the problem, bystander programs may limit the risk of defensiveness or backlash among participants (e.g., decreased empathy for victims, increased rape myth acceptance) (Banyard et al., 2004; Katz, 1995). Objectives The overall objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine what effects bystander programs have on preventing sexual assault among adolescents and college students. More specifically, this review addressed three objectives. 1. The first objective was to assess the overall effects (including adverse effects), and the variability of the effects, of bystander programs on adolescents' and college students' attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual assault. 2. The second objective was to explore the comparative effectiveness of bystander programs for different profiles of participants (e.g., mean age of the sample, education level of the sample, proportion of males/females in the sample, proportion of fraternity/sorority members in the sample, proportion of athletic team members in the sample). 3. The third objective was to explore the comparative effectiveness of different bystander programs in terms of gendered content and approach (e.g., conceptualizing sexual assault as a gendered or gender-neutral problem, mixed- or single-sex group implementation). Details: Oslo: Campbell Collaboration, 2019. 159p. Source: Internet Resource: Campbell Systematic Reviews 2019:1: Accessed February 13, 2019 at: https://campbellcollaboration.org/library/bystander-programs-sexual-assault-adolescents-college-students.html Year: 2019 Country: International URL: https://campbellcollaboration.org/library/bystander-programs-sexual-assault-adolescents-college-students.html Shelf Number: 154551 Keywords: Bystander InterventionsCampus CrimesCampus RapeRapeSexual Assault |
Author: Norton, Emma Title: Military Justice: Second-Rate Justice. Criminal justice, complaints and human rights myths in the armed forces Summary: Liberty has today published a comprehensive report on the military justice system, revealing that UK service men and women continue to be badly failed by the Armed Forces' in-house policing and legal systems, especially where rape and other serious offences are concerned. The new report has led Liberty to today launch the first-ever Armed Forces Human Rights Helpline, designed to offer free, independent legal advice to all current and former serving men and women and their families. CRIMINAL JUSTICE The report, "Second-Rate Justice", details significant flaws in the way the Armed Forces deal with some of the most sensitive and serious criminal cases involving service personnel. It damningly highlights the military's deep-rooted preference for its own internal and inadequate Service Justice System (SJS) - which includes the Service Police, the military's own police forces consisting of the Royal Military Police, Royal Naval Police and the RAF Police - and its hostility to outside scrutiny from more experienced civilian police and prosecutors. Despite the fact that the civilian justice system should take priority over the military system, the report demonstrates that this is not happening and paints a picture of a 'boys' club' approach to justice in the Armed Forces that prevents the impartial and effective investigation of some of the most serious cases. It details how: The Service Police are taking charge of investigations into alleged sexual offences including rapes, even though the legal presumption is that these should be dealt with by civilian police. In 2017 alone, 123 investigations were carried out by the Royal Military Police. Liberty believes that the majority of these should have been dealt with by the civilian police because they happened in the UK. Shockingly, a previous recommendation from Liberty that allegations of rape should always be investigated by civilian police has still not been acted upon. Some offences appear to be being downgraded to less serious offences, so that they can be dealt with internally and not go to court at all. For example, an allegation of sexual assault - which must be referred to the Service Police - may be reduced to battery which a Commanding Officer can deal with him/herself without referring it to the police at all. This practice must stop. The Ministry of Defence's inadequate methods of recording sexual crimes, and the downgrading of serious crimes to lesser offences, mean that the real scale of sexual offending in the Armed Forces is likely to be significantly higher than MoD statistics indicate. For example, the government department continues to refuse to record or publish any data at all about such serious sexual offences as creating or possessing indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornographic images, revenge porn offences, sexual communications with a child or criminal harassment offences. For the sake of accuracy, transparency and public confidence, data on the prevalence of these offences ought to be recorded and published. Conviction rates for rape in the military are even lower than civilian rates - which are already far too low. In 2017, just two of the 48 rape cases that made it to Court Martial resulted in a conviction. The new report makes 21 important recommendations which would ensure service personnel enjoy the same rights and protections as civilians. They include: Ensuring all serious criminal offences in the UK are investigated by civilian, not Service Police. Combining the three branches of the Service Police into a single force and embed them in civilian forces so that, when they must deploy abroad, they are sufficiently experienced, trained and supervised. Bringing the Service Police under the oversight of an independent expert supervisory body. Ensuring the independent Service Complaints Ombudsman is involved in serious cases of bullying, sexual harassment or racial or other discrimination at an early stage with her own fully-funded independent powers of investigation. Details: London: Liberty, 2019. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 6, 2019 at: https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/sites/default/files/LIB%2010%20Military%20Justice%20Report%2020_01_19.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/sites/default/files/LIB%2010%20Military%20Justice%20Report%2020_01_19.pdf Shelf Number: 154829 Keywords: Armed ForcesHuman Rights AbusesMilitary JusticeSex CrimesSexual Assault |
Author: Quigg, Zara Title: STOP-SV: a training programme to prevent nightlife-related sexual violence (Evaluation Report) Summary: Globally, sexual violence is a key public health issue, placing large burdens on individuals' health and well-being, local communities and services. Accordingly, preventing sexual violence and associated risk factors are key targets in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) . Efforts to understand, prevent and respond to sexual violence have increased in recent decades. Importantly, studies have started to emerge highlighting nightlife environments as key settings for sexual violence, and critically the importance of developing and implementing prevention strategies in these settings. However, few prevention strategies exist that specifically aim to address nightlife related sexual violence. As part of the European Union Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme, in 2016 the STOPSV (staff training on prevention of sexual violence) project was established with partners from the Czech Republic (Charles University), Portugal (IREFREA), Spain (IREFREA) and the United Kingdom (UK; Liverpool John Moores University). The primary aim of STOP-SV is to support the prevention of nightlife related sexual violence, through: 1. Mobilising local communities and developing community coalitions to work together to prevent nightlife related sexual violence; 2. Providing local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to train nightlife staff (e.g. servers, security) so that they can recognise and effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence in nightlife; and, 3. Training nightlife workers so that they can recognise and effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence in nightlife. Based on existing literature on nightlife related sexual violence, and programmes that aim to prevent and respond to sexual violence through bystander intervention, the project developed a new pilot training programme for nightlife workers. In 2017/18, STOP-SV project partners from three pilot site countries (Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain) identified and tutored local stakeholders (i.e. training facilitators; Czech Republic n=5; Portugal n=11; Spain n=12, Appendix 1) to implement the STOP-SV training programme with nightlife workers in their respective countries. Subsequently, training facilitators implemented a training session with 114 nightlife workers (i.e. trainees; Czech Republic n=70; Portugal n=26; Spain n=18). A research study was conducted to evaluate the implementation and impact of the pilot STOP-SV training programme. The core objectives were to explore: The views of project partners, training facilitators and trainees of the STOP-SV training programme (following the piloting); and, The associated impact of the STOP-SV pilot training programme on nightlife workers': - Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of sexual violence; and, - Confidence in intervening in sexual violence in nightlife settings. In addition, the study sought to explore nightlife workers': Experience of identifying vulnerable patrons and/or sexual violence in nightlife settings; and, Personal experience of sexual violence in nightlife settings. Details: Liverpool: Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2019 at: https://phi.ljmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/STOP-SV-a-training-programme-to-prevent-nightlife-related-sexual-violence-evaluation-report.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Europe URL: https://phi.ljmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/STOP-SV-a-training-programme-to-prevent-nightlife-related-sexual-violence-evaluation-report.pdf Shelf Number: 154940 Keywords: Alcohol-Related Crime, ViolenceBystander InterventionNight-time EconomyPublic Health IssueRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence prevention |
Author: Karsna, Kairika Title: Improving Understanding of the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse: Characteristics and Experiences of Children and Young People Attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Greater Manchester Summary: This report brings together evidence collected from the case files of children and young people aged 0-17 attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Greater Manchester for a forensic medical examination following disclosure or suspicion of sexual abuse. The data relates to all 986 forensic medical examinations of under-18s living in the Greater Manchester area who accessed the service between April 2012 and March 2015. Data was retrospectively extracted from the paper case file of each 'service user', including background and demographic data about them, the route by which they were referred to the SARC, the nature of the child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to have taken place, and the people suspected of committing it. The choice of data extracted was based on the 'data collection template', a core dataset developed by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) to standardise and improve agencies' recording of data about CSA. This case study formed part of the pilot of the data collection template; its aim was to explore the value and practicability for agencies of collecting core data systematically about the nature of CSA, the people involved in and affected by it, and associated services. Although the data here was collected from existing records, the study serves to demonstrate what other agencies could collect and report if they adopted the data collection template as part of routine practice. Established in 1986, Saint Mary's SARC is the UK's largest single-centre SARC. It was the first of its kind, developed to provide high-quality medical examinations in a designated and specialised space for men, women and children who had experienced sexual assault. The findings generated through the study have wider relevance because they represent the experiences of a large number of children for whom there were concerns about sexual abuse. It is important to emphasise, however, that they are not representative of CSA in other settings or locations. The vast majority of victims of CSA do not disclose their abuse and are not identified by professionals, and many of those who are identified do not attend a SARC. Furthermore, medical examinations of children at a SARC are provided following disclosure or suspicion of contact sexual abuse; experiences of non-contact CSA are, therefore, not represented in the study. Details: S.L.: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2019. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/ Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/st-marys-case-file-review/ Shelf Number: 156127 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultVictim AssistanceVictim ServicesVictimization |
Author: International Justice Mission Title: Guatemalan Criminal Justice System Performance Study, 2008-2012: Indicators of Practice, Process and Resolution within Cases of Child Sexual Assault Summary: This study analyzes the performance of Guatemala's criminal justice system (CJS) in cases of sexual assault. The main goal of this study is to contribute to the efforts of the CJS in improving the response of the system to cases of child sexual assault (CSA). This study uses database reports from the Public Ministry's (MP) Information Control System (SICOMP) from 2008 to 2012. These reports included information about complaints filed, accusations, sentences, pre-trial testimonies, victims, and the status of cases at the national level. Moreover, reports from the Judicial System's National Center of Analysis and Documentation (CENADOJ) of terminated processes during the years 2008-2010 were also used. The CENADOJ reports consisted of data pertaining to child sexual abuse crimes in the departments of Quezaltenango, Guatemala, and Alta Verapaz. These departments have the highest rates of child sexual abuse complaints in all of Guatemala. From this data, 182 records were selected and this information provided first-hand accounts of judicial practices. In addition to the quantitative data provided by SICOMP, such as the data collected from the judicial records with a final sentence between 2008 and 2010, 75 officials from the CJS who intervene in CSA cases and 22 officials from social agencies were interviewed. These interviews captured their perspective on the development of the Guatemalan CJS. 60 prosecutors and assistant prosecutors from the MP were also interviewed to capture their experience with procedural outcomes in the cases of sexual crimes committed against children. The methodology also was validated before a panel of experts and criminal law scholars. The majority of their contributions are included in this study's analysis. The data was discussed with MP officials from SICOMP, with whom the numbers and interpretation of data were clarified. Lastly, the report was presented to high-level officials from the MP and the Judicial Branch (OJ). All these activities allowed for a wide validation of, and transparency in this study. One of the main findings of the study was that Guatemala has adapted the internal regulations to international standards (2009), but the main problem lies in the effective implementation of the regulatory framework. However, the system has made significant progress as new best practices for the protection and holistic attention of children begin to be applied in cases of CSA. Despite changes in the law and the introduction of Decree 9-2009, the Law Against Sexual Violence, Exploitation, and Trafficking of Persons, Guatemala continues to have high numbers of complaints of sexual assault. In the last five years, 36,166 cases were reported, making it the seventh mostreported crime within the Public Ministry in 20144. Of these complaints, 44% of victims were minors and the majority, female. Based on the analysis of the sample, nearly 90% of the perpetrators were individuals known to the child. Nationally, the Public Prosecutor's Office reported 9.4% complaints of assault between 2008 and 2012. Of these complaints, only 5.86% ended in a verdict. Of these verdicts (182 cases), 80% resulted in a conviction and 20% ended in an acquittal. The study also found that child victims were required to recount their story to approximately eight different professionals, each from a different criminal justice system institution. The sample showed that the mechanisms to avoid the re-traumatization of minors in the criminal process are under-utilized. Only 1.52% of CSA cases between 2008 and 2012 applied pre-trial testimony procedures. In very few instances were adequate locations used to hear the testimonies of child victims, or screens used at trial to protect the victim from the view of the perpetrator. During the years of this study, training for CJS officials was insufficient and sporadic. Official training procedures lacked both consistency and the capacity to monitor the implementation of training content. The study makes it possible to examine the situation of child victims in cases of sexual assault and to establish a baseline of indicators in the attention, processing and resolution of these cases. The main recommendations of this study are: -Public policy should be designed to strengthen deterrence, in order to prevent minors from becoming victims of sexual crimes. -Policies that adopt mechanisms to provide proper treatment for minors who have been victims of sexual assault crimes should be implemented within the different institutions of the CJS, such as the Public Ministry's Model for Holistic Attention. -CJS institutions should develop reliable systems that permit the interconnection and exchange of information for strategic decision making, in order to avoid sub-records or inconsistent records. -There is an urgent need for the implementation of coordination mechanisms between the Public Ministry - as the directing unit of the investigation- and the National Civil Police, to conduct key investigations in the least amount of time possible. -The CJS should not support the application of alternative conclusions to the criminal process in cases of rape or other crimes of sexual assault against minors. -Inter-institutional coordination should be promoted within the CJS to avoid an excess of testimonies from the child. -Judges, prosecutors and other officials from the CJS should be aware of the traumatic effects of the criminal process and what methods they can use to reduce them. This includes the use of the pre-trial testimony in the case of minor victims of sexual crimes. Proper locations should be sought out to create better conditions for children to give their testimonies, and the recording of these testimonies should consistently apply the attention/care protocols. -The training units from the different institutions of the legal sector should develop and implement a training process on the issues of protection, investigation, sanction and restitution of damages for minors who have been victims of sexual assault crimes. This process should include methodology to evaluate the incorporation of the acquired knowledge when delivering services. Details: Guatemala City, Guatemala: International Justice Mission, 2013. 149p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2019 at: https://www.ijm.org/documents/studies/Guatemala-Public-Justice-System-Performance-Study.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Guatemala URL: https://www.ijm.org/studies/guatemalan-criminal-justice-system-performance-study-2008-2012 Shelf Number: 156546 Keywords: Child Sexual AssaultChild VictimsGuatemalaSentencesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual CrimesTrafficking of PersonsViolence Against Girls |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: Investigation of Alabama's State Prisons for Men Summary: The Civil Rights Division and the three U.S. Attorney's Offices for the State of Alabama ("Department" or "Department of Justice") provide notice, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. 1997 et seq. ("CRIPA"), that there is reasonable cause to believe, based on the totality of the conditions, practices, and incidents discovered that: (1) the conditions in Alabamas prisons for men (hereinafter "Alabama's prisons") violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; and (2) these violations are pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights protected by the Eighth Amendment. The Department does not serve as a tribunal authorized to make factual findings and legal conclusions binding on, or admissible in, any court, and nothing in this Notice Letter ("Notice") should be construed as such. Accordingly, this Notice is not intended to be admissible evidence and does not create any legal rights or obligations. Consistent with the statutory requirements of CRIPA, we write this Notice to notify Alabama of the Department's conclusions with respect to numerous constitutional violations, the facts supporting those conclusions, and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address the identified deficiencies. There is reasonable cause to believe that the Alabama Department of Corrections ("ADOC") has violated and is continuing to violate the Eighth Amendment rights of prisoners housed in men's prisons by failing to protect them from prisoner-on-prisoner violence, prisoner-on-prisoner sexual abuse, and by failing to provide safe conditions, and that such violations are pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights secured by the Eighth Amendment. The violations are severe, systemic, and exacerbated by serious deficiencies in staffing and supervision; overcrowding; ineffective housing and classification protocols; inadequate incident reporting; inability to control the flow of contraband into and within the prisons, including illegal drugs and weapons; ineffective prison management and training; insufficient maintenance and cleaning of facilities; the use of segregation and solitary confinement to both punish and protect victims of violence and/or sexual abuse; and a high level of violence that is too common, cruel, of an unusual nature, and pervasive. Our investigation revealed that an excessive amount of violence, sexual abuse, and prisoner deaths occur within Alabama's prisons on a regular basis. Indeed, a review of a single week in Alabama's prisons - a week in September 2017 - provides a window into a broken system that too often disregards prisoners' safety. The "Hot Bay" at Bibb was a housing unit populated exclusively with prisoners with disciplinary infractions. It had limited supervision and no programming. On a Friday in September 2017, three days before the Department of Justice arrived at Bibb for the first full facility tour of our investigation, two prisoners stood guard at the doors of the Hot Bay, an open dormitory housing men in bunkbeds multiple rows deep, watching for rarely-seen correctional officers. At the back of the dormitory and not visible from the front door, two other prisoners started stabbing their intended victim. The victim screamed for help. Another prisoner tried to intervene and he, too, was stabbed. The initial victim dragged himself to the front doors of the dormitory. Prisoners banged on the locked doors to get the attention of security staff. When an officer finally responded, he found the prisoner lying on the floor bleeding from his chest. The prisoner eventually bled to death. One Hot Bay resident told us that he could still hear the prisoner's screams in his sleep. That same day, at Staton, a prisoner was stabbed multiple times by another prisoner and had to be medically evacuated by helicopter to a nearby hospital. The following day, at Elmore, a prisoner was beaten and injured by four other prisoners. At Ventress, officers performed a random pat down on a prisoner, finding 17 cigarettes laced with drugs, a plastic bag of methamphetamine, and a bag filled with another hallucinogen drug referred to as "cookie dough." On Sunday, a prisoner asleep in the honor dormitory - a dormitory reserved for prisoners with good behavior - at St. Clair was woken from sleep when two prisoners started beating him with a sock filled with metal locks. The victim was injured so severely that he was transported to an outside hospital for emergency treatment. That same day at Ventress, a prisoner was punched so forcefully in the eye by another prisoner that he was sent to an outside hospital. Another prisoner was stabbed by two other prisoners with homemade knives. A different Ventress prisoner was punched so hard in the face by prisoners with shirts covering their faces that he was transported to an outside hospital for treatment. At Staton, a prisoner threatened a correctional officer with a knife measuring seven inches in length. And another prisoner reported that he had been sexually assaulted by a fellow prisoner after he had only agreed, in exchange for three store items, to lower his pants for that prisoner to view his buttocks while masturbating. On Tuesday, at Fountain, a prisoner set fire to another prisoner's bed blanket while he was sleeping, leading to a fight between the two men. Officers searching a dormitory at Ventress found 12 plastic bags of an unknown substance, 79 cigarettes laced with drugs, two bags containing "cookie dough," and a bag of methamphetamine. On Wednesday morning, a prisoner at Easterling was sexually assaulted inside of a segregation cell by an inmate. Four days prior, this same prisoner had been forced at knifepoint to perform oral sex on two other prisoners. On Thursday, at Ventress, a prisoner was so severely assaulted by four other prisoners that he had to be transported to an outside hospital for treatment. A different Ventress prisoner reported being sexually assaulted. At Bullock, a prisoner was found unresponsive on the floor by his bed and later died; his death was caused by an overdose of a synthetic cannabinoid. On Friday at Ventress, an officer observed a prisoner bleeding from the shoulder due to a stab wound; the prisoner was transported to an outside hospital for treatment. These incidents in Alabama's prisons are just some of those reported in ADOC's own records during one week. And based on what we learned from our investigation and statements made by ADOC's head of operations, it is likely that many other serious incidents also occurred this week but were not reported by prisoners or staff. Details: Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, 2019. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 1, 2019 at: https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/file/1149971/download Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/us/alabama-prisons-doj-investigation.html Shelf Number: 157086 Keywords: Inmates Prison Violence Prisoners Sexual Abuse Sexual Assault |