The Impact of Detectives’ Manner of Questioning on Rape Victims’ Disclosure

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of and barriers to reporting female genital mutilation (FGM) by victims and survivors of FGM to the police in England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on 14 interviews conducted with adult survivors and victims of FGM. A combination of 1:1 and group interviews were used, based on the preference of the respondents. Respondents were recruited in collaboration with specialist non-governmental organisations and major stakeholders in the area of honour-based violence and black and minority ethnic communities. Findings A key finding in this research was that all victims/survivors the authors interviewed stated that they did not support the practice of FGM, and that they would not follow it for younger women in their own family. Second, the authors found that none of the respondents had reported their experience to the police. Third, they identified key barriers to reporting, which included: their belief that reporting their own experience would not serve any purpose because they had experienced FGM as children, and in another country; and that they did not feel able to report new incidents of FGM in the community because of a lack of trust in the police due to previous negative experiences. Finally, they believed that FGM could be prevented only by work within the community, and not through engagement with the criminal justice system. Originality/value This is, to our knowledge, one of the first papers that is based on victims and survivors’ perceptions that explores barriers to reporting cases of FGM to the police, and offers levers for change.

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“…or "Why didn't you fight back?" (see Patterson, 2011). This is consistent with research from Myhill and Johnson (2016).…”

Section: Legal and Policy Interventionssupporting

confidence: 90%

Perception and barriers: reporting female genital mutilation

Gangoli

Gill

Mulvihill

et al. 2018

JACPR

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“…Even specialist training on the issue has not been found to impact on police Officers' rape victim blaming (Sleath & Bull, 2012). Positive or negative experiences at disclosure can impact on the judicial process, and is important in relation to victim blaming and victim believability (Patterson, 2011). If an already vulnerable victim discloses and is not believed, and blamed for her/his own victimisation then this has an 16 adverse impact on that individual (Patterson, 2011).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Positive or negative experiences at disclosure can impact on the judicial process, and is important in relation to victim blaming and victim believability (Patterson, 2011). If an already vulnerable victim discloses and is not believed, and blamed for her/his own victimisation then this has an 16 adverse impact on that individual (Patterson, 2011). Given the present findings, combined with literature indicating that victim blaming occurs within the police, further research into whether the fact that many staff involved in receiving rape/revenge pornography victim reports are male deters victims from reporting an offence, or re-traumatises the victim, is an area that would benefit from further research.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It may also be the case that this type of victim blame crosses over to offences such as revenge pornography, where prior relationships between victim and perpetrator are often involved. Not only can victims be blamed for their experience, Patterson (2011) indicates there is a risk that victims will be disbelieved when they report crimes. This could have a harmful impact on the judicial process, beginning at initial detective questioning which may or may not end in prosecution of a perpetrator.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding revenge pornography: public perceptions of revenge pornography and victim blaming

Bothamley

Tully

2018

Jnl Aggress Conflict Peace Res

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Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research 2 AbstractPurpose: The disclosure of private images with the intent of causing distress is often described as 'revenge pornography'. In the UK, this newly legislated crime has received a high level of media attention following several high profile cases, however there is a paucity of research in this area.Methods: 168 adults (UK general public) completed an online survey using a vignette approach. Views of the influence of perpetrator-victim relationship length and reason for termination were considered alongside perception of an offence, the necessity of police intervention, what extent revenge pornography creates psychological harm in victims, and victim blaming.Findings: Perpetrator-victim relationship length and reason for relationship breakdown did not influence perceptions of victim blame. Participants believed that the situation described in the vignettes was likely to be an offence, and that police intervention is somewhat necessary. Participants believed that the scenario was 'very likely' to create fear, and 'moderately likely' to create psychological/mental harm in victims. In line with the literature relating to stalking and sexual assault, men blamed the victim significantly more than women. Furthermore, women rated police intervention significantly more necessary than men. Implications:The public are recognising that revenge pornography is an offence, with consequences being fear and psychological harm, showing an awareness of the impact on victims. However, there are sex differences in the perceptions of revenge pornography and victim blame and this could be addressed by raising awareness of this crime. This research, which highlights that the public are aware of some of the harm caused, may encourage victims in coming forward to report such a crime. Originality:There is a paucity of research into revenge pornography, and this study is one of the first in this area.

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“…Cooperation was less likely if the victim was under the influence of alcohol or drugs or had a history of drug use Tellis & Spohn, 2008). A qualitative study by Patterson (2011) examined the ways in which victims' interactions with detectives during a rape investigation influenced their level of disclosure. This Downloaded by [Gazi University] at 07:24 30 December 2015 study found that victims who perceived the detective's manner of questioning to be gentler provided more information.…”

Section: Victim Decision Makingmentioning

confidence: 99%