Why rape survivors participate in the criminal justice system

Abstract

After a rape, survivors may seek help from multiple community organizations including the criminal justice system (CJS). Research has found that few survivors report their assaults to the police and of those who do report, many withdraw their participation during the investigation. However, relatively little is known about the factors that lead survivors to participate in the CJS, and how other community services provided by forensic nurses or victim advocates may also help encourage survivor engagement. In the current study, 20 survivors who reported their victimizations to police within a large Midwest county were interviewed about the factors that influenced their involvement in the CJS. Further, we examined the role that the police, forensic nurses, and victim advocates played in their participation. Using qualitative analyses, our findings suggest that informal supports hold a strong role in the reporting process and formal supports are influential in survivors' engagement in the investigational process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Understanding How Advocates Can Affect Sexual Assault Victim Engagement in the Criminal Justice Process

“…In the current study, participants believed that approaching victims with compassion and respect may offer hope to the victim that they will be treated with respect in subsequent interactions with law enforcement. This finding is consistent with prior research that found victims who experienced respectful treatment by advocates and nurses felt more at ease about participating in the CJ process and anticipated a respectful response by law enforcement (Patterson & Campbell, 2010).…”

Does Encouragement by Others Increase Rape Reporting? Findings From a National Sample of Women

“…Yet, formal reporting may not be a desired option for all victims. There are potential negative consequences related to reporting, including loss of anonymity, fear of, or experienced, reprisal or pressure to not participate in the criminal justice system by the perpetrator or others, and possible exposure to other potentially harmful negative reactions (e.g., Allen, 2007; Bachman 1998; Felson & Pare, 2005; Patterson & Campbell, 2010; Patterson et al, 2009; Wolitzky-Taylor et al, 2011). Thus, formal reporting cannot be assumed to be an inherent part of the post-rape process, and the focus should be on helping victims to make an informed decision about whether or not to file a report.…”

A systematic literature review of “rape victims” versus “rape survivors”: Implications for theory, research, and practice

“…Similarly, Patterson and Campbell's (2010) qualitative data also revealed concerns for justice and social concerns motivating women in their sample to report the rapes to law enforcement. Importantly, the primary motivations of women in their sample to continue their involvement in the investigation process were centered on themes associated with being survivors (e.g., experiencing respect versus revictimization, which increased their confidence).…”