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While there has been an upsurge of research about human services for male victims of rape, methodological advances are still limited, and significant knowledge gaps remain. Until now, empirical studies have focused almost entirely on human service professionals' gendered attitudes to try to explain outcomes and victims' experiences of support. In this article, I argue that research approaches that are based on professionals' attitudes fail to account for important contextual conditions in policing, healthcare and other human services. My overall aim is thus to introduce greater concern about contextual conditions in human services and provide ways for scholars to approach support for raped men so that different practices, as well as their effects, become visible. To demonstrate the contributions of a practice-based approach to research about support for raped men, an empirical case from a study on police investigation into rape will be analysed and discussed. By using a practice-based approach, it is possible to explore relations between practices performed by organisations, professionals and victims, and highlight the outcomes of such relations. In this way, a practice-based approach can help research progress and contribute to improved services for male rape victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the idea of 'offender-centric' policing in cases of rape, with its focus on suspect and offender admissions and behaviours. It features discussion of 11 cases, illustrating offender-centric pathways to charge or conviction, the challenges facing complainants, suspects and police officers, along with missed opportunities to focus on a suspect's behaviour. The importance of victim care and support is discussed, and it is argued that victim care should accompany an offender-centric approach to rape investigation. It is also argued that there are potential dangers with offender-centric tactics, specifically, that without due care it may become a self-confirming investigative tool influenced by confirmation bias which may lead to flawed decision-making. The article concludes by arguing that offender-centric policing has benefits in those cases with suspects who engage in predatory behaviour, have a history of previously undisclosed sexual offending and domestic violence and other problematic behaviours. It also has value in focusing the attention of investigators on what steps were taken by a suspect to ascertain the complainant's consent. While the offender-centric approach cannot address all investigative challenges in rape cases, it is a useful addition to existing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case study of a researcher–reporter collaboration that formed from an initiative to address thousands of previously untested rape kits in one Midwestern (U.S.) jurisdiction. We explore this symbiotic partnership by examining (a) how and why it formed; (b) the outcomes, including extensive and public dissemination and a unique project that surveyed 294 Ohio law enforcement agencies to see what happened after the rape kits were tested (Ohio Rape Kit Survey Project); and (c) the impact that the partnership, dissemination, and larger initiative had in sparking demonstrable change in how the justice system and the general public responded to and engaged with the issue of untested rape kits and with victims of sexual assault. We conclude with larger takeaways from this collaboration for researchers and reporters but also provide a framework for how this type of collaboration can be leveraged to produce change for the greater good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When decisions are made under time pressure, individuals tend to reduce the number of hypotheses generated to explain and solve problems. This research investigates the extent to which individual differences in (a) domain-specific experience, (b) fluid intelligence, (c) need for closure (NFC), and (d) time urgency moderated the effect of time pressure on investigative hypothesis generation. Korean detectives (N = 133) participated in simulated investigative scenarios. To induce the perception of time pressure, one group was informed that the task would have to be completed under time pressure (N = 66), whereas the other group did not receive this instruction (N = 67); although both groups had the same amount of time). Outcomes included the number and quality of hypotheses generated for solving the case. The quality of hypotheses generated was measured against criteria established by expert detectives. Results revealed that time pressure directly decreased the quantity and quality of hypotheses generated. In the relationships, low time urgency moderated the effect of time pressure on the number and quality of hypotheses generated, also low NFC moderated the impact of time pressure on the number of hypotheses generated. Furthermore, the most experienced detectives were least affected by the negative association between time pressure and the quality of hypotheses generated. The findings suggest lower time urgency, lower NFC and more experience are adaptive 'protective' factors against the negative impact of time pressure on hypothesis generation within high stakes and uncertain situations such as rape investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Police departments and victim advocacy organizations are gendered institutions. In addition, rape is a gendered crime with most victims being female and most perpetrators male. On the job, female officers may experience harassment, discrimination, and pressure to conform. Rape cases may present unique challenges for them given these dynamics. A total of 429 police officers were quantitatively surveyed on colleagues’ comments about rape victims, utilization of victim advocates, perceptions of rape-related training, and inclination to encourage loved ones to make reports. Significant gender differences were identified in most areas. Results are discussed in relation to previous research on gender and police work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs can be a vital resource to victims and the legal community. This study examined how police may use SANE services during the investigation phase and how this involvement may affect whether a case is forwarded by police to prosecutors. Police reports (N = 343) of adult sexual assault cases in three midwestern law enforcement agencies were content-analyzed to capture the nature of SANE involvement in the investigation, the specific investigatory steps taken in each case, and the referral outcome. When the victim had a medical forensic exam, police collected more kinds of other evidence to support the case, which was associated with increased likelihood of case referral for prosecution. When SANEs conducted a suspect exam (i.e., a forensic examination of the suspect’s body), police were more likely to collect other kinds of evidence and more likely to interview the suspect, both of which were associated with increased likelihood of case referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the effects of geographic isolation and local police presence on the processing of 239 sexual assault cases reported to the Alaska State Troopers. Geographic isolation is hypothesized to hinder case processing due to its impact on the celerity and thoroughness of investigations, whereas the presence of local police is hypothesized to facilitate case processing by legitimizing reported offenses and assisting with evidence collection. Controlling for a host of important legal and "extra legal" case characteristics, the authors find that geographic isolation and local police presence did significantly influence case processing. However, contrary to expectations, geographic isolation facilitates case processing in that sexual assault cases from isolated locations are actually more likely to be referred for prosecution. As expected, local police presence facilitates case processing by enhancing the likelihood that referred cases would be accepted for prosecution. Implications for rural policing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the turn of the twentieth century British colonial officials imagined women in Burma to be distinctly more liberated than their sisters in other quarters of British India, but this posed a set of specific problems. The perceived influence women held over their husbands in official positions led to fears that they caused corruption. Women represented private interests infiltrating public duties. Thus the desired, normative subordinate colonial official was assertively masculine and in a position of authority over their female spouse. In this colonial desire there was a curious parallel with the everyday acts of misconduct committed by subordinate officials that was most apparent in rape investigations. Indigenous women faced great difficulties, even dangers, when seeking redress for crimes of gendered violence due to the machinations of subordinate state employees. High-ranking British officials demonstrated at best indifference, at worst suspicion, concerning women’s accusations. These everyday acts of subordinate officials were more important in gendering the colonial state than has been previously recognised. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Appeal against order of HH Judge McKenna (sitting in Birmingham County Court) dismissing claim for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in a public office by Chief Constable of West Midlands Police. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines men's sexual victimization experiences in the United States using a nationally representative sample of victim narratives from the National Crime Victimization Survey. An analysis of men's incidents reveals many similarities to women's rapes and sexual assaults as well as some rather gendered differences, particularly in regard to offender sex, victims' willingness to report to officials, and a few uniquely masculine ways in which some men frame their experiences. The study begins an important exploration of men's descriptions of their sexual victimization experiences and responses and encourages future empirical and theoretical research of this understudied population of victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forensic use of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is demonstrating significant success as a crime-solving tool. However, numerous concerns have been raised regarding the potential for DNA use to contravene cultural, ethical, and legal codes. In this article the expectations and level of knowledge of the New Zealand public of the DNA databank and the surrounding processes are discussed. A questionnaire was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, comprising a combination of open and closed questions. The ensuing survey comprised a sample of 100 participants. Although participants initially appeared in favor of the forensic use of DNA, particularly in regard to the collection of DNA from sex offenders, perceptions and attitudes were based on limited knowledge of processes, policies, and implications. Upon further discussion and reflection a number of concerns were raised, such as ownership of DNA samples and the potential for misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face-to-face interviewing is a common data collection technique in violence against women research. To guide the development of interviewer training programs, the authors conducted an empirical study on adult rape survivors' recommendations for interview practice. They asked survivors what interviewers should know about rape and how they should interact with participants. Data from 92 survivors revealed that interviewer training needs to emphasize diversity so that researchers are capable of working effectively with individuals with different life circumstances. The survivors also emphasized that interviewers need to show warmth and compassion and allow them to exercise choice and control during the interview process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of rape is among the leading methodological issues in the violence against women field. Methodological discussion continues to focus on decreasing measurement errors and improving the accuracy of rape estimates. The current study used a quasi-experimental design to examine the effect of survey question wording on estimates of completed and attempted rape and verbal threats of rape. Specifically, the study statistically compares self-reported rape estimates from two nationally representative studies of college women's sexual victimization experiences, the National College Women Sexual Victimization study and the National Violence Against College Women study. Results show significant differences between the two sets of rape estimates, with National Violence Against College Women study rape estimates ranging from 4.4% to 10.4% lower than the National College Women Sexual Victimization study rape estimates. Implications for future methodological research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies examine the prevalence and effects of rape myths in tile print media covering a real-life case of alleged sexual assault. Study 1 was an archival study of 156 sources from around the country. Articles about the Kobe Bryant case were coded lot instances of rape myths, among other variables. Of the articles, 65 mentioned at least one rape myth (with "she's lying" being the single most common myth perpetuated). Study 2 assessed participants' (N = 62) prior knowledge of the Bryant case and exposed them to a myth-endorsing or myth-challenging article about the case. Those exposed to the myth-endorsing article were more likely to believe that Bryant was not guilty and the alleged victim was lying. The implications for victim reporting and reducing sexual assault in general are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of the coverage of two cases of rape in the daily Israeli popular press. The authors' hypothesis that the younger victim who did not know most of her attackers will be portrayed as helpless and not responsible for her victimization and would enjoy more positive descriptions than the older victim who knew her aggressors was not supported. In both cases, the reports tended to focus on the victims' behavior before the rape, emphasizing that they were not sexually innocent. It is argued that by focusing on the victims' previous sexual experience and by identifying them as “bad girls,” the newspapers sustained and reinforced the myths that a woman who is having consensual sex cannot be raped, and if so, she is held culpable and perceived as “asking for it.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the ability of crime-scene variables observed in serial rapes to predict the classification in the Massachusetts Treatment Center, Rapist Typology Version Three (MTC:R3). Methodology used in the study; Overview on the MTC:R3 typology; Analysis of results.

Examines the related factors to the probability of a rape victimization being reported to police and the subsequent probability of an arrest being made. Data and methodology used in the study; Contextual characteristics examined; Analysis of results; Implications for policy and the effectiveness of rape laws.

Examines the naturally occurring causal attributions in sexual assault trial judgments and their consequences. How causal attributions functioned in the narrative of the judgment; Significance of distributions of attributions; Database used in information gathering.

Presents an example of male dominated confrontational behavior which occurred while a Victorian Parliamentary Committee inquiring into rape questioned workers from the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA).