Effect of Race on Sexual Assault Case Processing.

This paper explores the impact of race on sexual assault case processing. Specifically, this paper focuses on an Alaska Native/Non-Alaska Native racial typification and examines its impact on case processing and case outcomes. Victim race, suspect race, and the racial composition of the victim/suspect dyad were examined for significant differences in case outcomes, charge severity, and dissimilar patterns of decision-making. This was accomplished by linking data from police reports on all sexual assaults reported to the Anchorage Police Department between 2000 and 2003 with prosecution data from the Department of Law for these same cases. Police data contained all independent and control variables used in this analysis. Prosecution data provided codified accounts of prosecutorial decision-making, case dispositions at multiple stages, and reasons for these dispositions. Linking the data in this manner allowed us to discern the impact of race at multiple points in the justice system. Policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]