An analysis of situational, personal and professional characteristics in perceptions of rape within the police service

Previous research has indicated that some police personnel can have negative perceptions of rape victims (Sleath & Bull, 2017). The majority of past research examining officers' perceptions of rape has focused predominantly on the characteristics of rape victims and perpetrators; not recognising the effects of police personnel characteristics, and the role they may play in influencing their perceptions of sexual offences, and ultimately the outcome of such cases. In addition, research that has taken police personnel characteristics into account has not taken into consideration how a combination of personal and professional characteristics, in relation to sexual offence type, may impact upon perceptions; instead, studying such factors in isolation. This thesis addressed this gap in the research, whilst also considering the Sexual Offences Act (2003) which recognises two distinct sexual offences which in other countries may be classified as rape; specifically, sexual assault by penetration and sexual activity without consent. This research using a national data collection from police services in England and Wales confirmed that several personal and professional characteristics were related to police personnel rape myths and rape empathy. It also showed that the gender of the victim and perpetrator, and the type of sexual offences being reported can affect police personnel perceptions of the parties involved. The findings in this thesis also have implications for how police services manage and support police personnel; specifically, compassion fatigue. The findings also raise awareness of how police personnel characteristics and perceptions may affect reporting and attrition rates, and victim experiences of reporting to the police.