Citation

Alderden MA, Ullman SE. Violence Against Women 2012; 18(5): 525-551.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801212453867

PMID

22814891

Abstract

This study sought to identify factors that predicted outcomes for sexual assault cases involving female victims across several decision-making points and compare these findings to prior studies. The results indicate that there continues to be a high attrition rate in the handling of sexual assault cases. Only 9.7% of cases examined resulted in charges. In regards to processing decisions, most of the factors that predicted whether cases were founded, resulted in arrest, presented to the prosecution, or resulted in felony charges were extralegal factors. One factor appeared to influence several decision-making points: whether officers noted discrepancies in victim statements.

Language: en