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                            Library & Multimedia
 "Victim is Not Credible" The Influence of Rape Culture on Police Perceptions of Sexual Assault Complainants
NCJ Number
              253966
Journal

*Justice Quarterly* Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 127-160
Author(s)
          Eryn N. O'Neal
Date Published

2019
Length
              34 pages
Annotation
              Since few studies have investigated the police decision to question a complainant's credibility in sexual assault allegations, the current study used data on sexual assaults reported to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 2008 to address this issue, focusing on the effects of rape culture.
Abstract
              The results suggest that indicators of "real rape" and measures of complainant "character flaws" influence the likelihood that an officer will question a complainant's credibility. Notably, all indicators measuring officer perceptions of complainant "character flaws," whether reputation issues were present, the complainant suffered from mental health issues, her testimony was inconsistent, and whether the officer believed she had a motive to lie - increased the likelihood that the police would question her credibility. Practical implications, theoretical advancements, and directions for future research are discussed. (publisher abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2009-WG-BX-0009


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Police Decision Making In Sexual Assault Cases: An Analysis of Crimes Reported to the Los Angeles Police Department, 2006-2008
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2019
    
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