DOI: 10.3886/icpsr36431.v1
title: Examining Criminal Justice Responses to and Help-Seeking Patterns of Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities, United States, 2008-2013
title: Version 1

description: These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they are received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator if further information is needed.
This mixed methods study examined the criminal justice outcomes and help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities. The specific objectives of this study were to:
Describe criminal justice reporting of sexual assault against persons with disabilities (e.g., number and source of reports, characteristics or survivors and perpetrators, case characteristics, and case outcomes); Assess how cases of sexual assault survivors with disabilities proceeded through the criminal court system.; Describe help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities from formal and informal sources, including influences on how and where they seek help, their experiences in reporting, barriers to reporting, and outcome of this reporting, drawn from interviews with community based survivors and service providers.; The study contains one data file called 'Data_Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities.sav'. This file has 26 variables and 417 cases.
description: Few studies have examined criminal justice responses to, and help-seeking patterns of, sexual assault survivors with disabilities. The goals of this study were to: Describe criminal justice reporting of sexual assault against persons with disabilities using administrative and case file data from a large metropolitan area's District Attorney's Office consisting of all sexual assault cases involving adults from 2008 to 2013 when the reported victim had a disability/was Deaf.; Assess how cases of sexual assault survivors with disabilities proceeded through the criminal court system, using administrative data, case file reviews, and Assistant District Attorney and Victim-Witness Advocate informational interviews.; Describe help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities from formal and
informal sources, including influences on how and where they seek help, their experiences in
reporting, barriers to reporting, and outcomes of this reporting, drawn from interviews with
community-based survivors and service providers.;
description: This study utilized a mixed-methods approach, using quantitative and qualitative data from: electronic administrative data, paper case file data, interviews with Assistant District Attorney, Victim-Witness Advocates, and supplemental interviews with community-based survivors and services providers in the same area. The administrative and case file data were collected for all sexual assault cases from 2008 to 2013 (the most recent years available) when the reported victim had a disability (n=417). Three types of data were gathered on referral, case facts, reported victims, and reported perpetrator(s).
description: This study contains 1 data file called '2._Data_Sexual_Violence_Survivors_with_Disabilities.sav' consisting of 417 cases and 26 variables. All of the variables are related to three categories including: disability types, sexual assault, and case outcomes. For example some sexual assault variables include: psychiatric disability, physical/sensory disability, and intellectual/developmental disability. Examples of variables under the category of sexual assault are: rape, sexual assault, or indecent assault and battery. Lastly, closed without charges, referred to another unit (e.g. sexual assault unit or child/family unit), referred to lower court (municipal or district court), nolle prossed, heard by a grand jury, and convicted, are all variables related to case outcome.
description: Presence of Common Scales: 
					none
description: Response Rates: 
					Not Applicable
description: Datasets: 
					
						DS1: Dataset
description: record abstracts
description: face-to-face interview
description: All sexual assault cases involving adults from 2008 to 2013, when the reported victim had a disability and/or was deaf.
				   		Smallest Geographic Unit: none
description: There were three forms of data used in this study: Quantitative administrative data, Paper case files, and information from interviews. The administrative data was accessed through an electronic case management system. All 417 paper case files were used to fill in data missing in the electronic records and to record additional information not recorded in the electronic records. Paper case file data were merged with the electronic administrative data to form a dataset for all sexual assault cases against persons with disabilities handled by the DEU from 2008 to 2013. Lastly, interviews were held with district attorneys and victim witness advocates on case processing, decision points, and background for decisions.