FORCIBLE RAPE AND THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (FROM VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1975 BY DUNCAN CHAPELL AND JOHN MONAHAN - SEE NCJ 29557)

• NCJ Number: 29564
• Author(s): D CHAPPELL
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES IN THE HANDLING OF RAPE CASES BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING VARIABILITY IN RAPE STATISTICS, POLICE HANDLING OF RAPE CASES, AND PROBLEMS IN PROSECUTING RAPISTS.

Abstract

THE CURRENT WAVE OF CONCERN ABOUT THE INCIDENCE OF RAPE IS DISCUSSED, AND REASONS FOR THE ALARMING INCREASES IN REPORTED RAPES ARE REVIEWED. USING REFERENCES TO A STUDY OF 704 RAPE CASES FROM THE FILES OF NEW YORK CITY POLICE, THE AUTHOR THEN EXAMINES PROBLEMS CAUSED BY DEFICIENCIES IN POLICE RAPE RECORDS AND INVESTIGATIONS, POLICE TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS, AND LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN POLICE AND PROSECUTORS IN RAPE CASES. IT IS NOTED THAT NEW YORK CITY IS ATTEMPTING TO ALLEVIATE THESE PROBLEMS BY IMPROVING POLICE REPORT FORMS FOR RAPE CASES, ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL RAPE SQUAD HEADED BY A FEMALE LIEUTENANT, AND REFORMING CRIMINAL LAWS RELATING TO RAPE. PROBLEMS IN OBTAINING JURY CONVICTIONS IN RAPE CASES DUE TO PREVAILING SOCIAL ATTITUDES ON THE CRIME OF RAPE ARE ALSO REVIEWED.