NCJ Number
56168
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 45-52
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A MODEL FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE TO RAPE VICTIMS IS PROPOSED, EMPHASIZING A SUPPORTIVE APPROACH FOR VICTIMS. THIS APPROACH SHOULD LEAD TO INCREASED SOLUTIONS TO RAPE CRIMES.
Abstract
THE LITERATURE SHOWS THAT RAPE GOES LARGELY UNREPORTED, THAT VICTIMS ARE USUALLY BRUTALIZED BY INSENSITIVE AGENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THAT WOMEN ARE TURNING MORE AND MORE TO ALTERNATIVES TO SEEKING PROSECUTION OF AND TREATMENT FOR RAPE. THE MODEL PROPOSED ACKNOWLEDGES THE POLICE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VICTIM'S AVOIDANCE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN RAPE CASES. IT REQUIRES THAT POLICE BE TRAINED TO RETHINK THEIR ATTITUDES ABOUT RAPE, RAPISTS, AND VICTIMS. POLICE MUST BE TAUGHT TO REALIZE THAT THEIR APPROACH TO RAPE VICTIMS MIGHT BE INFLUENCED BY OLD SOCIETAL MYTHS--THAT THE WOMAN PROVOKED THE CRIME, THAT THE OFFENDER IS SEXUALLY UNFULFILLED AND ACTED ON IMPULSE, THAT THE VICTIM CAN RESIST A RAPE--AND DEVELOP NEW ATTITUDES TOWARD THE CRIME. POLICE SHOULD BE TRAINED TO GIVE VERBAL AID TO THE VICTIMS, DEAL WITH VERBAL ABUSE AND MIGHT BE DIRECTED AT THEM BY A TRAUMATIZED VICTIM, INTERPRET AND REACT TO NONVERBAL MESSAGES WHEN FIRST ENCOUNTERING THE VICTIM, AND BE SKILLFUL IN USING NONVERBAL SUPPORTIVE GESTURES. IN INTERVIEWING THE VICTIM, OFFICERS NEED TO AVOID VERBAL ABUSE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOCUS ON THE VIOLENCE OF THE CRIME RATHER THAN ON THE SEXUAL ASPECTS, AND INFORM THE VICTIM OF NECESSARY MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROCEDURES. IN ALL CASES, THE OFFICER MUST ASSURE THE VICTIM THAT THE CRIME WAS NOT HER FAULT. THE POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE APPROACH CAN BE LEARNED THROUGH TRAINING AND WILL ENHANCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CATCHING THE RAPIST SINCE A WOMAN WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO REPORT THE CRIME, DIVULGE INFORMATION, AND TESTIFY IN COURT. (DAG)