NCJ Number
206206
Date Published
2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This research examined a sample of Croatian women's views and attitudes regarding police responses to sexual assault, their willingness to report sexual assault, and reasons for not reporting sexual assault.
Abstract
Study participants were recruited from a large textile factory in Croatia. Of the 207 women who participated in the survey, a restricted sample of 194 who provided complete data for the variables in the analysis was used for the study. The women were queried about how they perceived the ethics, legality, and correctness of policing sexual assault; the willingness of the women to report to police their own sexual victimization and what they expect from police on such occasions; and reasons for not reporting sexual victimization. Regarding the reporting of sexual assault, the findings indicate that four out of five women would report a sexual assault to the police; however, women who would not report their sexual assault to the police had significantly more previous experiences of male violence. Women who did not perceive the police as helpful and sensitive were less likely to report a sexual assault. Women who would report a sexual assault to the police not only anticipated that the police would protect them from further victimization by taking the perpetrator into custody, but also that they would deal effectively with the victim's psychological and physical needs. This means that the reporting of sexual assault by victims and victim cooperation in the case requires that police be aware of the dynamics of victim reactions to sexual assault and how to respond most effectively to victim needs. 7 tables and 40 references