NCJ Number
37457
Date Published
1975
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER CONSIDERS THE IMPLICATIONS AND EFFECTS OF RACIAL BIAS, SEXISM, AND MORAL OR CULTURAL VALUES IN THE PART OF POLICE, PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, AND JURIES TOWARD WOMEN REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMIZATIONS.
Abstract
IT ALSO IDENTIFIES SEVERAL LEGISLATIVE CHANGES NEEDED TO BRING THE LAW OF RAPE IN LINE WITH THAT OF OTHER FELONIES IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO REPORT THE CRIME, POLICE AND PROSECUTORS TO APPREHEND AND TRY SUSPECTS, AND JURIES TO CONVICT. RECOMMENDED ARE A REDEFINITION OF THE VICTIM'S PRIOR SEXUAL HISTORY, ELIMINATION OF CORROBORATION REQUIREMENTS, INTRODUCTION OF A 'REASONABLE FEAR' RESISTANCE STANDARD AND REDUCTION OF THE PENALTIES FOR RAPE.