NCJ Number
27657
Date Published
1974
Length
18 pages
Annotation
PROJECT DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF RAPE OFFENDERS BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RAPE CASES REPORTED, VICTIM WILLINGNESS TO PROSECUTE, RAPE ARRESTS, AND THE NUMBER OF RAPE CASES ACCEPTED FOR PROSECUTION.
Abstract
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES INCLUDED DEVELOPING MODEL PROCEDURES FOR RAPE CASE PROCESSING FROM INITIAL REPORT THROUGH PROSECUTION, (2) ESTABLISHING AND EXPANDING VICTIM ADVOCACY SERVICES, (3) EXPANDING MEDICAL CAPABILITY FOR RECEIVING, ASSISTING, AND OBTAINING EVIDENCE FROM RAPE VICTIMS, (4) ESTABLISHING A THIRD PARTY REPORTING SERVICE FOR RAPE VICTIMS, AND (5) CONDUCTING AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO FAMILIARIZE RAPE VICTIMS WITH AVAILABLE SERVICES. SPECIFIC PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN EACH OF THESE AREAS ARE DESCRIBED AND DISCUSSED. COMPARISONS OF PRE AND POST PERIOD DATA SHOWED STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED RAPE CASES, VICTIM WILLINGNESS TO PROSECUTE KNOWN SUSPECTS, AND THE NUMBER OF CASES ACCEPTED AS CHARGED FOR PROSECUTION. BECAUSE OF INCOMPLETE DATA, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE IF ARRESTS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, AND SINCE MANY OF THE CASES REFERRED FOR PROSECUTION DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD WERE STILL PENDING, EVALUATORS COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF RAPE CONVICTIONS, IN ADDITION, DUE TO EVALUATION DESIGN PROBLEMS, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DEFINITELY STATE THAT OBSERVED CHANGES WERE CAUSED BY SPECIFIC COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE UNIT, AND/OR THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)