NCJ Number
42385
Date Published
1976
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT TAKES A LOOK AT THE GROWING DISPARITY BETWEEN THE OCCURRENCE OF RAPE AND THE REPORTING OF IT TO THE POLICE. IT DISCUSSES WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE THE SITUATION.
Abstract
A VARIETY OF REASONS MAY BE GIVEN TO EXPLAIN LACK OF REPORTING: 1) A NOTICEABLE LACK OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RESPONDS TO CRIME COMPLAINTS; 2) A FEAR, OFTEN FOUNDED, THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES WILL BE INSENSITIVE TO THE VICTIM IN PROCESSING THESE CASES; 3) A FEAR OF PUBLIC RECOGNITION OR STIGMATISM; 4) A FEAR OF OFFENDER RETALIATION, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INEFFICIENCY DUE TO THE VICTIM'S LACK OF INFORMATION ON WHAT PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN EVIDENCE NECESSARY FOR ARREST AND SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED, BASED UPON A PROGRAM YIELDING GENERALLY SUCCESSFUL RESULTS IN SEATTLE, THAT AN INTERMEDIARY AGENCY COULD BEST REDUCE THE DISPARITY BETWEEN ACTUAL CRIME OCCURRENCES AND ITS REPORTING TO THE POLICE. IT WAS FELT THAT BY DEVELOPING PROCEDURES THAT WOULD STANDARDIZE TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES TO THE CRIME, DEVELOPING A CORE OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO OFFER COUNSELING AND ACT PHYSICALLY AS THE INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VICTIM, DISSEMINATING VOLUMINOUS AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AS TO HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS, HOW TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE, HOW TO PROTECT ONESELF FROM BEING VICTIMIZED, AND BY SUPPLYING DATA IN THE FORM OF THIRD-PARTY REPORTS, THE ABOVE MENTIONED DISPARITY OF ACTUAL AND REPORTED OCCURRENCES COULD BE LESSENED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)....BDS