Sexual Assault: The Effect of Racial/Ethnic Dyads on the Police Decision to Arrest

• In Event: The Intersections of Race, Ethnicity and Gender: A Focus on Crime and Case Outcomes

Abstract

The sexual stratification hypothesis suggests that criminal justice responses to victimization will differ depending on the victim and suspect racial/ethnic dyad (LaFree, 1989). Previous research examining the sexual stratification hypothesis, however, has resulted in mixed findings (see Spohn & Tellis, 2012). In addition, research to date has primarily focused on court processes and work examining arrest decisions is dated.. There remains substantial opportunity for testing the sexual stratification hypothesis at response stages apart from the court level (i.e. arrest). Using quantitative data on 944 sexual assault complaints that were reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 2008, this study examines the effect of the victim/suspect racial/ethnic composition dyad on the decision to arrest. Specifically, this paper will compare whites assaulted by blacks to whites assaulted by whites and Latinos; Latinas assaulted by whites, blacks, and Latinos; and blacks assaulted by blacks.

Authors

• Eryn O'Neal, Arizona State University

• Cassia Spohn, Arizona State University