Victim Characteristics and Case Attrition: How Who Gets Raped Impacts Sexual Assault Case Attrition

• In Event: New Findings on Sexual Violence Case Attrition: Progress and Recession in Bridging the Justice Gap

Abstract

In our cross-jurisdiction study of case processing of 3478 reports of sexual assault in six police departments located across the United States, we examine case attrition and the factors associated with exceptional clearance, arrest, prosecution, and conviction. We found there is substantial attrition in sexual assault cases with fewer than one in five reported cases being cleared by an arrest and most of these cases never going forward to prosecution. Our research reveals that case attrition is influenced by a variety of legal and extralegal factors. In this paper we present findings on the influence of the characteristics of the victim and her behavior prior to or following the alleged rape on the case outcome. We consider our findings within theoretical contexts related to policing, prosecution, and justice. The paper concludes with recommendations for improvements in justice system practice and policies.

Authors

• Linda M. Williams, Wellesley Centers for Women

• April Pattavina, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Melissa Morabito, University of Massachusetts Lowell