A Comparison of Sexual Assault Across the Life Span: Do Emerging Adults Experience the Criminal Justice System in the Same Way as Older Adults?

• In Event: Sexual Assault and Emerging Adults

Abstract

Little is known about the experiences of emerging adults in the criminal justice system—particularly in response to sexual assault despite the particular risk of college students for sexual violence (c.f. Fisher at al. 2000). These studies tend to focus on college populations rather than the larger emerging adult population—ignoring those young people not enrolled in traditional college settings. This population of non-college enrolled emerging adults is also ignored in the academic literature. These studies lump emerging adults in the same category as older adults. Yet, based on the extant knowledge of emerging adulthood, it is likely that their experiences in the criminal justice system may differ greatly from older adults.

Using data collected from sexual assault reports to six police departments and their corresponding prosecuting agencies across the United States, we compare the trajectory of cases for emerging adults with their older counterparts. We examine the major decision making points to understand how these cases are treated differently. Case maps provide visual documentation of the decision to arrest, prosecute and plea bargain sexual assault complaints. Findings enhance the literature on emerging adulthood and inform strategies for improving the criminal justice response to this population.

Authors

• April Pattavina, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

• Linda M. Williams, Wellesley Centers for Women

• Melissa S. Morabito, University of Massachusetts, Lowell