A Systematic Review of Sexual Assault Case Attrition in the U.S. from 2000 to 2020 - CANCELLED

• In Event: Policing Sexual, Domestic, and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This paper systematically reviewed research findings of five sexual assault case outcomes (founding, arrest, referral to prosecution, charging, and conviction) between 2000 and 2020. Thirty-six records (288,066 sexual assault cases) were analyzed. Results were stratified by all reported cases, all referred cases, all charged cases, and by victim age. Studies show that 72.09%–92.66% of cases are founded (M = 89.21%), 17.73%–53.42% result in arrest (M = 27.25%), 13.60%–69.57% result in referral (M = 31.36%), 3.28%–83.16% result in charging (M = 19.58%), and only 1.86%–40.31% result in conviction (M = 8.28%). Case outcomes appeared similar among studies of younger and older victims. Studies were most likely to report arrest rates, followed by charging, referral, conviction, and founding. Overall, we have a good picture of what attrition looks like in adolescent-adult sexual assault cases from the 1980s to early 2010s in the Midwest and Southern CA. More updated research in the remaining parts of the country is needed, particularly from rural locales. Specific recommendations for more precise measurement and reporting methods will be provided to improve our understanding of attrition and strengthen where, how, and with whom interventions are needed.

Authors

• Erin Hoffman, DePaul University

• Emily Patton, Georgia State University

• Megan Greeson, DePaul University