Barriers to Reporting Rape: Lessons Learned from the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline

• In Event: Reporting Victimization to the Police

Abstract

In the aftermath of rape, informal disclosure and help-seeking are important steps in a multi-stage process that may lead to prosecution. An anonymous hotline provides a unique source of support for victims to discuss concerns and obtain information safely and securely. This investigation extends the literature on barriers to reporting rape through analysis of anonymous data from the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (NSAOH). Preliminary analyses focus on hotline users who identified as victims of a rape incident that took place within the last year (N=768). Notably, 37% of the rape victims in the sample had not disclosed their assault to anyone prior to contacting the hotline. Of victims who discussed barriers to reporting (22%, N = 169), frequently discussed barriers included: not wanting anyone to know (50%), concerns about not being believed (37%), thinking nothing would be done (23%), fear of being assaulted again by the offender (22%), and lack of proof that the incident occurred (17%). This presentation will also report key characteristics (e.g., victim-perpetrator relationship) that meaningfully relate to barriers to reporting.

Author

• Kimberly L. Goodman, Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network