BackHome
Refresh: OffView Personal Schedule
Session Submission Summary

Roundtable: Gender-based/Sexual Violence - Cultural Values and Organizational Reasons for Underreporting and Under-prosecution

Fri, Nov 15, 8:00 to 9:20am, Golden Gate Salon B, Area 3, B2 Level

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract/Description

Rape victims may remain silent because of personal attributes (e.g., shame; just world belief: community assistance (not feeling supported by the community), societal characteristics (blame the victim instead of the offender). Police, prosecutors, and judges who process reported violent sexual crime may discourage victims - through tacit or overt messages - from continuing their cases, or resolution through other means.
A problem all over the world, underreported rape highly correlates to policies and cultural beliefs of criminal justice professionals. Effective education and training are central to improve formal responses to sexual violence. Further, organizational development within the police sector can play a crucial role in enhancing trust between practitioners and those they serve. The aims of this roundtable are: 1) to articulate systemic shortcomings in these areas; 2) to identify best practices in Europe, the US, and elsewhere in the world; and 3) to influence and improve practices of law enforcement in handling rape cases, including discussion of how community policing efforts can improve societal responses to those who endure gender-based/sexual violence. Discussants will address cultural and organizational reasons for underreporting rape across several nations and cultures, and will consider a range of extant and proposed remedies.

Sub Unit

Division of Special Interest

Individual Presentations