Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by British Transport Police and Department for England Wales concerning sexual offences harassment public transport worldwide. Specifically, it aims explore prevalence such behaviours, through review existing survey interview data regarding women girls’ experiences. Design/methodology/approach A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, function which to: search literature as comprehensively possible...

Despite an increase in the reporting of rape, convictions England and Wales have fallen significantly recent years. Previous research has found high rape myth acceptance among police officers. Given that act as gatekeepers to criminal justice system, subscribing myths may significant effects upon victim attrition conviction rates. This study explores officers’ use how these impact investigations prosecutions. A total 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with officers from a large...

Abstract Multiple perpetrator rape presents a significant problem nationally and internationally. However, previous research is limited findings are often contradictory. The details of 101 allegations recorded in six-month period large police force England were analysed. Findings presented about case classification, victim characteristics, approach assault location, group composition targeting. discussion the used as basis to explore pitfalls benefits established naming definition this...

Abstract Purpose Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) cases remain under-reported under-prosecuted in the criminal justice system (CJS), with researchers frequently having limited access to raw police data. Here, a range of factors relating DVA offences occurring between 2018 2020 one large English force were described measured. As part research, it was investigated if victim, suspect crime characteristics predicted outcome decisions, specifically charge rate, case attrition, evidential...

Purpose Despite recent increases, the low level of convictions in cases rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO), aligned with subsequent lack victim satisfaction process, has highlighted various challenges barriers throughout criminal justice process. Whilst understanding shortcomings processes RASSO requires a holistic approach, this paper focuses on case preparation application Full Code test. Its purpose is to explore test preceding police decision-making around submitting for charging...

Abstract The policing of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) is increasingly under scrutiny, with rising reporting rates, high attrition ever-decreasing charge conviction rates. Internationally there appear to be common inadequacies in RASSO investigations. Given these issues, specialism may an effective tool improve the investigation RASSO. This article systematically draws together existing literature from around world on use a specialist approach tackling A systematic review was...

This commentary responds to claims that research by Cheryl Thomas ‘shows’ no problem with rape myths in English and Welsh juries. We critique the claim on basis of ambiguous survey design, a false distinction between ‘real’ jurors other participants, conflation attitudes relation abstract versus applied myths, misleading interpretation data. Ultimately, we call for balanced appraisal individual studies contextualising them against wider literature.

Alcohol and drugs have been inextricably linked with sexual assault. Media coverage has increasingly highlighted the health risks facing intoxicated women more recently identified risk of rape as an additional hazard. Using a sample cases reported to police between 1999 2004, this paper establishes that rapes involving intoxicants (alcohol and/or drugs) are distinguishable from those which do not. Further analysis discovered identity parties (i.e. men, women, neither or both) is important in...

Some consistency in existing typologies of rape has been found, which have extended from lone to multiple perpetrator offenses. The current study sought explore the facets multiple-perpetrator (MPR) a sample representative one geographical area. Seventy-five victim statements MPR reported an urban police force United Kingdom were classified into qualitative model denoting offender actions MPR. Four types pathways through produced: violence, criminality, intimacy, and sexuality. Analysis...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by Office Children’s Commissioner (OCC) in England, concerning intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA)/incest. Specifically, it aims explore what known about prevalence, nature, and impact IFCSA where gaps knowledge lie. Design/methodology/approach A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, function which to: search literature as comprehensively possible within given time constraints; collate...

This commentary is a precursor to forthcoming study exploring young men’s consumption of ‘lads’ mags’ – lifestyle magazines aimed at men that feature women in sexualized poses specifically, their implications for attitudes towards and sexual aggression. Here we give an overview existing research has informed our questions, order initiate discussions about the impacts lads’ mags on male readers. We argue increasingly media environment, serve as powerful tool mainstreaming sexist images...

Research has suggested that some magazines targeted at young men - lads' mags are normalizing extreme sexist views by presenting those in a mainstream context. Consistent with this view, Study 1 (n = 90) identified more derogatory quotes about women drawn from recent mags, and interviews convicted rapists, when were attributed to than they rapists. In 2, 40 could not reliably judge the source of same quotes. While these participants sometimes voiced belief content was 'normal' while rapists'...

Purpose Several studies have been conducted to understand why the conviction rate for rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) remains so low. Increasing pressure criticism led questioning improvements in RASSO investigations are proving ineffective. The purpose of this study was capture police officers’ perspective specialism while investigating RASSO. Design/methodology/approach A total 82 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collection spanned across two years, from October...

Abstract Building on previous research which identified alcohol as the drug of choice for facilitating sexual assaults, this paper analysed 93 rape cases reported to police in victim was under influence drugs/alcohol when assault occurred. The aim explore what substances victims consumed become incapacitated and who induced state incapacity. degree pre-planning suggests that offender could be described opportunistic or predatory. Findings demonstrated majority rapes (coming notice) drugs are...

In the year ending March 2020, an estimated 773,000 people in England and Wales were sexually assaulted. These types of crimes have lasting effects on victims' mental health, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder. There is a large body literature which identifies several factors associated with likelihood victim reporting sexual assault to police, these differences may be due rape myth stereotypes perpetuate belief that only "real" under certain conditions. Less...

Sexual age‐of‐consent violations involving adult–adolescent relationships (AARs) are sometimes viewed with ambivalence by the media and infrequently prosecuted. Two studies conducted in Britain (where age of consent is 16) examined influences on disapproval minimally presented AARs between a 14‐year‐old 30‐year‐old. In Study 1, an older man were seen as more harmful objectionable than those woman. A second study jury‐eligible adult population replicated 1's gender effects, also found...