Investigating acknowledgment of unwanted sexual experiences in college women

The purpose of the current study was to enhance knowledge about the specific factors that make it more likely for women to acknowledge and label unwanted sexual experiences as rape. Previous research on acknowledgement has investigated both individual and situational variables to examine differences between unacknowledged and acknowledged victims and to determine which variables best predict acknowledgement. This study aimed to further contribute to this literature by proposing a multivariate model of acknowledgement that included (1) previously-researched variables found to significantly predict acknowledgement, (2) variables that have not been previously examined, and (3) interactions between these newly-proposed variables. Seven variables were statistically significant predictors of acknowledgement. Odds of acknowledging rape increased as participants' reported age, prior experience of abuse, level of physical resistance/physical force, and degree of distress increased. Odds of acknowledging rape decreased as participants' reported level of offender intoxication increased. Additional results revealed that perceived future control significantly predicted acknowledgement at varying levels of feminist/egalitarian identity. These findings provide further insight into the factors predicting acknowledgement as well as the possible benefits to not acknowledge rape. Finally, potential future areas of research are discussed

“At Least They’re Workin’ on My Case?” Victim Notification in Sexual Assault “Cold” Cases

Sexual assault is a significantly under-reported, -investigated, and -prosecuted crime in the United States, which criminal justice and advocacy actors across the country are working to address. Law enforcement procedures often involve providing crime victims, including sexual assault victims, with written notification by mail about the status of their case, but little is known about the best practices for victim notification in sexual assault "cold" cases. This qualitative research explored whether this standard law enforcement practice was appropriate for sexual assault victims in “cold cases” particularly when there had been no contact from law enforcement, despite forensic evidence having been tested. The research questions were what do sexual assault victims in cold cases have to say about victim notification protocols and practices? and What do sexual assault victims in cold cases have to say about hypothetical written victim notification protocols? Twenty-three sexual assault victims were asked in focus groups and individual interviews to respond to hypothetical written notification letters for content and the sending authority and to give input on alternative modes of communication. The data were analyzed using grounded theory. Themes related to trust, personal agency, and decision making from notification examples emerged. Recommendations on notification included respecting privacy, including specifics, identifying next steps, normalizing, translating, and providing resources. Implications for developing notification protocols include use of emerging evidence about neurobiology of trauma, use of victim input, and patience for the varying reactions and needs of sexual assault victims.Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA