Journal article
The New Trial by Ordeal: Rape Kits, Police Practices, and the Unintended Effects of Policy Innovation
Law & social inquiry, v 38(4), pp 920-949
2013
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
One of the most highly touted improvements in the criminal justice response to rape has been the wide‐scale adoption of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs that provide specialized medical care and forensic evidence collection to victims. Though previous studies have emphasized the benefits of SANE programs in improving criminal case outcomes, this study illustrates how the post‐rape forensic examination can also discourage reporting, investigation, and prosecution. Interviews with local rape care advocates across the United States show how the increasing emphasis on forensic evidence collected through rape kits may provide an opportunity to reflect and enact persistent law enforcement stereotypes toward sexual assault complainants. Unless police resistance to taking rape seriously is confronted and addressed, even well‐intentioned policy reforms such as SANE programs may end up undermining—rather than enhancing—fair and thorough investigation of sexual assault allegations.
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Details
- Title
- The New Trial by Ordeal: Rape Kits, Police Practices, and the Unintended Effects of Policy Innovation
- Creators
- Rose Corrigan - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Law & social inquiry, v 38(4), pp 920-949
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 30
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Politics; Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000329287700006
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84885837840
- Other Identifier
- 991019167746704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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- Web of Science research areas
- Law