Solving the problem of untested evidence in sexual assaults

Increasing numbers of female victims of violent sexual assaults are being murdered with the aim of concealing the identity of the perpetrator. Proper handling and analysis of evidence is very important in gaining a conviction in many criminal cases. After evidence is collected, due precautions must be taken to ensure that the integrity of the sample is maintained, and chances of contamination are minimised. This paper presents a case study where improper handling of biological evidence led to loss of evidentiary value, and the semen could not be located on the vaginal swabs and victim’s garments due to improper preservation of samples. However, the DNA from the nail of a decomposed finger helped identify the victim, and the suspect was apprehended based on the clues given by her family.

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Dispelling a Myth: Reevaluating the Predictive Validity of Rape Myth Acceptance for Likelihood of Engaging in Sexual Violence

Sexual Abuse ◽

10.1177/10790632211026287 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107906322110262

Author(s):

Annabelle Frazier ◽

Joseph E. Gonzales

Keyword(s):

Violence Prevention ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Predictive Power ◽

Rape Myths ◽

Criminal History ◽

College Campuses ◽

Rape Myth ◽

Sexual Assaults ◽

College Age ◽

Recent Attention

Sexual violence prevention on college campuses has received significant recent attention. A prevalent intervention paradigm has centered around re-educating young people around consent and reduce endorsement of “rape myths,” based on the correlation between rape myths and sexual violence incidents. Yet many of these programs have not measurably reduced sexual assaults. We evaluated the predictive value of a rape myth measure, as compared with other predictors (criminal history, childhood victimization, aggressive tendencies, substance use, and empathy), in predicting self-reported acts of forcible and incapacitated sexual assault in college-age men ( N = 304) from 45 U.S. states. Across three logistic regression model pairs, rape myths were weakly associated with violence when considered as sole predictors. However, this predictive power dissipated when other predictors were included. Comprehensive models accounted significantly better for variability in outcomes; with criminal history demonstrating consistent predictive effects. Based on these findings, we recommend further research into prevention programming based on other predictors of violence.

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Making the Call: College Students’ Legal Consciousness and Hypothetical Activation of Police for Sexual Assaults

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/10778012211021121 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122110211

Author(s):

Trish Oberweis ◽

Dayna Henry ◽

Stacey Griner ◽

Ekaterina Gorislavsky

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Sexual Contact ◽

Legal Consciousness ◽

Sexual Assault Prevention ◽

Sexual Assaults ◽

Assault Victims ◽

Definition Of ◽

Willingness To Report ◽

Assault Prevention

Research has identified the necessity of sexual assault victims to label their experience as criminal to initiate reporting. However, barriers exist in labeling uninvited sexual contact as criminal. This study examined college students’ assessments of whether eight nonconsensual behaviors met the legal definition of sexual assault, and whether such behaviors should be reported to police. Results indicated students acknowledged the nonconsensual behaviors as criminal; however, gaps were identified between awareness that the acts were criminal and willingness to report to police. Findings demonstrate a need for continued efforts for sexual assault prevention among college students.

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