[De]-Centering the Victim: Police Perceptions of Victims of Sexual Violence through a Comparative Lens of Evidence Collection and Processing

Police are central to the statutory response to sexual violence, shaping the direction an investigation may take. Evidence provided by victims is also key to the processing of sexual assault cases. From a 2013 comparative qualitative study involving interviews with police officers in one province in Canada ( n = 11) and one region in Scotland ( n = 10) who investigate such cases, we discovered striking unanticipated differences between the two groups in terms of how they perceived victims and the evidence they provide. This paper presents a thematic analysis of these data and considers possible implications and explanations.

“I Was Worried I Wouldn't Be Believed”: Sexual Assault Victims' Perceptions of the Police in the Decision to Not Report

Most sexual assault victims make the conscious decision to not report to the police. Concerns about the police appear to be prominent in victims' decision-making, but we do not know specifically what these concerns entail, and therefore cannot address them. A qualitative inquiry is needed to understand perceptions of the police in reporting decisions, from the voices of victims themselves. Participants (N = 175) responded to an open-ended survey question about their decision to not report to the police following sexual victimization. Analyses revealed that police perceptions shaped the decision to not report for 36% (n = 63) of participants. Nonreporting decisions related to the police fell into two themes: concerns of police treatment and previous/vicarious negative experiences with the police. We include recommendations for police and a call for alternative reporting options.

Police Perceptions of Children at Drug-Related Crime Scenes

Drug use is on the rise in the United States, and many individuals who use drugs are also parents of children under 18. Although research has been conducted to explore police officer perceptions of drug use, no research to date has examined officers’ perceptions when children are present at drug-related calls. This is an important area to investigate because police perceptions have the ability to influence the way they behave. In the current study, 12 officers employed in Indiana completed a demographic questionnaire and a semistructured interview, which was analyzed using the consensual qualitative research (CQR) method. Results revealed that police perceptions of children present at drug-related crime scenes could be impacted by the age of the children and whether they believe the children had received negative messages about police. Additionally, findings revealed that officers tend to feel anger toward caregivers, believe that the children are being told that police are bad, indicated that their jobs are impacted by needing to find placement for the children, and want to have positive interactions with the children. On a personal level, officers reported coping with stress by not showing emotions, not bringing work home, and participating in hobbies. Officers also reported seeing addiction as a cycle. Limitations include lack of diversity of gender, race, and location of police officers; further, all but one officer interviewed had children. Findings highlight a need for further research to help shape policy surrounding training of and expectations for officers when children are present at drug-related crime scenes.