scholarly journals Attrition and Conviction Rates of Sexual Offences in Europe: Definitions and Criminal Justice Responses

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg-Martin Jehle
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sexual Offences

scholarly journals Challenges of Effective Communication in the Criminal Justice Process: Findings from Interviews with Victims of Sexual Offences in Australia

Laws ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Davies ◽  
Lorana Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Justice Process ◽  
Criminal Justice Process

This article focuses on gendered experiences of the criminal justice system, specifically the experiences of adult female victims of sexual offending and the communication difficulties they experience during the criminal justice process. Drawing on the findings from qualitative interviews about sentencing with six victims and 15 justice professionals in Australia, we compare the lived experiences of the victims with the perceptions of the justice professionals who work with them, revealing a significant gap between the information justice professionals believe they are providing and the information victims recall receiving. We then analyse the international literature to distil effective communication strategies, with the goal of improving victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system as a whole. Specifically, we recommend verbal communication skills training for justice professionals who work with victims of crime and the development of visual flowcharts to help victims better understand the criminal justice process. We also recommend that Australian victims’ rights regimes be reformed to place the responsibility for providing information about the criminal process on the relevant justice agencies, rather than requiring the victim to seek this information, and suggest piloting automated notification systems to help agencies fulfil their obligations to provide victims with such information.

The judicial pursuit of the sexual victimization of children

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-144
Author(s):  
Josep M Tamarit Sumalla ◽  
Mª Jesús Guardiola Lago ◽  
Albert Padró-Solanet ◽  
Patricia Hernández-Hidalgo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Judicial Decision ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Judicial Decision Making ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Low Rate

This article analyses the criminal justice system’s treatment of those sexual offences against children of which it is made aware. The findings reported in this article draw on a quantitative study based on data ( n = 97) taken from judicial files from a province of Catalonia, Spain. The study examines prosecution, trial and conviction rates, analysing the possible variables involved to provide a better understanding of the reasons behind the successful prosecution of complaints made. The study points to a low rate of prosecution, similar to other studies carried out in English-speaking countries. This leads us to conclude that differences in legal systems do not give rise to significant differences in dealing with cases. There is no evidence that a legalistic system such as that of Spain acts as a restraining element against the influence of non-legal factors in the judicial decision-making process. However, similarities with other studies are not found with regards to some factors associated with it. The findings provide no confirmation of the hypothesis that the Spanish criminal justice system is particularly reluctant to prosecute cases of intrafamilial victimization.

Legality and Reality: Some Lessons from the Pitcairn Islands

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-88
Author(s):  
Fran Wright
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Criminal Offence ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Remote Island ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Made In

This article considers the decision to prosecute a number of Pitcairn islanders for offences under the UK Sexual Offences Act 1956, and some aspects of the organisation of the prosecutions. The islanders complained that the prosecutions were an abuse of process because the content of the law was unascertainable and the legislation governing their trials was retrospective. The abuse of process claims were rejected. There was a mechanism by which islanders could ask the island officials and legal advisers for advice. It was predictable that non-consensual sexual intercourse would be a criminal offence. They were not prejudiced in any way by the late constitution of a criminal justice system. Although some of the decisions made in the Pitcairn case were questionable from a formalist point of view, most were fair in the peculiar circumstances of this small and remote island. The idea of the rule of law and of a fair trial cannot be divorced from the context in which criminal justice decisions are taken.

scholarly journals Court support workers speak out: Upholding children’s rights in the criminal justice system

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loraine Townsend ◽  
Samantha Waterhouse ◽  
Christina Nomdo
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Victims Of Sexual Abuse

The prevalence of sexual offences against children in South Africa continues to be among the highest in the world. The quality and accuracy of a child’s testimony is often pivotal to whether cases are prosecuted, and whether justice is done. Child witness programmes assist child victims of sexual abuse to prepare to give consistent, coherent and accurate testimony, and also attempt to ensure that the rights of the child are upheld as enshrined in the various laws, legislative frameworks, directives and instructions that have been introduced since 1994. We draw on information from two studies that sought the perspectives of court support workers to explore whether a child rights-based approach is followed in the criminal justice system (CJS) for child victims of sexual abuse. Findings suggest varying degrees of protection, assistance and support for child victims of sexual abuse during participation in the CJS. The findings revealed that the rights of children to equality, dignity and not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way were undermined in many instances. Finally, recommendations are given on ways to mitigate the harsh effects that adversarial court systems have on children’s rights.

Researching sensitive topics for the police – insights from the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-100
Author(s):  
Colin Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Sensitive Topics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how practical research can be undertaken into sensitive issues within the criminal justice system having cognisance of the needs of those subject to the research process. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods design which was complicated due to the subject matter being explored, that of historical reporting of sexual offences. Confidential questionnaires and focus group method utilised, but in constant contact with specialised victim support service to ensure rights of victims understood and interwoven into the design. Findings Even though there are some very sensitive areas within the criminal justice system where it is believed research is difficult to undertake, it can be achieved by constant reference to the needs of the victim and strict confidentiality. Given the right circumstances and approach, research into what has been previously considered areas of difficulty can be researched effectively. Research limitations/implications Due to the research methods explored an utilised, a template for research methodology can be seen which can be transferred into any other sensitive topic that requires research. In addition, by undertaking this method, previously unheard voices of victims of historical crimes can be utilised to inform official policy and practice. However, a limitation of the approach can be the low number of respondents wishing to take part. Practical implications Victims have an opportunity to influence public policy. The methods utilised “opens up” the possibility for replication of research into other sensitive areas of the CJS. The methods utilised involved a number of Criminal Justice Agencies which assisted in maximising their understanding of victims experiences thorough the partnership approach. The research methods and results influencing training methods of the police as first responders to such incidents. Social implications The social implications of this paper are that it will encourage other researchers not to be afraid of what appears to be “hard to reach” and sensitive topics in terms of social science research. This will allow for greater numbers of marginalised individuals and victims to engage and influence the criminal justice system, thereby influencing public policy and improving the way victims of crime are treated. Originality/value This paper is one of the few, if any, that explores ethical problems and sensitive topics such as historical reporting of sexual offences. It will have resonance for those who wish to undertake similar types of research.

Forensic psychiatry

2013 ◽  
pp. 669-724
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Forensic Psychiatry ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
System P ◽  
Specific Disorders

Introduction The criminal justice system Crime Homicide Violence 1: theoretical background Violence 2 Sexual offences 1 Sexual offences 2 Stalking Other offences Mental disorder and offending 1: overview Mental disorder and offending 2: specific disorders and offending Assessing risk of violence Secure hospitals and units...

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