An Examination of Women’s Experiences with Reporting Sexual Victimization Behind Prison Walls

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 559-580
Author(s):  
April Surrell ◽  
Ida M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Women Inmates ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Correctional Institutions ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Fear Of Retaliation

Women inmates in a southern women’s minimum security facility were interviewed to explore their perceptions of and experiences with reporting sexual victimization in the context of the post-PREA era. The interviewees identified stigma and gossip, officer camaraderie, and fear of retaliation as the dominant barriers to reporting and investigating incidents of sexual assault. The article concludes with recommendations to improve sexual assault training and education in women’s correctional institutions.

scholarly journals Sexual Assault: Indigenous Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110139
Author(s):  
Jodie Murphy-Oikonen ◽  
Lori Chambers ◽  
Karen McQueen ◽  
Alexa Hiebert ◽  
Ainsley Miller
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Secondary Data Analysis ◽  
Indigenous Women ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Way

Rates of sexual victimization among Indigenous women are 3 times higher when compared with non-Indigenous women. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to explore the experiences and recommendations of Indigenous women who reported sexual assault to the police and were not believed. This qualitative study of the experiences of 11 Indigenous women reflects four themes. The women experienced (a) victimization across the lifespan, (b) violent sexual assault, (c) dismissal by police, and (d) survival and resilience. These women were determined to voice their experience and make recommendations for change in the way police respond to sexual assault.

scholarly journals Unfounded Sexual Assault: Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097819
Author(s):  
Jodie Murphy-Oikonen ◽  
Karen McQueen ◽  
Ainsley Miller ◽  
Lori Chambers ◽  
Alexa Hiebert
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Impact

One in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Although less than 5% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, one in five cases reported to police are deemed baseless (by police) and therefore coded as “unfounded.” Police officers are in a unique position to act as gatekeepers for justice in sexual assault cases, given their responsibility to investigate sexual assault reports. However, high rates of unfounded sexual assaults reveal that dismissing sexual violence has become common practice amongst the police. Much of the research on unfounded sexual assault is based on police perceptions of the sexual assault, as indicated in police reports. Women’s perspectives about their experiences with police are not represented in research. This qualitative study explored women’s experiences when their sexual assault report was disbelieved by the police. Data collection included open-ended and semi-structured interviews with 23 sexual assault survivors. Interviews covered four areas including the sexual assault, the experience with the police, the experience of not being believed, and the impact on their health and well-being. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVIVO for analysis. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s analytic method, resulting in the identification of four themes, including, (a) vulnerability, (b) drug and alcohol use during the assault, (c) police insensitivity, and (d) police process. The women in this study who experienced a sexual assault and reported the assault to police were hopeful that police would help them and justice would be served. Instead, these women were faced with insensitivity, blaming questions, lack of investigation, and lack of follow-up from the police, all of which contributed to not being believed by the institutions designed to protect them. The findings from this research demonstrate that police officers must gain a deeper understanding of trauma and sensitive communication with survivors of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault and Justice for Older Women: A Critical Review of the Literature

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 496-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Fileborn
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Tailored Approach ◽  
Health Impairments

This article provides a critical review of current literature on the sexual assault of older women—including an exploration of the specific features and emotional and physical impacts of older women’s experiences—and highlights current gaps and future directions for research, practice, and theory. A review of the literature indicates that older women constitute only a small proportion of victim/survivors. However, there is evidence to suggest that existing research underestimates the extent of this issue. Older women face particular barriers to disclosure and accessing the justice system, resulting in their experiences remaining hidden. Many of these barriers also contribute toward older women’s experiences being ignored, dismissed, or downplayed by potential bystanders. These barriers are explored in depth in this article and include cultural context, ageism, cognitive and health impairments, and living in a residential care setting. Responding to, and preventing, the sexual assault of older women requires a tailored approach—and we currently lack sufficient insight to develop appropriate responses. In closing, this article considers how we might work toward achieving “justice” for older women victim/survivors.

Responding to Incidents of Sexual Victimization in Correctional Institutions: Correctional Officer Perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (15) ◽  
pp. 1651-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie L. Cook ◽  
Jodi Lane
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Correctional Officers ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Correctional Officer ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Correctional Institutions ◽  
Correctional Policy ◽  
And Training

This study examined beliefs among correctional officers about responding to inmate-on-inmate sexual assault in jails. It is unique in its focus as no other published study has examined this topic using these variables in this setting. The authors utilize survey methodology to measure correctional officer perceptions about responding to sexual assaults among inmates. Results indicate that support for responding to instances of sexual assault among inmates differs somewhat by type of response and size of jail facility examined. Multivariate results suggest that while perceptions of inmate credibility are usually relevant, demographic factors matter more for those who work in larger jails, while beliefs about rape myths are somewhat more relevant in smaller jails. Implications for correctional policy and training and avenues for continued research are discussed.

College Women's Experiences with Physically Forced, Alcohol- or Other Drug-Enabled, and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Before and Since Entering College

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 639-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Krebs ◽  
Christine H. Lindquist ◽  
Tara D. Warner ◽  
Bonnie S. Fisher ◽  
Sandra L. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences
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