Can Police Action Deter Rape - Two Views, Preventing Rape - An Evaluation of a Multi-Faceted Program

• NCJ Number: 92873
• Journal: Police Studies Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1983-84) Pages: 30-36
• Author(s): G F Vito; D R Longmire; J P Kenney
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper prepared for presentation at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Research Issues in Crime panel, March 25, 1982.

Annotation

The police approach to rape must be sensitive to the victims' needs if rapists are to be apprehended and convicted.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a police department-based rape victim counseling program. The West Orange County Rape Prevention/Awareness Program (California) centered on the use of a counselor to deal with the problems associated with the prevention and investigation of the crime. This special office had formal ties to the police department. The counselor provided around-the-clock assistance to victims; conducted special officer training classes to enhance police receptivity to the rape victim; and delivered public lectures about rapists and rape prevention. During the first 12 months the program was studied, the rape clearance rate was 28 percent; it rose to 80 percent in the next 6 months. Before the program, the average conviction rate for rape in Orange County was 18 percent; after the program began, it rose to 80 percent. Four notes, 23 references, and 2 tables are provided.