TWICE TRAUMATIZED - THE RAPE VICTIM AND THE COURT

• NCJ Number: 25341
• Journal: Judicature Volume: 58 Issue: 8 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 390-399
• Author(s): C Bohmer; A Blumberg
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: American Judicature Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE ROLE OF THE RAPE VICTIM IN THE COURT SYSTEM IS EXAMINED, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE PROBLEMS OF POST-RAPE ADJUSTMENT AND OF LEGAL AND PERSONAL TREATMENT OF THE VICTIM.

Abstract

DATA FOR THE STUDY WERE OBTAINED THROUGH OBSERVATION OF 17 RAPE TRIALS AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE PERSONNEL WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THOSE 17 RAPE VICTIMS, PRINCIPALLY THE POLICE DETECTIVE, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, AND THE JUDGE. THE ATTITUDES OF THESE PERSONS TOWARD THE VICTIM, AS WELL AS THEIR PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPATION IN THE CASE, ARE ANALYZED. SUCH TRIAL ELEMENTS AS THE ROLE OF THE VICTIM AS A PROSECUTION WITNESS, DELAYS IN THE COURT PROCESS, AND THE ISSUE OF CONSENT BY THE VICTIM ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. SIX SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR OFFERING RAPE VICTIMS GREATER SOCIAL AND LEGAL SUPPORT IN THE POST-RAPE ADJUSTMENT AND TRIAL PERIOD.