Improving victim engagement and officer response in rape investigations: A longitudinal assessment of a brief training

Scott M. Mourtgos, Ian T. Adams and Sharon H. Mastracci

Journal of Criminal Justice, 2021, vol. 74, issue C

Abstract: The initial interaction between rape victims and police officers affects how cases progress through the criminal justice system. In one US state capitol, the police agency determined its initial response to rape victims was sub-par. Victim engagement was low, and officer-written reports often endorsed negative stereotypes about rape victims. A four-hour training to enhance police response was developed and implemented. Within four months, all sworn officers (n ~ 600) completed an in-person, four-hour training. We first test the effects of training on the percentage of rape victims who stay engaged in the investigative process following their initial contact with officers. We then use a machine-learning-based text analysis of all written reports (77 pre-training, and 55 post-training cases) of initial contacts between officers and victims. Compared to the six months before training, victim engagement improved 32% in the post-training period. Written reports by officers also improved, with increased victim-supportive language and improved focus on victim services.

Keywords: Police training; Victim engagement; Rape investigation; Text analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0047235221000386

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2021.101818

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