This study tested an underlying assumption of professionals who interview young children with anatomically correct dolls: children who have been sexually abused react differently to interviews with the dolls than children who have not been sexually abused. The behavior of a group of children who were referred to a mental health clinic in the southwestern United States because of suspected sexual abuse was compared to the behavior of a group of children referred to the same clinic for other reasons while the children were interviewed by clinicians using anatomically correct dolls. The study examined four categories of behavior which consisted of indicators of child sexual abuse from the literature. The four categories were: (1) sexual behavior; (2) anger/aggression; (3) anxiety/regression; and (4) avoidant behavior. Clinicians at the mental health clinic identified potential subjects for the study from the outpatient population. Parents were given written and verbal descriptions of the study and asked to contact the researcher if they were interested in allowing their child to participate. The voluntary nature of participation in the study was stressed. Eleven children who were referred because of suspected sexual abuse and eleven children referred for other reasons were successfully recruited. Groups were matched as closely as possible as to sex, age, racial/ethnic group and developmental level. Two dependent measures were employed: the Behavioral Checklist and the Likelihood of Victimization Scale. Both instruments were designed for the research study. The Behavioral Checklist was completed by two observers who watched each interview from behind a one-way mirror. The Likelihood of Victimization Scale was completed by the clinicians who interviewed the children. Observers as well as interviewers were blind to the referral status of the children. Statistically significant differences were obtained for two of the four categories of the Behavioral Checklist. The same two categories correlated significantly with the Likelihood of Victimization Scale. The results provided support for the assumption tested.

Approximately one in four women experience sexual violence in college. Public institutions of higher education identify professionals specifically responsible for Title IX compliance, campus grievance processes, and survivor advocacy. Success in these roles depends upon a variety of institutional, legal, and procedural factors, and the ability to balance compliance, accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and care for students in pursuit of institutional justice. However, the literature has failed to acknowledge the complexities and individual cost of serving in these contentious roles. Moreover, facets of organizational culture can hinder grievance professionals' efficacy in fulfilling their duties, facilitating consistent and fair resolutions, and ensuring just outcomes. This exploratory, qualitative study sought to fill the literature gap and add insight into the experiences and perspectives of student conduct, Title IX, and advocacy professionals at multiple public institutions by seeking to understand individual actions, values, and responses in light of organizational structures, institutional policies, leadership, grievance models, and power dynamics. Data indicated that professionals involved in campus grievance endure severe emotional strain in their efforts to facilitate justice, especially if their own values and principles are misaligned with those of institutional leaders, policies, grievance processes, or outcomes. Moreover, the findings suggest that such misalignment diminishes professional efficacy, which increases stress, fatigue, and leads to burnout, thereby decreasing the likelihood of realizing justice. Recommendations include revisions to graduate education, reimagined compelled disclosure policies, the need for employee support programs, and a call for further accountability of institutional leaders. Finally, an alternative paradigm is explicated for moral and justice-centered resolutions of campus sexual assault.

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Investigating a crime of rape relies heavily upon physical evidence, which provides the court with tangible objects that are not subject to memory loss. The recognition ofphysical evidence plays a critical role in the investigation process. The first step of crime scene investigation is to conduct observation to locate valuable physical evidence; a task that depends on the skills of the investigating officer. The more common types of physical evidence that could link a suspect to the crime were identified in this study. This dissertation endeavours to provide crime scene investigators with answers on how to conduct observation at a rape crime scene. This research is based on interviews and a literature study, and will furnish insight and information about the observation process at rape crime scenes. The findings of the research may generate guidelines for crime scene observation. Recommendations and conclusions are indicated in the final chapter. / Police Practice / M. Tech (Forensic Investigation)

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

In this research, the first report statement is evaluated, in order to establish whether the information contained in the first report statement is considered during rape investigations. The researcher explored how investigators and public prosecutors utilise the first report statements in order to ensure an effective criminal justice system. The researcher made use of (a) an empirical design, because of the limited information available on the research topic, and (b) a qualitative research approach – which enabled real-life observations. Simple random sampling was used to select 28 investigators of rape and sexual offence related cases, four (4) prosecutors attached to sexual offences courts, and one (1) advocate from Gauteng North High Court. Data was obtained through interviews, a literature study, and case docket analysis. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigations)

In South African Law, sex work is currently mainly dealt with in terms of the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act 32 of 2007, although other legislation, such as the Aliens Control Act 3 of 1993 also contains provisions that are peripherally relevant to sex work. In addition, municipal by-laws play an important role in the regulation of sex work, especially outdoor sex work. These by-laws are often aimed at addressing the more visible aspects of outdoor sex work. This dissertation aims to analyse the policing methods used by the police when policing sex work in Sunnyside, and whether the police have the ability and capacity to enforce current legislation in this regard. The enormous incidents of dehumanization and abuse of sex workers by the police who are supposed to enforce the Sexual Offences Act 32 of 2007 and the previous legislation on sex work questions whether the police should be given more or less powers in dealing with this crime. This dissertation aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of relevant literature in order to provide a background for the discussion on the origins of sex work and the different legal models for dealing with sex work. The study also endeavours to establish a frame of reference for considering different legal models to deal with sex work and to identify different policies and legal approaches to sex work, and to consider the impact of the current laws regulating sex workers and the harm that result from this. The dissertation aims to explore and describe the challenges that the police in Sunnyside experience, and also to analyse the difficulties that sex workers often encounter. The knowledge generated in this study will enhance the existing knowledge in the policing of sex work, and will also serve to educate the police, criminal justice institutions, and the community about the nature and extent of the problems that policing agencies experience when policing sex workers in Sunnyside. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

In South African Law, sex work is currently mainly dealt with in terms of the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act 32 of 2007, although other legislation, such as the Aliens Control Act 3 of 1993 also contains provisions that are peripherally relevant to sex work. In addition, municipal by-laws play an important role in the regulation of sex work, especially outdoor sex work. These by-laws are often aimed at addressing the more visible aspects of outdoor sex work. This dissertation aims to analyse the policing methods used by the police when policing sex work in Sunnyside, and whether the police have the ability and capacity to enforce current legislation in this regard. The enormous incidents of dehumanization and abuse of sex workers by the police who are supposed to enforce the Sexual Offences Act 32 of 2007 and the previous legislation on sex work questions whether the police should be given more or less powers in dealing with this crime. This dissertation aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of relevant literature in order to provide a background for the discussion on the origins of sex work and the different legal models for dealing with sex work. The study also endeavours to establish a frame of reference for considering different legal models to deal with sex work and to identify different policies and legal approaches to sex work, and to consider the impact of the current laws regulating sex workers and the harm that result from this. The dissertation aims to explore and describe the challenges that the police in Sunnyside experience, and also to analyse the difficulties that sex workers often encounter. The knowledge generated in this study will enhance the existing knowledge in the policing of sex work, and will also serve to educate the police, criminal justice institutions, and the community about the nature and extent of the problems that policing agencies experience when policing sex workers in Sunnyside. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The main focus of this dissertation was to evaluate the evidential value of crime scene investigation in child rape cases. There are two kinds of crime scenes that needed to be processed in sexual crimes. Firstly is the location of occurrence and secondly is the victim's body. The crime scene is in any crime the major source of information if correctly approach, but even more so in a child rape investigations. A few crimes rely so heavily upon physical evidence as does the crime of rape. It is therefore essential that all rape investigators have first-class knowledge of proper crime scene investigation methods and techniques. Since crime scenes not properly protected or process may fail the investigation in court and as a result see the suspect acquitted. The following physical evidence could link and assist the investigator to individualise the suspect during thorough crime scene investigation; body fluids such as semen, blood, saliva. Other evidence of physical nature commonly found at crime scenes includes fingerprints, footprints (impression evidence); soil evidence, hair evidence, and anything in general handled or left behind by the rapist at the crime scene. This dissertation strives to provide the Investigator with answers on, how, where, and when to process the crime scene. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The main focus of this dissertation was to evaluate the evidential value of crime scene investigation in child rape cases. There are two kinds of crime scenes that needed to be processed in sexual crimes. Firstly is the location of occurrence and secondly is the victim's body. The crime scene is in any crime the major source of information if correctly approach, but even more so in a child rape investigations. A few crimes rely so heavily upon physical evidence as does the crime of rape. It is therefore essential that all rape investigators have first-class knowledge of proper crime scene investigation methods and techniques. Since crime scenes not properly protected or process may fail the investigation in court and as a result see the suspect acquitted. The following physical evidence could link and assist the investigator to individualise the suspect during thorough crime scene investigation; body fluids such as semen, blood, saliva. Other evidence of physical nature commonly found at crime scenes includes fingerprints, footprints (impression evidence); soil evidence, hair evidence, and anything in general handled or left behind by the rapist at the crime scene. This dissertation strives to provide the Investigator with answers on, how, where, and when to process the crime scene. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)