The focus of this retrospective, descriptive study is to describe non-anogenital and anogenital injuries documented in over 5,000 sexual assault forensic medical examination (SAFME) reports of female patients. The study findings expand understanding of injuries documented following sexual assault by exploring associations between injuries and a multitude of variables: patient demographics (age, race, gender); time between assault and examination; patient-perpetrator relationship; perpetrator actions (strangulation, hit, verbally threatened/coerced, use of restraints, grabbed/held); number of assaultive acts; multiple-perpetrators; suspected drug-facilitated assaults; patient and perpetrator use of alcohol and drugs; and physically or mentally impaired patients. The various types and locations of injuries are discussed in relationship to assault history. Implications of findings on forensic nursing practice are shared to improve patient assessment and care. In addition, methods to share findings with interdisciplinary partners, including law enforcement and criminal justice system professionals, are described to improve interdisciplinary collaboration and education.

This study examines spousal sexual assault laws in Nigeria and Canada through the lens of substantive equality. The aim is to show that only when a substantive-equality approach is used for legislation and adjudication of spousal sexual assault can victims fairly seek and realize justice. This is because substantive equality considers broader socio-economic and cultural contexts that support this crime, including exposing stereotypes that underpin its legislation and adjudication. The study shows that in Nigeria and Canada spousal sexual assault is endemic and that women are disproportionately represented as victims and men as perpetrators. Failures to apply the principles of substantive equality in adjudicating spousal sexual assault lead to the flaws in evidentiary procedures involving this crime. The study concludes that it is important to revise criminal laws and evidentiary procedures in Nigeria and Canada using substantive equality principles. / October 2016

This research report examines telephonic and written data from an emergency medical services centre in the Western Cape and seeks to uncover the language practices that speakers use in order to create what I term “extraordinary emergencies”. Since one of the overarching institutional aims of the emergency call centre is that of “preservation of life”, the majority of emergencies are reproduced by emergency call-takers as routine events, specifically for the purpose of managing them most efficiently and thus working towards the institutional aim of preserving life. However, in certain instances, this institutional agenda is temporarily halted or abandoned in favour of a competing agenda, what I have termed the “personal” agenda enacted by the speaker. This personal agenda works to the reproduction of particular norms and values, and speakers are seen as morally accountable for reproducing them. This research report makes use of discursive analytic practices, specifically conversation analysis, as a method by which to highlight subtle and delicate moments in the interaction that recreate the shared value of the “sacred child” in real-time interaction. Keywords: emergency, childhood, sexual assault, conversation analysis, institutions

abstract: Sexual assault victimization is a pervasive issue affecting one in four college women. This staggering statistic causes concern for universities across the country to protect students and encourage victimization reporting. Yet little known about college women’s reporting behaviors and what influences the decision to report. Previous research has established possible reasons influencing reporting behaviors such as fear of retaliation, shame, guilt, and not viewing the incident as a crime. However, few studies have explored the role of prior perceptions of police and the impact of procedural justice on victimization reporting. Using a factorial vignette design, this study tests the influence of prior perceptions of police, procedural unjust treatment, and the sex of the responding officer on the likelihood to report sexual assault. Self-report survey data were collected from 586 female participants attending a public university. Consistent with expectations, results indicate that positive prior perceptions of police significantly increased students’ likelihood to report sexual victimization. Being treated in a procedurally unjust manner by the police had the largest impact on victim decision making, even when controlling for prior perceptions of police; decreasing the likelihood that a student would report their victimization. Contrary to expectations, the sex of the responding officer had no effect on students’ decision to report their victimization. This study has important implications for current policing methods and policies aimed at police-victim interactions among the population at highest risk of sexual victimization. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Criminology and Criminal Justice 2019

abstract: The #MeToo Movement has sparked debate across the world as to how prevalent sexual assault is and what can be done to help survivors. Although sexual assaults are the least likely crime to be reported to police, it is important to examine the criminal justice system’s treatment of these cases. The focus of this thesis is on the prosecution of sexual assault cases. Specifically, the goal is to uncover the factors that impact prosecutorial decision-making in sexual assault cases across three different timepoints. This study examines qualitative interviews conducted in 2010 with 30 Deputy District Attorneys from Los Angeles, California. Results reveal that prosecutors’ largely rely on their “gut feelings” about whether a case will be successful based on a combination of factors, including: victim credibility, availability of evidence, and corroboration of the victim’s story, just to name a few. The study concludes with an examination of these results, a discussion on the limitations of the study and a guide for future research, and what policy changes can come from these findings. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Criminology and Criminal Justice 2019

The current study assessed features associated with drink spiking, or the adding of a substance to another person's drink without the consumer's knowledge or consent. A sample of 805 Australians, aged 18-35 years, completed a survey designed to measure the occurrence and predictors of the perpetration and victimisation of drink spiking. Almost half of the sample reported at least one experience of purchasing or mixing cocktails for others (49% and 45%, respectively), while smaller proportions reported adding alcohol to punch (26%) and adding alcoholic shots to alcoholic beverages belonging to other people (16%). A number of participants also reported previous experience of adding alcoholic shots to non-alcoholic beverages (6%), adding prescription or illicit substances to alcoholic beverages (1%), adding substances to non-alcoholic beverages (1%), and adding substances to punch (1%). Purchasing or mixing cocktails for others, adding alcohol to punch, or adding alcoholic shots to alcoholic beverages were predicted by beliefs that deliberately causing intoxication in others is acceptable and that alcohol consumption by others is indicative of their sexual attraction to participants. Engagement in these behaviours was also predicted by participants' illicit substance use and participation in casual sexual activity. Adding prescription or illicit substances to other people's beverages, or adding alcoholic shots to non-alcoholic beverages, were predicted by the belief that alcohol consumption increases one's confidence and sexual responsiveness, and by participants' use of narcotics and sedatives. Perpetrators were predominantly motivated by a wish to have fun or to increase the likelihood of engaging in consensual sexual activity. With regard to victimisation of drink spiking, 26% of the sample reported at least one victimisation. The majority of incidents occurred in licensed venues, after the participant had engaged in such low supervisory behaviours as leaving their drink unattended or accepting a drink without observing its preparation. Most participants established a belief that they had been spiked after experiencing a degree of intoxication that was beyond their expected level (based on the amount of alcohol consumption), or after experiencing such physiological symptoms as vomiting, hallucinations, lack of coordination, or unconsciousness. Despite such experiences, 85% of victims did not report the incident to authorities. Victimisation in general was predicted by participants' use of stimulant and hallucinogenic substances. Female victimisation was predicted by previous episodes of victimisation of oral sexual assault. Victimisation was not affected by participants' degree of supervision of their drinks. These findings provided empirical evidence that drink spiking is committed primarily for the purposes of creating a fun, entertaining situation. However, it was also apparent that drink spiking is perpetrated in an attempt to encourage participation in consensual sexual activity; this was particularly the case in incidents involving the addition of substances, as opposed to alcohol, to beverages belonging to others. Conclusions regarding the motivations held by perpetrators of drink spiking and the post-spiking experiences of victims informed the provision of recommendations for intervention for victims and prevention programs aimed at reducing the incidence of victimisation in the future.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the perceptions of mental health professionals regarding the impact of female sexual assault on heterosexual romantic relationships. Specifically, the implications of non-partner sexual assault were investigated. A qualitative approach was selected in order to examine this topic. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews with five mental health professionals and subsequently analyzed using a thematic analysis approach offered by Braun and Clarke (2006). Four broad themes materialized from this analysis to effectively capture the data, including: a) implications of individual processing, b) significant relationship changes, c) response to external variables, and d) pre-assault functioning affects post-assault response. The resultant implications of these findings are discussed in light of relevant research. Practice implications and future research directions are also highlighted. / Counselling Psychology

Observers’ attributions of culpability in sexual assault cases have been studied in the context of psycholegal variables to explain how they come to their conclusions. Most research has revealed that there are differences between stranger and acquaintance rape, where victims of the latter are more likely to be blamed (Allgeier & Allgeier, 1995; Bridges & McGrail, 1989; Littleton, 2001; Mynatt & Allgeier, 1990; Scronce & Corcoran, 1995; Schuller & Klippenstine, 2004; Tetreault & Barnett, 1987). However, the work has been largely limited to examining rape myth acceptance and gender differences of observers. The present study addressed these limitations. The goals of this study were: (1) to examine judgments of perpetrator responsibility, (2) to examine the relationship between benevolent sexism and victim blame in an acquaintance rape, (3) to examine as to how benevolent sexism influences assailant blame, and (4) to examine differences between males and females on a sexism measure in relation to attribution of blame. This research utilized a community sample. Several groups of measures were utilized, including sexual assault vignettes with a questionnaire that assessed perceptions of sexual assault. Also administered were measures that assessed for social desirability, benevolent sexism, the preference for unequal relationships, and demographics. Two studies were conducted. The first one was a pilot study, which gathered qualitative and descriptive data for a measure designed specifically for this research. Participants (n= 20) reported that the measure was simple to read, understand and complete. The second study (200 participants) focused on the goals outlined and obtained reliability and principal components analysis information. Findings from study 2 revealed no significant differences between men and women in attribution of responsibility. However, assailant-victim relationship, and the presence of alcohol were statistically significant for blame. Although men scored higher on benevolent sexism in general, women obtained high scores when assailant-victim relationship and the presence of alcohol in the scenarios were taken into account. Similar to previous research (Abrams, Viki, Masser, & Bohner, 2003; Viki & Abrams, 2002; Viki, Masser, & Abrams, 2004), benevolent sexism was found to act as a moderator. Implications from results from this study were also discussed.

Observers’ attributions of culpability in sexual assault cases have been studied in the context of psycholegal variables to explain how they come to their conclusions. Most research has revealed that there are differences between stranger and acquaintance rape, where victims of the latter are more likely to be blamed (Allgeier & Allgeier, 1995; Bridges & McGrail, 1989; Littleton, 2001; Mynatt & Allgeier, 1990; Scronce & Corcoran, 1995; Schuller & Klippenstine, 2004; Tetreault & Barnett, 1987). However, the work has been largely limited to examining rape myth acceptance and gender differences of observers. The present study addressed these limitations. The goals of this study were: (1) to examine judgments of perpetrator responsibility, (2) to examine the relationship between benevolent sexism and victim blame in an acquaintance rape, (3) to examine as to how benevolent sexism influences assailant blame, and (4) to examine differences between males and females on a sexism measure in relation to attribution of blame. This research utilized a community sample. Several groups of measures were utilized, including sexual assault vignettes with a questionnaire that assessed perceptions of sexual assault. Also administered were measures that assessed for social desirability, benevolent sexism, the preference for unequal relationships, and demographics. Two studies were conducted. The first one was a pilot study, which gathered qualitative and descriptive data for a measure designed specifically for this research. Participants (n= 20) reported that the measure was simple to read, understand and complete. The second study (200 participants) focused on the goals outlined and obtained reliability and principal components analysis information. Findings from study 2 revealed no significant differences between men and women in attribution of responsibility. However, assailant-victim relationship, and the presence of alcohol were statistically significant for blame. Although men scored higher on benevolent sexism in general, women obtained high scores when assailant-victim relationship and the presence of alcohol in the scenarios were taken into account. Similar to previous research (Abrams, Viki, Masser, & Bohner, 2003; Viki & Abrams, 2002; Viki, Masser, & Abrams, 2004), benevolent sexism was found to act as a moderator. Implications from results from this study were also discussed.

Introduction: The National Board of Health and Welfares conclusion was that today there was a low awareness about children who act sexually toward others and how their problems can be handled. This requires extensive work by school personnel and social workers to give the children the support they need. Aim: The aim was to investigate social workers perception in cases concerning children and adolescents who committed sexual assault. Method: A qualitative method was utilized with semi-structured interviews to describe social workers perceptions in cases concerning children and adolescents who committed sexual assault. Four social workers from different communities were interviewed in southern Sweden. Results: The result described social workers experiences from working with these cases, investigations, treatments and preventative work. Analysis: The study shows that social worker experience the work with children and adolescents who committed sexual assault as difficult. It could be hard to decide which sexual behavior that was normal in the different ages. Teamwork between schools and social services are important to detect these cases. It is also important to work with children- and adolescent psychiatry and private companies that specialize in investigation and treatments in these cases. Conclusion: Children and adolescents who commit sexual assault seem to be an unknown area even within the social field. With more education to personnel who work with children and adolescents knowledge can be improved in this subject. The personnel need knowledge about which signs to be aware of.