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Rape Reporting After Reforms: Have Times Really Changed?

NCJ Number
208865
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 150-176
Author(s)
Jody Clay-Warner; Callie Harbin Burt
Date Published
February 2005
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study examined changes in patterns of rape reporting following a series of legislative reforms governing the crime of forcible rape in the United States.
Abstract
The crime of rape is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States. Sweeping reforms in laws governing forcible rape have been made since the mid-1970's, presumably benefiting rape victims. However, there has been scant empirical research on the overall success of these reforms. The current study draws on data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) to explore whether rapes committed after the reforms were more likely to be reported to the police than rapes committed before the reforms. Also examined was whether the gap between reporting of simple and aggravated rape has narrowed since the reforms were instituted. Included in the analysis were all incidents of completed and attempted rapes perpetrated by men against women that were self-reported to the NVAWS. Variables under consideration included whether the rape was reported to police, whether the rape was aggravated or simple, and location of assault. Results of statistical analyses indicated that rapes committed after 1990 (after reforms) were more likely to be reported to police than rapes committed before 1974 (before reforms). However, the gap between the reporting of simple versus aggravated rapes remained stable over time, indicating that aggravated rapes are still more likely to be reported than rapes committed without a weapon or rapes committed by a stranger (also considered aggravated). While it is impossible to determine whether changes in rape reporting occurred as a result of reform efforts or because of other societal changes, the changes in rape reporting found here can be seen as an indication of the success of the rape reforms, whether the success is instrumental or symbolic. Future studies should examine jurisdictional patterns of rape reporting. Tables, notes, references

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