As a result of widespread belief that the treatment by the system deters rape victims from reporting their victimization, efforts have been made to reform rape law and reform police processing of victims. If felony prosecution is viewed from the perspective of a nearly-decomposable system, it is seen that decision-making in rape cases is not unique. The structure of prosecution (from reporting the offense to trial) constrains decision makers. These structural constraints are largely beyond the reach of the formal reform measures. There is little ground to believe the police play a significant role in deterring rape reporting or rape prosecution. (Publisher abstract)