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Gender-Based Differences - A Study of Probation Officers' Attitudes About, and Recommendations for, Felony Sexual Assault Cases

NCJ Number
95103
Journal
Criminology Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1984) Pages: 371-387
Author(s)
A Walsh
Date Published
1984
Length
17 pages
Annotation
One of the most pressing concerns of women's rights groups is the reform of sexist attitudes and practices within the criminal justice system. One method of redressing the problem would be a major increase in the number of women in positions of power within the criminal justice system.
Abstract
This study casts doubt on the effectiveness of this strategy to meliorate the sexist attitudes and practices. Not only were the attitudes of female probation officers regarding sexual assault more benign than those of their male colleagues, but also sex offenders processed by female officers received significantly more lenient sentences. (Publisher abstract)