Rape Crimes: Are Victims' Acute Psychological Distress and Perceived Social Support Associated With Police Case Decision and Victim Willingness to Participate in the Investigation?

Nina B Hansen; Maj Hansen; Louise H Nielsen; Rikke H Bramsen; Ask Elklit; Rebecca Campbell

doi:10.1177/1077801217710002

Rape Crimes: Are Victims' Acute Psychological Distress and Perceived Social Support Associated With Police Case Decision and Victim Willingness to Participate in the Investigation?

Violence Against Women. 2018 May;24(6):684-696. doi: 10.1177/1077801217710002. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Authors

Nina B Hansen¹, Maj Hansen¹, Louise H Nielsen¹, Rikke H Bramsen¹, Ask Elklit¹, Rebecca Campbell²

Affiliations

¹ 1 University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
² 2 Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.

PMID: 29332506
DOI: 10.1177/1077801217710002

Abstract

This study examined level of acute psychological distress and perceived social support in 64 victims of rape and the association with police case decisions and victims' willingness to participate in the investigation. The results of independent-sample t tests revealed that victims' unwillingness to participate in the investigation was significantly associated with a higher level of psychological distress in the acute phase following the assault. The results suggest that victims of rape who disengage with the police investigation may do so because of a high level of acute psychological distress. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords: legal process; psychological distress; rape; sexual assault; social support.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Crime Victims / legislation & jurisprudence
Crime Victims / psychology
Criminal Law / standards*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Perception*
Rape / psychology*
Social Support
Stress, Psychological / complications*
Stress, Psychological / psychology