Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Justice for Rape Victims? The Spirit May Sound Willing, but the Flesh Remains Weak

  • Chapter
Crime, Victims and Policy

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Victims and Victimology ((PSVV))

Abstract

There has been growing recognition in recent years of the ways in which being a victim of sexual violence is synonymous with experiencing multiple forms of victimisation and re-victimisation. International research has identifiedvarious ways rape victims have felt re-traumatised by their contact with the various agencies of the criminal justice system, as well as in their own informal networks, by the media and potentially by any persons responding to their assertion that they have been raped (Ahrens 2006; Campbell and Raja 1999; Gregory and Lees 1999; Kitzinger 2009; Temkin and Krahé 2008; Taslitz 1999). Police services around the world have been criticised for failing to believe and investigate fully the allegations made by rape complainants (Du Mont et al. 2003; Jordan 2004; Kelly 2002, 2008; Lonsway 2010; O’Keeffe et al. 2009; Stanko and Williams 2009), and numerous writers researching rape victims’ experiences in court have dubbed it the ‘second rape’ (Doyle and Barbato 1999; Koss 2000; Madigan and Gamble 1991; Martin and Powell 1994; Orth 2002).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Addley, E. and Laville, S. 2009. John Worboys: Polite in Court, A sexual Predator in his London Cab. The Guardian, 13 March 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahrens, C.E. 2006. Being Silenced: The Impact of Negative Social Reactions on the Disclosure of Rape. American Journal of Community Psychology 38(3–4), pp. 263–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amnesty International. 2005. Sexual Assault Research: Summary Report. London: Prepared by ICM for Amnesty International UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazley, Dame M. 2007. Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, Volume1. Wellington: Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennice, J.A. and Resick, P.A. 2003. Marital Rape: History, Research, and Practice. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse 4(3), pp. 228–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergen, R.K. 2006. Marital Rape: New Research and Directions. VAWNET Applied Research Forum, National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bindel, J. 2014. Will the John Worboys Case Force the Police to Take Rape Seriously? The Guardian, 28 February 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. 2011. We Mind and We Care but Have Things Changed? Assessment of Progress in the Reporting, Investigating and Prosecution of Alleged Rape Offences. Journal of Sexual Aggression 17 (3), pp. 263–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. and Heidensohn, F. 2000. Gender and Policing: Comparative Perspectives. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. and Horvath, M. 2009. Do You Believe Her and is it Real Rape? In: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. eds. Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking. Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 325–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. and Raja, S. 1999. Secondary Victimization of Rape Victims: Insights from Mental Health Professionals Who Treat Survivors of Violence. Violence and Victims 14(3), pp. 261–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. 2002. Emotionally Involved: The Impact of Researching Rape. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, K. 2011. Rape Investigation and Prosecution: Stuck in the Mud? Journal of Sexual Aggression 17 (3), pp. 250–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, K and Jones, H. 2007. Surviving Victimhood: The Impact of Feminist Campaigns. In: Walklate, S. (ed.) Handbook of Victims and Victimology. Devon: Willan, pp. 125–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daly, K. and Bouhours, B. 2010. Rape and Attrition in the Legal Process: A Comparative Analysis of Five Countries. In: Tonry, M. ed. Crime and Justice: An Annual Review of Research (39). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, pp. 485–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dominion Post. 2013. Busting the Myth Around Sex Abuse. Dominion Post, 14 November 2013, p. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dougan, P. 2013. Cop: Raped 10-year-old ‘Willing’. New Zealand Herald, 28 September 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, S. and Barbato, C. 1999. Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: The Experiences of Women in Court as Victims of Sexual Assault. In: Breckenridge, J. and Laing, L. eds. Challenging Silence: Innovative Responses to Sexual and Domestic Violence. Sydney: Allen and Unwin, pp. 47–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du Mont, J., Miller, K. and Myhr, T.L. 2003. The Role of ‘Real Rape’ and ‘Real Victim’ Stereotypes in the Police Reporting Practices of Sexually Assaulted Women. Violence Against Women 9(4), pp. 466–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubber, M.D. 2002. Victims in the War on Crime: The Use and Abuse of Victims’ Rights. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudding, A. 2013. Dark Underbelly of Society Raises Potent Ghosts. Sunday Star Times, 10 November 2013, p. A10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairfax News. 2013. Expert Appointed to Head Roast Busters Probe. 11 November 2013. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9386579/Expert-appointed-to-head-Roast-Busters-probe

    Google Scholar 

  • Flood, M., and Pease, B. 2009. Factors Influencing Attitudes to Violence Against Women.” Trauma, Violence and Abuse 10 (2), pp. 125–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaayathri. 2013. Roast Busters and Rape Culture. Posted 9 November 2013. https://ahumanstory.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/roast-busters-and-rape-culture/

    Google Scholar 

  • Gavey, N. 2005. Just Sex? The Cultural Scaffolding of Rape. Hove: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, J. and Lees, S. 1999. Policing Sexual Assault. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, M. 2013. Rape is Never Okay: The Roastbusters Disgrace. Posted 4 November 2013. http://mandyhager.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/rape-is-never-okay-roastbusters-disgrace.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Herald on Sunday. 2013. Victims Face Lack of Respect. Herald on Sunday, 10 November 2013, p. A.40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2007. Alcohol as Drug of Choice: Is Drug Assisted Rape a Misnomer? Psychology, Crime&Law 13(5), pp. 417–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horvath, M.A.H., Tong, S. and Williams, E. 2011. Critical Issues in Rape Investigation: An Overview of Reform in England and Wales. The Journal of Criminal Justice Research 1 (2), pp. 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, E. 2013. Unsupervised Teen Drinking Prompts Fears ‘Roast Busters’ Scenario could Happen Here. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 November 2013, p. A.7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, J. 2001. Worlds Apart? Women, Rape and the Reporting Process. British Journal of Criminology 41(4), pp. 679–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, J. 2004. The Word of a Woman? Police, Rape and Belief. Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, J. 2008. Serial Survivors: Women’s Narratives of Surviving Rape. Sydney: The Federation Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan J. 2011. Here We Go Round the Review-Go-Round: Rape Investigation and Prosecution — Are Things Getting Worse not Better? Journal of Sexual Aggression 17(3), pp. 234–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, L. 2002. A Research Review on the Reporting, Investigation and Prosecution of Rape Cases. London: Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, L. 2008. Contradictions and Paradoxes: International Patterns of, and Responses to, Reported Rape Cases. In: Letherby, G., Williams, K., Birch, P. and Cain, M. eds. Sex as Crime Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 253–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, L. 2010. The Incredible Words of Women: False Allegations in European Rape Research. Violence against Women 16 (12), pp. 1345–1355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, L., Lovett, J. and Regan, L. 2005. A Gap or a Chasm? Attrition in Reported Rape Cases. Home Office Research Study 293. London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kingi, V., and Jordan, J., (2009) Responding to Sexual Violence: Pathways to Recovery. Wellington: Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitzinger, J. 2009. Rape in the Media. In: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. eds. Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking. Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 74–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koss, M. P. (2000). Blame, Shame and Community. American Psychologist, 55(11): 1332–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laville, S. and Dodd, V. 2010. Police Errors Left Rapist John Worboys Free to Strike — But no Officers Face Sack. The Guardian, 20 January 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lea, S., Lanvers, U. and Shaw, S. 2003. Attrition in Rape Cases: Developing a Profile and Identifying Relevant Factors. British Journal of Criminology 43(3), pp. 583–599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leask, A. 2013. Roast Busters Scandal: Teen Left School after Incident at Party. New Zealand Herald, 8 November 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lonsway, K. 2010. Trying to Move the Elephant in the Living Room: Responding to the Challenge of False Rape Reports. Violence Against Women 16 (12), pp. 1356–1371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLennan, C. 2013. Police Force Fails NZ’s Women … Again. New Zealand Herald, 8 November 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macur, J. and Schweber, N. 2012. Rape Case Unfolds on Web and Splits City. The New York Times, 16 December 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madigan, L. and Gamble, N. C. (1991). The Second Rape: Society’s Continued Betrayal of the Victim. New York: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier, S. I. (2011). Rape Crisis Centers and Programs: Doing Amazing, Wonderful Things on Peanuts. Women and Criminal Justice, 21 (2): 141–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P. and Powell, R. 1994. Accounting for the ‘Second Assault’: Legal Organizations Framing of Rape Victims. Law and Social Inquiry 19(4), pp. 853–890.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, H. and Leask, A. 2013. Roast Busters: Girls Hit Back with Online Campaigns. New Zealand Herald, 9 November 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, S. October, 2011. Changing Perceptions of Sexual Violence Over Time. Harrisburg: National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women. http://www.ncdsv.org/images/Vawnet_ChangingPerceptionsOfSexualViolenceOverTime_10–2011.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, V.E. and Kelly, L. 2009. A Vicious Cycle? Attrition and Conviction Patterns in Contemporary Rape Cases in England and Wales. In: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. eds. Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking. Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 281–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand Herald. 2013. Roast Busters: Victim Made Complaint to Police Two Years Ago. New Zealand Herald, 6 November 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand Police. 2014. Investigation Overview — Operation Clover. Wellington: New Zealand Police, 28 October 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, M. 2014a. Rape has been ‘Decriminalised’ for the most Vulnerable says Senior Met Adviser. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 28 February 2014. http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2014/02/28/rape-has-been-decrimi-nalised-for-the-most-vulnerable-says-senior-met-adviser/

  • Newman, M. 2014b. Rape Convictions at Four Year Low Despite Attempts to bring more Cases to Court. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 2 May 2014. http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2014/05/02/rape-convictions-at-four-year-low-despite-attempts-to-bring-more-cases-to-court/

  • Nicholas, L. 2007. Louise Nicholas: My Story. Auckland: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of the Auditor General. 2012. Response of the New Zealand Police to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct: Third Monitoring Report. Wellington: Office of the Auditor General.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Keeffe, S., Brown, J. and Lyons, E. 2009. Seeking Proof or Truth: Naturalistic Decision Making by Police Officers when Considering Rape Allegations. In: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. eds. Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking. Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 229–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orth, U. 2002. Secondary Victimization of Crime Victims by Criminal Proceedings. Social Justice Research 15(4), pp. 313–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page, A.D. 2010. True Colors: Police Officers and Rape Myth Acceptance. Feminist Criminology 5(4), pp. 315–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, J. 1987. A Man’s Country? A History. Auckland: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollak, O. 1950. The Criminality of Women. Baltimore, MD: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, D. 2013. Roast Buster Accused Bragged about Group Sex. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9364531/Roast-Buster-accused-bragged-about-group-sex

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, M. 2009. Notes on a Scandal: The Official Enquiry into Deviance and Corruption in the New Zealand Police. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology 42(1), pp. 123–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, K. 2013. Facebook Teen Sex Shaming Exposed. http://www.3news.co.nz/Facebook-teen-sex-shaming-exposed/tabid/423/articleID/319919/Default.aspx#ixzz2xtCfzi00

    Google Scholar 

  • Sable, M.R., Danis, F., Mauzy, D.L. and Gallagher, S.K. 2006. Barriers to Reporting Sexual Assault for Women and Men: Perspectives of College Students. Journal of American College Health 55(3), pp. 157–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanko, B. and Williams, E. 2009. Reviewing Rape and Rape Allegations in London: What are the Vulnerabilities of the Victims Who Report to the Police? In: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. eds. Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking. Cullompton: Willan, pp. 207–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, Baroness V. 2010. Stern Review of Rape Reporting in England and Wales. London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sunday Star Times. 2013. Saga of sex, lies and stereotyping. Sunday Star Times, 10 November 2013, p. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, I. 2014. No Charge for Roast Busters. The Press, 30 October 2014, p. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taslitz, A.E. 1999. Rape and the Culture of the Courtroom. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, P. 2013. Police Failed to Check Rapist’s Alibi. New Zealand Herald, 22 August 2013, p. A10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S.C., and Gassner, L. 2010. Stemming the Flow: Challenges for Police Adult Sexual Assault with Regard to Attrition Rates and Under-reporting of Sexual Offences. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 11(3), pp. 240–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Television New Zealand. 2013. Q+A, Series 2013, Episode 36. http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a/s2013-ep36-video-5705782

    Google Scholar 

  • Temkin, J. and Krahé, B. 2008. Sexual Assault and the Justice Gap: A Question of Attitude. Oxford: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Daily Post. 2013. Rape: Time for the Police to Step Aside. The Daily Post, 12 November 2013, p. 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullman, S. and Townsend, S. M. (2007). Barriers to Working with Sexual Assault Survivors: A Qualitative Study of Rape Crisis Center Workers. Violence Against Women, 13: 412–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walklate, S. (ed.) 2007. Handbook of Victims and Victimology. Devon: Willan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walklate, S. 2008. What is to be Done about Violence against Women? Gender, Violence, Cosmopolitanism and the Law. British Journal of Criminology, 48(1), pp. 39–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, B. 1999. The Victim’s Charter: Citizens as Consumers of Criminal Justice Services. The Howard Journal 38(4), pp. 384–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, W. 1983. Rape Study: A Discussion of Law and Practice. Volume I. Wellington: Institute of Criminology and Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Jan Jordan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sussex, UK

    Dean Wilson

  2. University of Melbourne, Australia

    Stuart Ross

Copyright information

© 2015 Jan Jordan

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jordan, J. (2015). Justice for Rape Victims? The Spirit May Sound Willing, but the Flesh Remains Weak. In: Wilson, D., Ross, S. (eds) Crime, Victims and Policy. Palgrave Studies in Victims and Victimology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137383938_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation