Rape in the 21st Century: Old Patterns, New Behaviours and Emerging Trends, 2000-2002

UKDA study number:5827

Principal Investigators

Kelly,L.
Lovett, J.
London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

May 2008

 

Bibliographic Citation

All works which use or refer to these materials should acknowledge these sources by means of bibliographic citation. To ensure that such source attributions are captured for bibliographic indexes, citations must appear in footnotes or in the reference section of publications. The bibliographic citation for this data collection is:
Kelly,L. and Lovett, J., Rape in the 21st Century: Old Patterns, New Behaviours and Emerging Trends, 2000-2002 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], May 2008. SN: 5827, http://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-5827-1.

 

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Copyright:
London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit.

 

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5827 . Rape in the 21st Century: Old Patterns, New Behaviours and Emerging Trends, 2000-2002

 

Depositor:

Kelly,L. , London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit

Principal Investigators:

Kelly,L. , London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit
Lovett, J. , London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council
Grant Number: RES-000-22-1679

Abstract:

Home Office statistics show a continuing decline in the rape conviction rate over the last three decades, with the most recent figures at an all time low of just over 5 per cent. A number of reforms have been put in place but are yet to deliver the hoped for outcomes. Attrition is a complex, multi-factorial process, meaning that successful policy and practice interventions must be informed by analysis of the issues operating at multiple levels of the criminal justice process.

Rape in the 21st Century: Old Patterns, New Behaviours and Emerging Trends, 2000-2002 investigated whether particular combinations of factors might be associated with being targeted for sexual assault, as well as specific layers of attrition, including victimisation/targeting, reporting to the police and case outcomes. Using regression analysis, whether and how explicitly stereotypical notions about rape are predictive of attrition was also explored. The project was based on an existing dataset of 3,527 cases reported to three sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) and three police comparison sites without access to a SARC between late 2000 and end 2002. Stereotypical views about rape were found to affect decision making particularly at the earliest stages of the process, namely reporting and the police investigation, although they were less influential than anticipated for the small proportion of cases that reached court. The findings also suggest that victim vulnerabilities play a crucial role in attrition, particularly where: victims are aged under 18; the rape takes place in the context of domestic violence; the rape is alcohol related; and mental health issues are present. Making previous allegations also appears to be significant. These factors influence not only decisions by complainants to withdraw allegations but also how police conduct the investigation.

Main Topics:

The main topics include:

Coverage:

Time Period Covered: October 2000 - December 2002
Dates of Fieldwork: October 2000 - December 2004
Country: England
Geography: Greater London; Greater Manchester; Northumberland; West Yorkshire
Spatial Units: No spatial unit
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Numeric data

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: Subnational
Population: Rape cases reported to a SARC and/or the police in the research sites.

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
(Prospective tracking).
Sampling Procedures: Purposive selection/case studies
Number of Units: 3,527
Method of Data Collection: Compilation or synthesis of existing material; The dataset is principally derived from an earlier dataset collated for the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme Violence Against Women Initiative.
Data Sources: The dataset is principally derived from an earlier dataset collated for the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme Violence Against Women Initiative. Details of the methodology employed and the results of this project can be found in the resulting publications below.
Weighting: No weighting used

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.

In addition, ESDS is required to request permission from the depositor prior to supplying the data.
Availability: ESDS Access and Preservation, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: help@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

7 May 2008

Copyright:

London Metropolitan University. Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit.


File last updated:

31 October 2011