A multivariate model for predicting rape and physical injury outcomes during sexual assaults

The relation of situational factors, offender aggression, and victim resistance to women's sexual abuse and physical injury during sexual assaults was analyzed using police reports and court testimonies of 274 women who either avoided rape or were raped. Hierarchical multiple regression showed that after situational factors were partialed out, (a) women's screaming/yelling was related to less severe sexual abuse, and (b) offender physical aggression was related to increased physical injury. An a priori model of the interrelations among offense components and injury outcomes was tested with path analysis. More forceful victim resistance was directly related to less severe sexual abuse even when partialing level of situational danger and the level of offender aggression. In contrast, more forceful victim resistance was not related to the level of physical injury when both the level of situational danger and the level of offender aggression in the assault were controlled.     

Advocacy Services for College Victims of Sexual Assault: Navigating Complicated Confidentiality Concerns

ABSTRACT

Recent policy reforms related to campus sexual assault may pose confidentiality concerns for victims. The current study aimed to understand current issues in providing confidential advocacy services for college victims of sexual assault, as well as the differential roles that campus-based and community-based advocacy play for college victims. For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 national experts on campus sexual assault from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. The results indicate that campus-based advocates face challenges in maintaining confidentiality of victims’ information, whereas community-based advocates are more likely to have legal confidentiality protections. Consequently, participants noted that an ideal advocacy model for college victims might be one in which campus- and community-based services are closely coordinated to ensure access to services that are both confidential and meet the unique needs of college students. Implications for advocacy services are discussed, as well as future directions for research and evaluation on the effects of evolving policy aimed at improving institutional responses to sexual assault.     

A Qualitative Study Of Sexual Assault Survivors’ Post-Assault Legal System Experiences

ABSTRACT

Following sexual assault, survivors may turn to the civil or criminal justice systems in pursuit of some form of legal justice. Informal support providers (SPs) often play a large role in survivors' post-assault experiences and recovery, including providing support during survivors’ decision to pursue legal justice and in navigating the system. Yet, this has not been thoroughly examined in research, particularly through a dyadic lens. Using qualitative dyadic data from 45 survivor-SP matched pairs (i.e., friend, family, or significant other), the current study addresses this gap by looking broadly at survivors’ post-assault experiences with the criminal and civil legal systems. Of the 45 pairs in the sample, the current study presents findings from a subsample of 28 survivors and 13 SPs regarding post-assault legal system experiences. Our findings suggest that survivors and SPs consider the perceived strength of their case, perceptions of police, and the possibility of institutional bias when deciding to report the assault to the police. Interviews revealed that reasons for legal system involvement extend beyond pursuance of perpetrator prosecution, such as filing for custody of their children after leaving a domestic violence situation or seeking financial compensation. Many survivors who had interactions with the police and legal system experienced secondary victimization, while a few survivors had positive experiences, despite their expectations. We recommend improved access to survivor advocates and suggest directions for future research stemming from findings.     

Establishing a large DNA data bank using the PowerPlex 1.1 and 2.1 systems

In the early 1990's, the importance of establishing a DNA Data Bank of convicted sex offender samples for comparison to unsolved cases became apparent to the Virginia Division of Forensic Science to help identify potential perpetrators. Ultimately, through the expansion of the data basing law to include all convicted offenders and juveniles convicted of a crime that would be considered a felony if tried as an adult, the Division has successfully used the DNA Data Bank to aid the law enforcement community in solving crimes where the victim was unable to identify the perpetrator. As the number of offender sample analyses has increased, in combination with the number of analyses of cases where a suspect could not be identified, the number of DNA Data Bank hits has also significantly increased. Initially, in 1997, when the Division converted its DNA Data Bank program from the restriction fragment length polymorphism technology to the short tandem repeat technology, one offender hit occurred on average for every 2,900 convicted offender samples that were entered into the Data Bank. However, by December 31, 2000, one DNA Data Bank hit occurred on average for every 700 samples entered into the Data Bank.     

Rape Kit Notification: Recommendations and Barriers to Reconnecting with Survivors

ABSTRACT

In the wake of the discovery of untested rape kits across the country, jurisdictions now face questions about how best to reengage with survivors in a sensitive and empowering way. The current study sought to provide guidance on this question through interviews and surveys about effective victim notification procedures. Using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling, the current study interviewed 76 criminal justice, advocacy, and public policy professionals and 19 rape survivors from across the country about their recommendations for rape kit notification. Inductive thematic analysis was used to derive a set of 51 unique recommendations about how and when notification should occur. These recommendations were then transformed into a survey that was sent back to participants for ratings of importance, feasibility, and acceptability. Results suggested that approaches such as involving advocates, responding in a sensitive and empathetic way, engaging in full and ongoing notification, and providing clear information and referrals to survivors were supported by professionals and survivors alike. Results also suggested that feasibility concerns played little role in determining the acceptability of different notification approaches, calling into question the common assertion that feasibility concerns prevent jurisdictions from utilizing survivor-centric and trauma-informed procedures. Implications of these findings for both researchers and practitioners seeking to address the problem of untested rape kits are discussed.     

性侵犯受害青少年的心理、态度、行为——北京市海淀区四所中学的调查

采用分层整群抽样法对北京市海淀区四所中学进行了性侵犯有关问题调查,结果遭受性侵犯的总发生率为14%,其中男生占2.4%,女生占11.6%,主要表现被迫接受触摸,亲吻、拥抱及被迫性交等。受侵组抑郁情绪显著高于未受侵组;受侵组手淫及对性问题的一些看法与非受侵组也有显著差别,应引起社会关注。     

New cell separation technique for the isolation and analysis of cells from biological mixtures in forensic caseworks

Aim

To isolate mucosal cells of the perpetrator in a sexual assault case from a complex mixture of his mucosal cells and the victim’s skin by micromanipulation prior to genomic analysis.

Methods

To capture and analyze mucosal cells we used the micromanipulation with on-chip low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR). Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments.

Results and conclusions

We validated the use of micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR for genomic analysis of complex biological mixtures in a fatal rape case. The perpetrator’s mucosal cells were captured from nipple swabs of the victim, and a single-source DNA profile was generated from cell mixtures. These data suggest that micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR is an effective forensic tool for the analysis of specific cells from complex samples.In sexual assault cases, swabs from the victim’s vagina and skin surface are collected and analyzed for DNA and forensic evidence. In cases where no sperm cells are detected, alternative sources of DNA must be identified. The Forensic Science Service has developed a method to isolate male cells from vaginal swabs in azoospermic sexual assault cases (1,2). Further, skin surface swabs from sites such as the face and nipple can provide saliva samples from the assailant. Kenna et al (3) found that salivary DNA persists on skin for a minimum of 96 hours, providing a sufficient window to collect and process samples. Swabbing a large area of the victim’s skin surface, however, can yield a mixed profile of cells from both the victim and perpetrator. Unfortunately, such a mixed profile of cells can often be of limited use.We combined micromanipulation with on-chip low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR) to identify and isolate individual cells (4). Micromanipulation was performed based upon the distinct cellular morphology of mucosal cells (of perpetrator origin) compared with epithelium of the victim. The micromanipulation method is more economical than other techniques yielding similar precision, such as laser capture microdissection (LCM). An individual genotype was obtained that was in concordance with the genotype of the suspect.The main aim of this study was to explore the utility of micromanipulation and LV-PCR for genotyping an individual from a complex biological mixture.     

CHARACTERISTICS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH RECEIVING A RAPE DISCLOSURE WITHIN A NATIONAL TELEPHONE HOUSEHOLD PROBABILITY SAMPLE OF WOMEN

Disclosure of rape to informal support sources is relatively common, but not well understood. This study expands our limited knowledge of disclosure recipients’ experience by examining associations between their sociodemographic and life experiences with receipt of a rape disclosure and encouragement of the victim to formally report her assault. Over 35% of the 3,001 community‐residing women in this national sample reported receiving a rape disclosure. Women who had a personal history of sexual assault, met lifetime diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder or depression, met past‐year diagnostic criteria for substance abuse, engaged in monthly binge drinking and nonexperimental substance use, and sought help for emotional concerns were significantly more likely to be recipients. Approximately two thirds (69%) of disclosure recipients encouraged the victim to formally report the rape, and encouragement was also significantly associated with these characteristics. Implications of these findings for improving the disclosure process are provided.     

Prevalence and consequences of adult sexual assault of men: review of empirical findings and state of the literature

Male victims of adult sexual assault (ASA) are understudied as compared with female victims. Further, commonly-held myths about sexual assault suggest that men cannot be victims or that, if men are victims, they are relatively physically and emotionally unharmed by sexual assault. The goal of this paper was to systematically review the empirical literature on ASA among men to evaluate the veracity of these myths. This paper also sought to examine the methodological quality of the body of research in this area, identify limitations and gaps in the current literature, and suggest directions for future research. Eighty-seven relevant studies were identified through a systematic review of the literature. The reported prevalence of men's sexual aggression varied widely depending on the methods used and the population studied; some populations (e.g., veterans, prison inmates, and gay and bisexual men) reported higher rates of ASA than men in the general population. Few studies have systematically examined the consequences of male ASA; however, those that have suggest that ASA can have notable adverse physical and psychological consequences for some men.     

Sexual assault of men in the community

Sexual assault of men in the community, a hidden and unacknowledged crime, has recently become the subject of medical and psychological literature. The present research, conducted in 1992, was designed to determine the nature and existence of this crime in the United States through victim reports to agencies servicing the needs of sexual assault victims. Out of the 336 surveys returned, one hundred and seventy two agencies reported contact with 3,635 men who had sought treatment for sexual assault occurring in their adulthood. Most assaults occurred between the ages of 16 and 30 in which the vast majority of these men experienced symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The presentation of these figures should alert health professionals to the existence of adult male rape and inspire further research to assess this hidden form of sexual victimization. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Challenges in conducting research on sexual violence and HIV and approaches to overcome them

Studies have implicated sexual violence as a strong correlate of HIV acquisition in women. Characterizing how such violence affects the female immune system may provide insight into the biological mechanisms of HIV transmission and ultimately improve global HIV prevention strategies. Little research has been carried out in this domain, and the obstacles to investigation can be daunting. Here, we describe methodological challenges encountered and solutions explored while implementing a study of dysregulation of immune biomarkers potentially indicative of increased HIV susceptibility in women following sexual assault. Challenges included accessing sexual assault survivors and defining sexual assault, promoting study participant well‐being during research engagement, reducing selection and information bias, collecting and processing biological samples, and adjusting for confounders such as reproductive tract infections and emotional and physical abuse. We found that many survivors of sexual assault welcomed the attention from study staff and felt empowered by the opportunity to help other women at risk for violence. Well‐trained research staff and well‐articulated community and medical partnerships were key methods to overcoming challenges while promoting the safety and welfare of vulnerable study participants.     

Y-chromosomal haplotyping of single sperm cells isolated from semen mixtures – a successful identification of three perpetrators in a multi-suspect sexual assault case

Aim

To obtain individual Y-short tandem repeat (STR) profiles in a multi-suspect sexual assault case.

Methods

We used laser cut microdissection to capture the single sperm cell in the multi-contributor semen sample, combined with the low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR) method to genotype the single sperm cell profiles using the Yfiler® kit. Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments.

Results

Ninety-four parallel LV-PCRs were performed and 41 reactions (44%) produced Y-STR profiles with more than nine loci. Three individual Y-STR profiles were successfully obtained.

Conclusion

The three Y haplotype units matched three known perpetrators’ genotypes. Our results showed that single sperm cells Y-STR analysis was a powerful method for analyzing multi-donor semen mixture sample.Multi-suspect sexual assault is a crime frequently encountered by forensic scientists. Current standard procedures, including preferential lysis, are incapable to separate the sperm DNA of different donors. In this way, a mixture profile is often obtained, which can only be used for exclusion rather than identification. Another method to isolate single cells from mixtures that has been successfully used in the forensic community is laser cut microdissection (LCM) (1-5). However, by means of this method it is still challenging to get the autosome short tandem repeat (STR) profile for semen mixtures with more than two contributors. This is because of the random assortment of chromosomes in meiosis (6). An alternative strategy to analyze male DNA is Y-STR analysis. In our laboratory, we previously established LCM system and low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR) platform for biological mixture analysis (7). Here, we developed a method of single sperm cells Y-STR analysis combining LCM and LV-PCR, which was successfully used in a sexual assault case.

Case background

In May 2012, a drunken woman was sexually assaulted in a hotel room and a video recording indicated three men as suspects. No other evidence but a vaginal swab was collected from the victim. Using preferential lysis method to separate the sperm cells, the sperm DNA was purified by a commercial kit. We got a mixed DNA profile of more than two contributors, by which it was difficult to exclude or identify suspects. The victim’s vaginal swab was the key evidence, so we re-analyzed this sample by LCM platform to genotype the perpetrators’ DNA for forensic analysis. The analysis was focused on genotyping the Y-STR of single sperm cells.     

“NOBODY DESERVES THIS”: ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DISBELIEF AND VICTIM BLAME FROM POLICE

Prior research reveals that many police engage in victim blaming, skeptical reactions to adult sexual assault survivors. However, little is known about adolescent survivors’ experiences with police. To address this gap, qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adolescent rape survivors to understand adolescents’ perceptions of their interactions with the police (specifically the messages the officers conveyed about the assault and the victims themselves). Positive perceptions occurred when the adolescents perceived police behavior as indications of believing their story, validating their decision to report, and refraining from judgment of their behavior. On the other hand, negative perceptions were associated with behaviors that were viewed as indications of skepticism, blame, or judgment. Specific behaviors that were associated with each of these themes are discussed. Interactions with the police influenced survivors’ emotional well‐being and their hope for their case's success. Implications for improving interactions between police and adolescent sexual assault victims are discussed.     

Harsh Discipline,Childhood Sexual Assault,and MAOA Genotype: An Investigation of Main and Interactive Effects on Diverse Clinical Externalizing Outcomes

We studied the impact of MAOA genotype, childhood sexual assault, and harsh discipline on clinical externalizing symptoms (substance problems, adult antisocial behavior, and conduct disorder). Participants were 841 individual twins from the Minnesota Twin Family Study assessed through age 25. MAOA genotype was not associated with differences in any phenotype, nor was there a significant interaction between MAOA and harsh discipline for any phenotype or a significant interaction between MAOA and childhood sexual assault for substance problems. We found evidence that childhood sexual assault interacted with MAOA genotype to predict antisocial behavior and conduct disorder symptoms. Individuals with the low MAOA activity genotype who reported childhood sexual assault had more symptoms than individuals with either the high MAOA activity genotype and/or no history of childhood sexual assault. These findings suggest that the previously reported interaction between MAOA and childhood maltreatment may be specific to the antisocial subset of externalizing disorders.     

What is an empowerment approach to working with sexual assault survivors?

This exploratory study sought to better understand what constitutes the empowerment approach used by rape crisis advocates working with sexual assault survivors. A grounded theory, qualitative, semistructured interview study was conducted of rape victim advocates (N=25) working in rape crisis centers in a large metropolitan area. Several characteristics were described as reflecting an empowerment orientation or approach to work with survivors, some of which were specifically described as a “feminist” empowerment approach. Implications for research and practice are drawn. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Medical and social aspects of sexual assault of males: a survey of 100 victims.

Sexual assault of males is an infrequently reported and a poorly understood phenomenon. Details of 100 victims who sought assistance from a nationwide agency set up specifically to provide help for such individuals are reported here. Twenty eight victims were aged 16 years or over at the time of assault. The assailants were known by 72 of the victims and were perceived by the victim to have a heterosexual orientation in 72% of these cases. Attacks were often multiple and in 33 cases involved disruption of skin or mucous membranes. Twenty victims received threats about the possibility of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus and 17 victims sought medical advice following the assault, most commonly from their general practitioner. It is suggested that greater opportunities for medical and psychological support should be given to male victims of sexual assault.     

无性防卫能力强奸案的犯罪学特点

目的：探讨精神发育迟滞女性被奸案特征及性防卫能力问题。方法：采用自编性罪错调查表对50例经司法鉴定为无性防卫能力的强奸案，与50例以正常女性为性侵害对象的强奸案进行比较。结果：无性防卫能力女性被奸案在案犯年龄、犯罪动机、是否熟人、犯罪时间地点、被奸次数，以及案发时案发后受害人的反应等方面均存在显著性差异。结论：无性防卫能力女性被奸案存在一定特征。