The Factors Related to Rape Reporting Behavior and Arrest

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Abstract
Using recently released data from the redesigned National Crime Victimization Survey from 1992 to 1994, this article examines those factors related to the probability of a rape victimization being reported to police and the subsequent probability of an arrest being made. The contextual characteristics examined were the victim-offender relationship, injuries sustained by victims, weapon use by offenders, marital status and age of victim, and location of occurrence. Analyses focused exclusively on one-on-one incidents of rape against adult women perpetrated by males. The only factors that appeared to significantly increase the likelihood of a rape victimization being reported to police was if the victim sustained physical injuries in addition to the rape and if the offender used a weapon. None of the contextual factors were significant in predicting the probability of police making an arrest. Implications for policy and the effectiveness of rape law reforms are discussed.

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