Does Gender Affect Judges’ Perceptions of Sexual Assault Cases? Burgstedt, C., Beeby, A., Hayne, H., Hobbs, L., Gross, J., & Patterson, T. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(0), 1 – 43.

Summary:

This study explored the impacts of offender gender on judge perceptions  of female versus male sex offender and found that there were unique differences that could explain more lenient sentences for females.

Intimate Partner Violence, Legal Systems and Barriers for African American Women Gutowski, E., R., Freitag, S., Zhang, S., Thompson, M.P., & Kaslow, N.J. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(0), 1 – 20.

Summary:

Significant research has explored barriers African Americans face when they attempt to seek help from the legal system. This study found that hopelessness may partially explain low rates in help-seeking for this population.

Rape Crisis Victim Advocacy: A Systematic Review Wegrzyn, A., Tull, P., Greeson, M.R., Pierre-Louis, C., Patton, E., & Shaw, J. (2022).

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 0(0), 1 – 20.

Summary:

This review examined RCC advocacy, perceptions and impact of advocacy, and challenges and facilitators to effective service provision. Findings showed that advocacy is multi-faceted, beneficial, and challenging. While advocates are generally regarded positively by survivors and responders, some responders had concerns that advocates sometimes report victim-blaming and being ill-equipped to meet survivors’ need. Advocates reported that they face specific challenges in their work with survivors and responders.

The Effect of Domestic Violence During Pregnancy on Cortisol Hormone Release, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Avci, S., Ortabag, T., Ulusal, H., & Taysi, S. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(0).

Summary:

This study was conducted to determine the effect of domestic violence during pregnancy on the cortisol hormone release, preterm birth, low birth weight, and breastfeeding status. The study found that domestic violence affected cortisol hormone secretion, breastfeeding after birth and newborn health.

Implicit Racial and Gender Bias About Handguns: A New Implicit Association Test Ellyson, A.M., Martin, K.D., Bowen, D., Gallagher, A., & Rivara, F.P. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1 – 21.

Summary:

This study measured racial bias about women and handguns and addressed stereotypes about gun competence and victimization that vary based on race and gender. Findings suggest there is an anti-Black implicit bias about women with handguns (associating Black women with handguns) among adults and support the need for further research measuring racism in systems and structures that intersect with gun possession.

Risk Management in Stalking Victims: A Multi-Agency Approach to Victim Advocacy Jerath, K., Tompson, L., & Belur, J. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence

Summary:

This study explores the needs of stalking victims from the perspectives of stalking victims, advocates and stakeholders involved in a pilot Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Program (MASIP). Findings revealed that victims believed the advocacy service of this unique Program aided their ability to cope with stalking.

“Just Bring Us the Real Ones”: The Role of Forensic Crime Laboratories in Guarding the Gateway to Justice for Sexual Assault Victims Campbell, R., & Fehler-Cabral, G. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(7-8), 3675 – 3702.

Summary:

Less than 10% of sexual assault cases reported to the police end in a conviction or guilty plea. The most precipitous drop-off in case progression occurs quite early as law enforcement personnel clear most cases without a referral to prosecutors.Throughout the U.S., hundreds of thousands of sexual assault kits have never been submitted by law enforcement personnel to a crime laboratory for forensic DNA testing. The purpose of this study was to explore the collaboration between police and crime lab personnel regarding SAK submissions.

Disclosure of Sexual Assault Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Systematic Literature Review Edwards, K.M., Mauer, V.A., Huff, M., Farquhar-Leicester, A., Sutton, T.E., & Ullman, S.E. (2022).

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 0(0), 1 – 16.

Summary:

Sexual assault is common in sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, but few studies have examined SGM victims’ disclosure experiences. Bisexual women were more likely to disclose to formal and informal sources than other women, and SGM victims disclose to mental health professionals at particularly high rates. SGM victims also reported key barriers to disclosure. Impacts of negative social reactions appear to be more negative on psychological symptoms of SGM victims, whereas positive reactions are helpful to recovery.

Encouraging Asian Immigrant Women to Disclose Intimate Partner Violence in Primary Care Settings Tavrow, P., Azucar, D., Huynh, D., Yoo, C., Liang, D., Pathomrit, W., & Withers, M. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(7-8), 5626 – 5648.

Summary:

Studies have found that Asian immigrant women who experience IPV are less likely than other immigrant women to report abuse to authorities or to access services.  The main objective of this study was to obtain Asian immigrant women’s assessments on whether watching videos placed in clinic consultation rooms could prompt patients to discuss IPV with their provider.

Sex Offenses Perpetrated Against Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors Almond, L., Sainsbury, M., & McManus, M. (2022).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(7-8), 4815 – 4839.

Summary:

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between crime scene behaviors and background characteristics of offenders who commit sexual offenses against female victims aged 60 years or older. Applications for law enforcement agencies regarding identified themes and links with likely offender background characteristics are highlighted.