The impact of detectives’ manner of questioning on rape victims’ disclosure
Abstract
Research has documented that few reported rapes are prosecuted by the legal system. The purpose of this study is to explain how the interactions between victims and detectives can strengthen or weaken the investigation itself. Twenty rape victims were interviewed to examine how law enforcement detectives' manner of questioning affects rape victims' level of disclosure. Using qualitative methodology, the results show that the detectives' manner of questioning can play a role in victims' disclosure. Detectives using a gentle manner of questioning with victims can help produce stronger victim statements and thus build stronger cases for prosecution.
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It is well known from victimology that victims establish a better rapport with police if their concerns are listened to and their listeners show empathy towards them.
“It is well known from victimology (e.g., Lonsway and Archambault 2021; Maddox et al. 2011; Patterson 2011) that victims establish a better rapport with police if their concerns are listened to and their listeners show empathy towards them.”
From “If We Don’t Listen to Them, We Make Them Lose More than Money:” Exploring Reasons for Underreporting and the Needs of Older Scam Victims (2023) · cites this paper as Patterson 2011
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Parti, K., & Tahir, F. (2023) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci12050264 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“It is well known from victimology (e.g., Lonsway and Archambault 2021; Maddox et al. 2011; Patterson 2011) that victims establish a better rapport with police if their concerns are listened to and their listeners show empathy towards them.”
Sexual Assault Case Attrition: The Voices of Survivors
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- Authors
- Patterson, D.
- Affiliations
- Wayne State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Patterson, Debra
- ORCID
- Patterson, Debra
- Venue
- Violence Against Women
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-11
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1349-1373
- ISSN
- 1077-8012 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-8448
- OpenAlex
- W2134364842
- Cited by
- 93
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 7.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Violence Against Women (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Deception detection and forensic psychology
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Keywords
- rape victims, detectives, investigative interviewing, victim disclosure, victim statements, victim-offender interaction, sexual assault investigation
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Rape, Violence, Police, Crime Victims, Disclosure, Law Enforcement, Qualitative Research, Young Adult
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