Research in legal decision making has demonstrated the tendency to blame the victim and exonerate the perpetrator of sexual assault. This study examined the hypothesis of a special leniency bias in rape cases by comparing them to cases of robbery. N = 288 participants received descriptions of rape and robbery of a female victim by a male…

This article will present the restorative justice model and examine how the restorative justice philosophy and process can be applied to clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and religious sexual misconduct to resolve legal claims and allow the process of healing to begin. Restorative justice is a holistic approach to criminal, civil, and church law…

This report is intended as a guide to judges, prosecutors, legislators, and other involved professionals who are interested in implementing strategies or modifying existing practices to improve the treatment of child victims and witnesses in their jurisdictions. Part I of this document provides an overview of the literature and a preliminary…

This annotated bibliography highlights the literature available on two important aspects of assistance to victims and witnesses of crime. The first section, victim and witness services, covers the need, function and implementation of services to assist victims, elements of effective programs and evaluation of specific programs. The second section,…

Investigates whether the victim-offender relationship plays a role in determining the original charge, crime conviction, and sentence length of inmates in prison for violent crimes. Results indicate the victim-offender relationship is related to the legal processing in paradoxical ways. Thus, although nonstranger offenders are charged with and…

Reports the findings of victim interviews and archival data concerning incidents of woman abuse. Results for samples monitored over a 6- to 12-month period supported the use of arrest on first police visits to the home and subsequent action by the courts, including ordering perpetrators into treatment. (RJM)

Coverage of the New Bedford Massachusetts "Big Dan's Tavern Rape Trial" by Cable News Network (CNN) television cameras was ostensibly for educational purposes, to examine how rape victims are treated in court and how the judicial process works in general. However, the sensational nature of the trial strongly suggests that it was…

To aid colleges and universities in protecting students and other potential victims of crime, a general analysis of the pertinent case law concerning institutional tort liability for campus crime is provided. The analysis of case law explains that lawsuits are usually based on the theory of negligence. Negligence consists of four elements: duty;…

A conference on the role of the prosecutor in spouse assault cases, organized by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and the Center for Women Policy Studies (CWPS) was held in Memphis, Tennessee, September 25-28, 1978. The objectives of this conference are described in terms of the need to reach consensus on how cases should be…

A compilation, analysis and interpretation are provided of the court cases, involving crime or criminal-like behavior on college campuses, that have reached the appellate courts. The book is designed for the non-lawyer administrator. In addition, suggestions for successful administrative strategies are offered, together with checklists for…