Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain
A staggering 38% increase in reported cases of sexual assault in Canada in 2022, with over 34,000 cases brought to the attention of the police.
Shockingly, it is believed that only a mere 6% of sexual assaults are actually reported, indicating a much higher number of incidents occurring in the country.
In a groundbreaking study conducted with graduate student Lauren E. Thompson, we delved into the perceptions of jurors regarding the credibility of sexual assault allegations that have been delayed in reporting.
Our research focused on how jurors view delayed reports (ranging from two months to 20 years) and the reasons behind the delays, such as fear of retaliation, lack of evidence, or the desire to keep the incident hidden from family members. Through a simulated juror scenario, we examined how these factors influenced perceptions of the victim and the final verdict.
There are numerous factors that contribute to why victims of sexual assault may choose not to report the crime or delay reporting it.
One major concern for victims is the fear
2024-08-04 13:15:03
Original article available at phys.org
