2: "The Very Characteristics of the Crime are the Same Factors That Lead People to Doubt the Legitimacy of a Report": Investigations, Pt. 1- Victim Blaming, Trauma, & Patrol Officers

Why are some sexual assaults never disclosed, or disclosed after a delay? How does the first response a survivor receives determine their long-term wellbeing, their likelihood to tell others, their likelihood to report to law enforcement, and their likelihood to stay involved in the criminal process? What are normal responses to traumatic events like rape? How do normal reactions to a traumatic event lead untrained officers and uneducated members of society to believe a victim is lying? What else is going on in the world of patrol officers that can lead them to not believe a sexual assault victim? And lastly, what can be done to fix this? Listen to learn.

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