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Rape victims on trial: Understanding police officers' and jurors' beliefs about sexual assault, victims, and perpetrators. (2012–2014)

Abstract:
Legal decision-making in relation to sexual assault is often influenced by shared social beliefs (schemas). In investigating these beliefs, prior research has confounded different schemas - offence prototypes, sexual script schemas and victim and perpetrator stereotypes. It is unclear which schemas are influential and when, making it difficult to reduce the impact of such extra-legal factors. Our research will identify the key schemas, and advance social cognitive theory by demonstrating through a multi-method approach with police and community members when and how these particular schemas influence decision-making. We will also test two ways to reduce the influence of these extra-legal factors to promote a fairer legal system.
Grant type:
ARC Discovery Projects
Researchers:

  • Professor Barbara Masser

    ARCLB Chair in Donor Research
    School of Psychology
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

  • Professor Blake McKimmie

    Professor and Associate Dean (Acade
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
    Professor
    School of Psychology
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Funded by:
Australian Research Council