REACTING TO RAPE: Exploring Mock Jurors' Assessments of Complainant Credibility

• Published in: British journal of criminology Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 202 - 219
• Main Authors: Ellison, Louise, Munro, Vanessa E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London OXFORD JOURNALS OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 01-03-2009; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Criminal justice; Criminology; Experimentation; Juries; Jurors; Perception; Plaintiffs; Police; Rape; Rape trauma syndrome; Sexual assault; Social norms; Social values; Trials; Violence against women; Women's rights
• ISSN: 0007-0955; 1464-3529
• DOI: 10.1093/bjc/azn077

This article discusses the findings of a study in which volunteers observed one of nine mini rape trial reconstructions, and were asked to deliberate as a group towards a verdict. In a context in which research with 'real' jurors is prohibited, these deliberations were analysed to better understand what goes on behind the closed doors of the jury room in rape cases. While previous research has established that jurors are often influenced by extra-legal factors relating to the complainant's behaviour before an alleged attack, this study explored the impact of complainant conduct during and post-assault on assessments of her credibility. More specifically, it examined the effects of (1) lack of physical resistance; (2) delayed reporting; and (3) calm emotional demeanour.