Outline and discuss the fears about intrusive press coverage, unwanted publicity, and victim-blaming accusations that discourage some sexual assault victims from turning to the criminal justice system for help

What will be an ideal response?


Victim blaming provides a barrier to women wanting to report a rape, especially in the majority of cases where the offender is an acquaintance. Society has often focused on the blame-worthiness of the victim, arguing she was ‘asking for trouble' due to what she was wearing, how she was acting, or who she was hanging out with. Any behavior outside the socially proscribed gender roles will be the heart of the blame. If she was drinking, hanging out in a bar, or flirting—these behaviors would be seen as careless acts contributing to an inevitable victimization.
The media is more concerned with covering stranger rapes and rapes were there are physical injuries than the most common acquaintance rape. The media will simplify the character of the victim to either a pure innocent woman or a slut. With the later, the blame will be placed on the victim and this will be publicized widely, impacting the victims chances in obtaining justice through the criminal justice process. There has been controversy whether to publicize the name of the rape victim. One side contends rape victims need the additional protection, especially in light of the social mores which tend to blame her. The flip side contends this is a violation of a defendant's right to a fair trial and the media should not be censored.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

If the suspect has fled when an officer reaches a crime scene, what should be the officer's first course of action?

A) protect the crime scene B) call headquarters for a backup C) locate and question witnesses D) run after the suspect E) attend to the victim

Criminal Justice

The goal of _______________ is to ensure that the experimental and groups will be statistically equivalent

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Criminal Justice

List and define three of the five goals of criminal sentencing. Which of these goals do you believe is the most effective in dealing with defendants?

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

There are five levels of intelligence in policing

A. True B. False

Criminal Justice