Philip NS Rumney
Offender-centric policing in cases of rape
Rumney, Philip NS; McPhee, Duncan
Abstract
The article explores the idea of ‘offender-centric’ policing in cases of rape, with its focus on suspect and offender admissions and behaviours. It features discussion of 11 cases, illustrating offender-centric pathways to charge or conviction, the challenges facing complainants, suspects and police officers, along with missed opportunities to focus on a suspect’s behaviour. The importance of victim care and support is discussed, and it is argued that victim care should accompany an offender-centric approach to rape investigation. It is also argued that there are potential dangers with offender-centric tactics, specifically, that without due care it may become a self-confirming investigative tool influenced by confirmation bias which may lead to flawed decision-making. The article concludes by arguing that offender-centric policing has benefits in those cases with suspects who engage in predatory behaviour, have a history of previously undisclosed sexual offending and domestic violence and other problematic behaviours. It also has value in focusing the attention of investigators on what steps were taken by a suspect to ascertain the complainant’s consent. While the offender-centric approach cannot address all investigative challenges in rape cases, it is a useful addition to existing strategies.
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Jun 7, 2021 |
Online Publication Date | Jul 16, 2021 |
Publication Date | Dec 1, 2021 |
Deposit Date | Jul 20, 2021 |
Publicly Available Date | Dec 2, 2021 |
Journal | The Journal of Criminal Law |
Print ISSN | 0022-0183 |
Electronic ISSN | 1740-5580 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 85 |
Issue | 6 |
Pages | 425-440 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1177/00220183211027453 |
Keywords | Rape; sexual assault; police; offenders; investigation |
Public URL | https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7556453 |
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Offender-centric policing in cases of rape
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