The Word of a Woman?: Police, Rape and Belief

by J. Jordan

Overview

The notion that women lie about rape is a prevalent belief with pervasive influence. This book is unique in combining police file data with interviews obtained from both rape survivors and detectives in order to critically explore how this belief affects police officers' responses to women who report rape. Examination of this material is located within a broader analysis of the historical and socio-cultural environment, and illustrates how rape investigations continue to be conducted within the context of pervasive beliefs and stereotypes regarding both the nature of rape and the nature of women.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349515523
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2004
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2004
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

JAN JORDAN is Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Criminology in Wellington, New Zealand. She teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses addressing gender and crime issues, and is a regular contributor to police training courses. Her research on rape has been published in international academic journals, and her first book, Working Girls: Women in the New Zealand Sex Industry, won national recognition and awards.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Credibility Conundrum 'She Stings While She Delights': Rape Definitions and Representations 'Have You Really Been Raped?': Criminal Justice System Responses Beyond Belief: Police Files on Rape Having 'A Nose for It': How Investigators Investigate Perfect Victims/Perfect Policing?: In the Words of the Women 'Getting it Right': Reviewing Police Responses to Rape Conclusion: True 'Lies' and False 'Truths'