Abstract
Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes, making it a difficult issue to study with confidence in the validity of the data collected. The present article examines the research literature regarding victim decisions to report the crime and to prosecute assailants. Reporting appears to depend on several factors, including aspects of the rape situation, victims' demographic and psychological characteristics, availability and influence of social supports, experiences and perceptions of law enforcement personnel, and victim attitudes and beliefs about the court process and about personal capacities to control the environment. The impact of the legal process on victims is then reviewed with respect to studies of emotional reactions to police contact, the hearing and trial proceedings, and the verdict and sentencing decisions. Implications of these findings are discussed, including an evident need to assist victims in regaining a sense of control.
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