Research on individual (mock) jurors suggests that socially shared inaccurate stereotypes and misperceptions about sexual assault influence perceptions of the credibility of complainants and the likelihood that the defendant is guilty. However, juries, not individuals, return verdicts in jury trials for sexual assault, and there is very limited evidence about whether the influence of stereotypes and misperceptions about sexual assault persists during deliberation. Research more generally suggests that group deliberation can promote more thorough consideration of the evidence or, conversely, focus the group on seeking consensus around socially shared information such as stereotypes. Mock jurors ( N = 103) watched a video of a fictional trial where the complainant gave evidence which included whether she responded in ways that were consistent or inconsistent with stereotypical complainant behaviour and whether the perpetrator acted in ways consistent or inconconsistent with stereotypical sexual assault. Participants then deliberated in juries ( N = 10) with the goal of reaching a unanimous verdict. A mixed-effects analysis found that the effect of case stereotypicality increased after deliberation, indicating that deliberation did not mitigate the negative effect of stereotypes on perceptions of complainants as reflected in discussions which focused largely on inaccurate stereotypes. These results suggest that juries may benefit from interventions that assist them to rely less on inaccurate stereotypes in sexual assault cases. • Investigates the effect of deliberation on stereotypes in sexual assault trials • Includes a manipulation of case stereotypicality. • Analyses deliberation content for myth-based discussion. • Deliberation contained stereotype consistent content. • Deliberation increased the effect of stereotypes on outcomes.

Perceptions and knowledge of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder among health professionals involved in intrapartum and postpartum care.

Is hazing a public health issue according to the public? Examining hazing beliefs and experiences in a sample of American adults.

Sex-specific marker abnormalities in a phenotypic male involved in a sexual assault case

Cervical screening can be lifesaving, yet attendance rates are lower than recommended within the general population and even lower within the autistic population. There is currently no published research systematically exploring autistic people's cervical screening experiences. This research aimed to explore the experience of cervical ("smear") screening for autistic people in the United Kingdom. Autistic people (N = 97) completed an online mixed-methods questionnaire about their cervical screening experiences. Questions considered experiences of pain, sensory and communication issues, knowledge of cervical cancer, attitudes towards screening, and experience of sexual assault. Findings suggest that an autistic person's intention to attend their screening is important to understand their actual attendance at the screening. Quantitatively, pain, sensory and communication issues, or knowledge of cervical cancer were not associated with screening attendance. However, qualitatively, they were. Two themes emerged: "Communication disconnect across the care journey" and" Echoes of the past: the lasting impact of previous care encounters" were discussed as barriers to screening engagement. This research highlights the need to improve healthcare communication and other accessibility needs for autistic people when attending cervical screening and for further development of appropriate measurement tools. More research is needed to further inform methods of improving cervical screening services for autistic people.Lay AbstractCervical screening ("smear tests") can prevent the development of cervical cancer by spotting the signs early. These screening tests can be lifesaving. A large number of the general population do not attend their cervical screening test when invited, and this is even higher for autistic people. One problem is that there is no research to understand why autistic people might not attend their smear tests. We asked autistic people in the United Kingdom to complete a questionnaire online to see who has attended their smear test when invited and looked at different things that might be important in this decision. Pain, sensory issues, and knowledge of cervical cancer did not seem to be important in explaining who did and did not attend a screening appointment. Communication (before, during, and after the screening tests) and previous negative experiences of healthcare (both in general and previous cervical screening tests) were important. This research further highlights the need for more training for healthcare providers in communication for diverse communities and communication needs. More research is also needed to better understand autistic people's cervical screening and wider healthcare experiences.

Kimberly Meyers reported a sexual assault at Grapevine University, leading to a Title IX investigation that resulted in the male respondent’s expulsion. The respondent later sued the university for selective enforcement, and the case drew federal attention that triggered a Clery Act review. The Department of Education identified multiple reporting and classification failures, resulting in significant proposed fines. This case illustrates the intersection of Title IX procedures, Clery Act obligations, and institutional accountability. It is designed to help current and future educational leaders analyze how reporting decisions, investigative practices, and regulatory compliance shape campus safety, organizational culture, and legal risk across higher education and PK–12 settings.

This paper seeks to examine how drug abuse affects peace and stability within certain districts of Mogadishu in Somalia. Using the descriptive and explanatory methodology, the study aims at comprehending the connection between drug abuse and its impacts on the community. To choose the 153 study participants, a non-probability stratified random sampling method will be applied. The samples of people who used as respondents were local leaders, academics, NGOs, women groups, and youth organizations in the districts of Abdi-Aziz, Boondheere, Waaberi and Hodan. The actual data collection was carried out in the form of face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The answers were then coded and then analyzed in SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). The researcher cites bars and hotels as the most common places of drug abuse with the educational institutions demonstrating relatively lower drug-related behaviors. In addition, the study also brings the issue of youth unemployment as a major factor that leads to the spread of drug abuse. It is promoting better border control and tight supervision of the seaports in an effort to curb drug trafficking in Somalia. The results show that the greatest proportion of drug abusers is represented by people between 15 and 25. The major drug facilitators of illicit drug trade in the country are identified as Somali drug cartels, organized crime groups and drug import companies. The research highlights that unemployment among young people needs to be resolved in order to open employment opportunities, education, and activities as the prevention of drug abuse. The paper finally found a range of negative consequences, such as an increase in murder, robbery, sexual assaults, theft, violence, and social unrest, all of which negatively affect the security and stability of the country. The research recommends the use of a holistic approach, which focuses on the implementation of evidence-based prevention initiatives among vulnerable groups with specific emphasis to the youth. It should focus these programs on education, awareness and development of life skills to deter the use of drugs and provide alternative opportunities. It is therefore advisable that the Mogadishu municipality should invest in available and quality drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities to help the people who struggle with drug addiction including counseling, detoxification, and long-term rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Postsecondary policymaking has entered an era of entrenched partisanship. Yet scholars have rarely sought to explain partisan differences in postsecondary policy support. This paper proposes that differences in information consumption among lawmakers are associated with and help explain political differences in support for higher education policies. Extending research on policy knowledge use, we challenge C.P. Snow’s “Two Cultures” framework by showing that policymakers draw on multiple, competing sources of authority—often outside traditional expert channels. Drawing on a national survey of state legislators, we use exploratory structural equation modeling to predict lawmaker support for policies related to campus carry, undocumented students, campus sexual assault, and political viewpoint diversity. We find that lawmakers differ in their reliance on sources of information related to legislative expertise, technical expertise, and religious authority. Moreover, the results suggest that the polarization of higher education policy among lawmakers reflects partisan differences in the kinds of information they consume.

To detail the attendance of female Irish Travellers at the national Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) network. Retrospective cross-sectional study examining the attendance of female patients who identified as members of the Irish Traveller community at the national SATU network between 2017 and 2023 and comparing them with all other female attenders. There were 5942 female attendances during the study period, of which 54 were Irish Traveller women with a mean age of 25.9 ± 11.5 years; with 35 (64.8%) presenting within 7 days of assault. Most attended with police involvement (40, 74.1%), assaults most commonly occurred in the victim's home (14, 25.9%) or outdoors (13, 24.1%), and perpetrators were frequently family members (13, 24.1%), intimate/ex-intimate partners (12 combined, 22.2%), acquaintances of more than 24 h (8, 14.8%), or strangers (9, 16.7%). Compared with other female attenders, Irish Traveller women were significantly less likely to present within 24 h (24.1% vs 39.7%; odds ratio [OR] 0.48 P = 0.02) and to report alcohol use in the preceding 24 h (OR 0.33, P < 0.001), but were significantly more likely to report a family member (OR 8.25, P < 0.001) or an intimate/ex-intimate partner (OR 2.04, P = 0.03) as the assailant. This study provides the first national analysis of Irish Traveller women attending SATU in Ireland and highlights distinct differences in the patterns of perpetrator relationship and timing of presentation compared with other female attenders.

ABSTRACT Despite research highlighting high attrition rates in intimate partner rape and sexual assault cases progressing through the criminal justice system, limited attention has been paid to the investigation of these offences within the broader context of domestic abuse, and specifically coercive control. Addressing this gap, this exploratory study draws on seven anonymised police case examples and 20 interviews with police investigators and supervisors to illustrate the barriers to investigating and charging rape and sexual assault offences in the context of (ex)intimate partner domestic abuse. We focus on the context of England and Wales, where legislation was enacted in 2015 to criminalise ‘controlling or coercive behaviour’. We identify seven issues spanning the investigation and prosecution process, demonstrating how a lack of understanding of, or engagement with, the broader dynamics of abuse, specifically coercive control, can be present at all stages of the investigation and prosecution process. We also show how situating intimate partner sexual violence in the context of coercive control can overcome some of the difficulties associated with investigating and prosecuting this type of offending. This is illustrated through a case example of a successful intimate partner sexual violence prosecution in which a controlling or coercive behaviour charge provided crucial evidence to support the sexual offence charges. The findings point to the value of employing a coercive control lens for police investigative practice and for how victim engagement in intimate partner sexual violence cases is understood and responded to across the criminal justice system.

Women are more likely to be raped by an acquaintance than a stranger but are more fearful of stranger rape. We apply the concept of unique invulnerability to explain this paradox. Results indicate that women are aware of the greater risk of acquaintance rape for the general population, but believe that they, and their close friends, are less vulnerable to this threat. However, this perceived invulnerability was reduced among women who had previously experienced sexual assault. Women may believe that their acquaintances are incapable of rape, making them feel uniquely invulnerable to risk patterns impacting the broader population.

Sexual assault medical forensic examinations are recommended post-assault health care, but there is a national shortage of specially trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). The goal of this project was to expand the SANE workforce in a Midwestern state by creating and implementing a free, statewide didactic and clinical skills training program. This study evaluated attrition rates throughout the training program. Prospective trainees completed an online application assessing education, professional experience, motivations, perceived barriers to completion, and emotional readiness for forensic practice. Of 497 applicants, 327 were eligible and 254 enrolled; 38% attrited before completing both phases. Attrition was more common during the didactic phase, particularly after the module on assessing physical examination findings. Nurses who perceived unmet SANE service needs in their communities were significantly more likely to complete training. Targeted instructional engagement and peer support during emotionally intensive content may improve SANE training completion.

Gun ownership is often motivated by a desire to protect oneself and one's family from perceived threats. These perceived dangers may include hypothetical or future scenarios and can be based on personal experiences of victimization. In this article, we extend the extant body of literature assessing the linkages between criminal victimization and firearm ownership and related behaviors, leveraging data from the Guns in American Life Survey. In particular, we examine whether ever being a victim of sexual assault-by itself or also experiencing other forms of violence is associated with gun ownership and practices and whether these patterns vary by gender. Our dependent variables include firearm ownership and related behaviors (i.e., firearm storage methods, loaded status, and carrying). Our findings present a mix of both expected and surprising outcomes. The type of victimization plays a significant role in understanding patterns of gun ownership and behaviors. Interestingly, experiencing rape alone was positively associated with only one outcome-access to a loaded gun for males-and negatively associated with one outcome-male victims' gun ownership. Experiencing sexual assault and another form of violent victimization was positively associated with most outcomes. Additionally, gender differences emerge in these relationships, suggesting that men and women may respond differently to victimization when it comes to firearm ownership and usage. We address these findings and conclude with a discussion of policy implications.

ABSTRACT This article examines the role of leadership for preventing abuses of power through harassment and bullying in the Swedish performing arts, highlighting the significance of feminist and anti-oppressive leadership. Previous studies of harassment and bullying in workplaces across sectors have identified the role of leadership as central. For example, passive leadership has been found to increase the likelihood of sexual harassment, work cultures of bullying have been found to begin at the top of an organization, and leadership has been found to be the best opportunity to prevent sexual harassment and assault. The article aims to understand the impact of leadership on prevention strategies against harassment and bullying. It is based on interviews with leaders, recorded observations of rehearsals and written policies from two Swedish performing arts institutions. Understanding organizational structures and processes as always already gendered and shaped by inequality regimes of gender, class, and race, we focus here on how harassment and bullying is approached in practice and on paper. Our conclusions are that feminist and anti-oppressive leadership is highly significant for the institutional ability to live up to the written policies in practice, and the analysis describes successful ways of working to prevent harassment and bullying.

ABSTRACT Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR), or “stealthing,” remains culturally and institutionally under-recognized despite its documented harms. This study draws on grounded theory interviews with 15 survivors to examine how they interpret and communicate experiences of ambiguous sexual harm. Survivors described embodied distress but often distanced themselves from the language of victimhood and engaged in social calibration to make sense of unlabeled violations. Findings reveal a culture of silent sacrifice, wherein survivors suppress personal harm to preserve social or relational stability. By centering survivors' meaning-making and examining how people navigate the space between consent and coercion without institutional or cultural support, this project contributes to feminist, critical, and communication scholarship, highlighting how harm is normalized through everyday interaction.

ABSTRACT The relationship between sexual victimization and communication is crucial to examine, given research suggesting that effective and frequent communication about sexual activities helps facilitate safer sex behaviors, sexual functioning, and pleasure. Building on prior studies in this area, which tend to focus on assertiveness, the current study examines childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adolescent/adulthood sexual assault (ASA), and communication frequency across three domains: safer sex behaviors, sexual interests, and consent/boundaries. The sample consisted of 422 sexually-active undergraduates recruited from four U.S. universities (Mage = 19.77; 76.5% women). Moderation analyses revealed that more severe ASA was associated with more frequent communication about safer sex and consent, but only for those with a history of CSA. The elevated frequency of communication following more severe and repeated sexual victimization may highlight survivors’ resilience in having ongoing conversations about safety in sexual situations.

Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) may involve a diverse array of substances, including illicit drugs, prescription medications, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Hair analysis has emerged as a valuable forensic tool, offering an extended window of detection spanning several months. However, interpreting drug concentrations in hair can be challenging in forensic cases, as there are still substantial disparities in drug concentration findings across studies, or even no data available in the literature. This compendium seeks to contribute to the understanding and interpretation of forensic cases involving hair analysis. This study included hair analysis results upon prosecutor request over 6 years in Grenoble Forensic Laboratory from 2019 to 2024. Segmental hair analysis was performed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on Sciex® 5500QT and Waters® TQ-XS mass spectrometers, following Society of Hair Testing guidelines. Screened substances included drugs of abuse, benzodiazepines, sedative medications, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), depending on the case, following French Society of Analytical Toxicology guidelines. Hair proficiency quality testing ensured reproducible results. In this compendium, 22 authentic DFSA cases are described with hair analysis. The cohort predominantly involved female victims (95%) aged 13-47 years. Hair analysis was positive in nine cases (41%), revealing the presence of at least one psychoactive substance. Substances identified were alimemazine, alprazolam, bromazepam, cetirizine, clozapine, codeine, cyamemazine, hydroxyzine, oxazepam, zolpidem, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The chemical profile observed primarily included sedating and amnesic pharmaceuticals, but not only. This compendium adds valuable data in the literature for better hair drug concentration interpretation in forensic cases.

Summary “Seeds of strength” may be sown following a sexual assault, as survivors begin their recovery within specialized care centers. This empirical qualitative study conceptualizes the psychosocial interventions provided by social workers in Israeli sexual assault referral centers (SARCs), where social workers serve as case managers within multidisciplinary teams, a structure unique to Israel compared to commonly described international models. Guided by a trauma-informed care framework and grounded in Constructivist Grounded Theory, the study applied a Multiple Perspective Interviews approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants at a northern Israeli SARC, including eight survivors of sexual assault and eight social workers. Data were analyzed using the Constant Comparative Method to develop a conceptual understanding of intervention components from both professional and experiential perspectives. Findings Four core components of psychosocial intervention were identified: a supportive holding space; restoring a sense of control; information provision; and empowerment. Together, these components describe how care is experienced as emotionally containing, choice-enhancing, informative, and strengthening in the acute postassault context. Applications The strong alignment between social workers’ professional intentions and survivors’ perceptions highlights the effectiveness of Israeli SARCs in delivering trauma-responsive psychosocial care. Beyond its conceptual contribution, the study informed national quality assessment processes led by the Medical Division of the Israeli Ministry of Health. The findings provide a foundation for developing evaluation tools, training programs, and future research on psychosocial interventions in acute sexual assault care, with potential relevance to SARC models in other settings.

Many women who experience child or adolescent sexual assault (CASA) are revictimized as adults. Although researchers have made considerable progress in understanding mechanisms that increase risk for adult revictimization, including CASA-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), few have explored factors that protect against this association. Drawing from the resilience portfolio model and prior research, this study examined perceived social support, gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism as potential strengths-based factors that may reduce revictimization risk. Participants were 405 college women with a history of CASA who completed three assessments over 1 year. As expected, PTSS stemming from CASA predicted greater adult revictimization across the yearlong study period. A multidimensional approach to these data revealed that a latent psychological strengths factor including gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism predicted lower odds of revictimization among survivors with low-to-moderate PTSS, although this protective association weakened as PTSS increased. In contrast, perceived social support was unrelated to revictimization. Findings suggest that psychological strengths may be protective under certain conditions, highlighting the importance of matching strengths-oriented recommendations to survivors' symptom severity. Future researchers should examine whether tailored approaches that both address posttraumatic stress and build personal strengths reduce revictimization risk and foster resilience and well-being among women CASA survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the unique mental and physical health related experiences of male sexual assault survivors is important for helping this underserved group. The present study aimed to examine whether male survivors of sexual trauma who struggle with self-blame are more likely than other men exposed to potentially traumatic events to engage in reduced exercise and increased eating to cope with negative affect. Participants were a racially diverse sample of 639 male university students who were all directly exposed to a DSM-5 Criterion A potentially traumatic event. Of the 639 participants, 93 reported a history of sexual trauma. We hypothesized that men with sexual trauma histories would report more maladaptive health behaviors compared to men with other trauma histories, and that self-blame would moderate these associations. We found that sexual trauma, but not self-blame, was associated with reduced exercise. In addition, we found no direct effects of self-blame or sexual trauma for eating behaviors, however a significant interaction emerged whereby sexual trauma survivors with lower levels of self-blame were significantly more likely to eat to cope with negative affect. These findings highlight the complex role of trauma type and self-blame in shaping health behavior and point to considerations for clinicians working with male survivors, including the challenges some men may face in engaging in regular exercise during trauma recovery.