How Do Investigation Experiences Shape Views of the Police? Qualitatively Exploring Sexual Assault Survivors’ Interactions With Police Detectives and Subsequent Views of the Police

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to views of the police among sexual assault survivors. Understanding views of the police among a large population of crime victims who have historically been silenced and mistreated by our criminal-legal system can help inform recent and ongoing conversations about police funding and criminal justice reform. Qualitative interview data from a community sample of sexual assault survivors explored how police-detective interactions during sexual assault investigations shape views of the police. Negative interactions led to negative views of the police and for some were based on a culmination of positive and negative experiences. I share recommendations for responding to sexual assault that consider sexual assault survivors’ experiences with and views of the police.