Assumptions of Law Enforcement Officers

Victimization

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nAssumptions of Law Enforcement Officers

nIn the video on sexual victims, the law enforcement officers make some assumptions when victims of sexual assault are reporting their cases. When they come to the police stations to report their cases, the majority of law enforcement officers argue that they do not understand what the victims say. In addition, they victims seem suspicious. In this regard, the law enforcement officers assume that the victims are lying and are dishonest. Therefore, they believe that the victims are acting (National Institute of Justice, 2016). Similarly, sexual crime detectives are 100 percent sure that the majority of victims lie when they are reporting their cases. The main reason behind this assumption is that most victims of sexual assault normally behave sketchy which makes the detectives to believe that they are making up or lying. In addition, this normally takes place when they are interrogating the victim (National Institute of Justice, 2016).

nAssumptions of Psychologists and Advocates

nHowever, these assumptions differ from advocates or psychologists assumptions. In this case, psychologists argue that sexual assault victims are not lying, contrary to law enforcement assumptions. In addition, when the victim seems suspicious, it makes sense to psychologists hence they are able to understand why they behave that way (National Institute of Justice, 2016). Most importantly, they are able to utilize knowledge from psychology and neurobiology to understand the behaviors and actions of victims in criminal justice. The majority of psychologists are 100 percent certain that the majority of victims are honest when reporting their cases (National Institute of Justice, 2016). Psychologists such as Dr. Campbell presented information showing false reporting from the sexual assault detectives.

nConsequences of such assumptions

nThe law enforcements assumptions have negative effects to victims of sexual assault because it leads to trauma. Therefore, these officers are incorrect when they claim that most victims lie when reporting their case. Instead, repeated interrogation forces the victim to look suspicious and sketchy (National Institute of Justice, 2016). Most importantly, this is referred to as trauma. In addition, the behaviors of sexual assault detectives lead to secondary victimization because they are likely to be subjected to stigmatizing actions and blame (Terry, 2012). In addition, the negative treatment from these officers increases their secondary victimization. The sexual assault detectives also lack compassion when dealing with the victims especially during interrogation. Consequently, it increases trauma to the victim.

nPoint of View

nThe information provided by Dr. Campbell play a crucial role in protecting victims of sexual assault from secondary victimization especially from the law enforcement officers. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to incorporate special training on these officers on how to handle victims of sexual assault victims (Terry, 2012). More significantly, it offers a chance for police to change their attitudes and behaviors towards victims of sexual assault (Terry, 2012). In addition, this will go a long way in assisting the law enforcement officers to use appropriate behaviors when investigating these cases.

nImprovements made in criminal justice systems

nVarious improvements have been implemented in criminal justice systems with regard to victims rights. First, trainings on law enforcement officer have been introduced in order to help them understand the behaviors of the victims, which are aimed at assisting them to change attitudes that victims lie when reporting their cases. In addition, it helps them to avoid victim blaming attitudes (Terry, 2012). Moreover, they are trained on the need to use open-minded approach when handling these victims. The interviews therefore, must incorporate the rights of victims in order to avoid recalling the events of crime.

nReferences

nNational Institute of Justice,. (2016). Dr. Rebecca Campbell on the Neurobiology of Sexual Assault – YouTube. Youtube.com. Retrieved 16 July 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpIlUxHJ-xbp9l6BWri-pRaAgkaORLSZy

nTerry, K. (2012). Sexual offenses and offenders: Theory, practice, and policy. Nelson Education.