Collaborative social work practice in opposing paradigms: Issues to emerge from a sexual assault and mental health project

The following paper discusses my experiences of coordinating a community development project to develop collaborative links between a mental health and a sexual assault service. It presents a critically reflective description and analysis of this work to outline how post modern ideas were used to maximise the possibilities of using feminist frameworks in practice.<br />

Correlates of sexual assault in a sample of male African American crack cocaine users

Although numerous studies have reported an association between substance use and sexual assault, little is known about the impact of sexual assault on male African American crack cocaine users. This study found that from a sample of 137 respondents from Houston, Texas, one-third reported having been sexually assaulted at least once during their lifetime. Respondents who reported sexual assault were using cocaine more often and were more likely to be physically dependent on drugs and to report greater numbers of physical health problems due to their drug use. However, no differences were identified in respect of reported mental health problems, or problems with family, friends or the workplace associated with drug use. The findings suggest further research as to the impact of sexual assault on male crack cocaine users is warranted and that clinical staff working with male substance users require some awareness of the impacts of sexual assault.<br />

Who speaks on footballers and sexual assault? A gender analysis of sports reporting

The recent spate of sexual assault allegations made against Australian Football League (AFL) players has generated intense media scrutiny and public concern. Following from similar highly publicised allegations directed at the National Rugby League, these incidents have engendered significant debates around sexism and football culture in the popular press. It is the media&rsquo;s response to allegations of sexual assault made against AFL footballers that will be analysed here. This study offers a content analysis of articles from the sport sections of two major Australian newspapers, The Age and the Herald-Sun, with the aim of assessing the prevalence of women&rsquo;s perspectives on the issue of player misconduct and whether the gender of the reporter has any bearing on gender stereotyping in sport reporting. By assessing how the phenomenon of player misconduct has been covered in sport news, this paper evaluates the media&rsquo;s role in changing dominant attitudes and perceptions of gender relations in Australian society.<br />

An assault on identity : the male view of being made redundant

Participation and success in paid work is a key element of identity for many men. The increased prevalence of downsizing, and the discarding of individuals from organisations, therefore has particular pertinence when considering men&rsquo;s workplace experiences. This paper discusses findings from an exploratory study investigating the experiences of Australian executives who had been made redundant. Three themes related to male identity are presented: the impact on respondents&rsquo; positions as breadwinners for their families; a concern for being seen to be capable and in control; and perceptions of loss of status upon returning to work. These executives expressed feelings of anger, sadness, fear and embarrassment as a result of the assault to their identity. There is a need for continued focus on these experiences and their implications for both men and women, particularly as individuals report undergoing multiple redundancies.<br />

Female university students' perceptions of a sexual assault when victim and perpetrator gender are varied

This study examines the general impressions and blame attributions of Trinidadian university students in cases of sexual assault. Participants were 132 female students from the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Social Sciences. Each respondent read one of four sexual assault scenarios, in which victim and perpetrator gender were varied. Participants' impressions of the incident, opinions about each party's behaviour, blame attributions, attitudes about reporting the incident to the police, desired outcome, and their reasons for these were then assessed. Consistent with Burt's rape myth theory, the qualitative and quantitative results showed a tendency for participants to attribute an internal locus of control to female victims, and to blame them more than males. Although same sex events evoked significantly more emotional and disgust-related reactions, these reactions did not translate into different seriousness scores, or different ideas about whether the victim should report the incident to the police. Although respondents showed an ability to separate their initial reactions from their attitudes about the legal status of the event, many of the response patterns indicated gender role biases on the part of these future professionals.<br />

The identification of sexual and violent motivations in men who assault women : implication for treatment

A qualitative analysis of interview data with 41 rapists determined that five implicit theories (ITs) underlie rapists&rsquo; offense supportive beliefs/feelings/motives: (a) dangerous world (DW)&mdash;where men have feelings of generalized anger and/or resentment toward others; (b) women are dangerous&mdash;where men hold a set of attitudes that are hostile toward women; (c) women as sexual objects (WSO)&mdash;where women are seen as primarily sexual objects; (d) male sex drive is uncontrollable&mdash;where sexual urges are seen all consuming; (e) entitlement&mdash;where men feel that they can do exactly what they want. Consideration of whether DW or WSO ITs were present or absent indicated that three main groups could be identified: Group 1: violently motivated&mdash;presence of DW and/or absence of WSO; Group 2: sexually motivated&mdash;presence of WSO and/or absence of DW; Group 3: sadistically motivated&mdash;presence of DW and WSO. These results are discussed in terms of treatment needs of rapists.

Representation of female offender types within the pathways model of assault

Research into the heterogeneity of female violent offending is sparse, even though females constitute a growing part of the prisoner population. There is evidence that the majority of female violent offenders display over-controlled traits related to uncharacteristic offending. This hypothesis was explored through a multivariate model, the Pathways Model of Assault, with interview data from 17 female assault offenders. Five different offence types were displayed, reflecting the same offence styles as male offenders. However, only two participants displayed an over-controlled offence type. Qualitative differences within the data suggested that offender rehabilitation should be tailored specifically for different gender needs in addition to the needs suggested by the different offence types.

The Pathways model of assault : a qualitative analysis of the assault offender and offence

Research on offending behavior rehabilitation suggests that offenders would gain the maximum benefit from programs that reflect the individual needs of different types of offender. Multivariate theories of offending behavior are thus required to inform individualized rehabilitation. The aim of the current study was to construct a multivariate model for the prolific offense of assault. Qualitative methodology was used to construct a descriptive model of assault for 25 adult assault offenders. The model incorporated the development of violent behavior, types of anger, violence motivation, and the assault offense. The model consisted of 14 categories, 10 of which allowed for individual differences in behavior. A total of 35 participant transcripts were then coded through the model where the individual differences occurred. Five main offense types were found. The characteristics of the types of assault offense gave indications for how rehabilitation may be targeted for each group.

Professionals' perceptions of a new model of sexual assault investigation adopted by Victoria Police

This article presents a qualitative evaluation of a new method of operation for sexual assault investigation developed by Victoria Police. The model is characterised by two core components: the establishment of specialist teams of investigators responsible for investigation and victim support; and the establishment of service sites, referred to as 'Multidisciplinary Centres', where all key services are located in a single building separate from police stations. The research approach consisted of in-depth interviews with 90 stakeholders (police, counsellors, medical officers, child protection workers and prosecutors). Collectively, these interviews revealed strong, unanimous support for the ideologies that underpinned the new reforms. Reported outcomes included the following: improved collaboration; increased victim satisfaction, referrals between professionals and reporting rates; reduced response and investigation times; better quality briefs; and higher prosecution and conviction rates. These findings, along with the stakeholders' suggestions for further improvements, are discussed.

Medical evidence in child sexual assault cases

<i><b>Purpose &ndash;</b></i> Previous studies suggest that the presence of medical evidence is rare in child sexual assault (CSA) cases, and if present at all, such evidence is unlikely to identify a specific assailant. This study aims to examine the role medical evidence plays in criminal cases of CSA. Specifically, the prevalence of medical evidence in CSA cases, its impact on decisions to prosecute CSA cases, as well as its effect on conviction rates are examined. <br /><b><i><br />Design/methodology/approach &ndash;</i></b> A systematic literature review was conducted on the impact of medical evidence in criminal child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. <br /><br /><b><i>Findings &ndash; </i></b>The results of the review suggest medical evidence increases the likelihood of prosecution; however the impact of medical evidence on conviction rate is equivocal. <br /><br /><b><i>Research limitations/implications &ndash; </i></b>The implications of these findings for legal and psychological practice, government policy and future areas for academic research are discussed. <br /><b><i><br />Originality/value &ndash;</i></b> To the authors' knowledge, no other review has systematically examined the role of medical evidence on the prosecution and conviction of CSA cases.<br />

Victims' perceptions of a new model of sexual assault investigation adopted by Victoria Police

This paper evaluates a method of operation for sexual assault investigation recently developed by Victoria Police (Australia). The model (which is new to Victoria) is characterised by two core components: the establishment of specialist teams of investigators (responsible for investigation and victim support) and service sites referred to as &lsquo;Multidisciplinary Centres&rsquo; where all key services are provided to victims in a single location separate from police stations. The approach consisted of in-depth interviews with 25 victims of sexual assault aged between 15 and 54 years. The overriding theme to arise from the interviews was the importance to victims of being treated with dignity and respect; six elements were highlighted by victims as assisting this. These elements are presented along with evidence to demonstrate that the police response to victims has become more victim-centred under the new model of service delivery.<br />