A gap or a chasm? - National Police Library Online Catalogue

A gap or a chasm? Attrition in reported rape cases
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Violence and injuries
Whilst re s e a rch from other jurisdictions suggests that injuries are documented in only a
minority of re p o rted rape cases (Kelly, 2003a), they are documented in the majority (an
average of two-thirds) of those undergoing a forensic medical at St Mary’s. The database
also confirms that rapes by well-known perpetrators are slightly more likely to result in
injuries (70%). These data suggest there is supportive medical evidence in the majority of
cases where forensic medical examinations are conducted in conducive conditions (see
Regan et al., 2004).
Time frames
Aggregating cases from 1987-2002 revealed there are two consistent peaks in reporting,
during the summer (July and August) for stranger assaults and in the New Year (some of
these reports may also relate to the Christmas period) for assaults by known perpetrators
(see Figure 3.5).
Figure 3.5: Reporting of rapes by month of the year and relationship to offender
1987-2002
Source: St Mary’s historic database
In terms of days of the week, peaks in reporting are Friday to Sunday, although an average
of 12 per cent of first attendances at St. Mary’s SARC take place on each of the other four
weekdays.