Adaptation of the DNase I Procedure to the Biomek ® NXP Robotic Platform for More Efficient and Automated Sexual Assault Sample Processing, Virginia, 2019-2022 (ICPSR 38903)
Addressing Sexual Violence in Prisons: A National Snapshot of Approaches and Highlights of Innovative Strategies, 2004-2005: [United States] (ICPSR 33971)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
Before the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, it was not clear the extent to which state departments of corrections (DOCs) were addressing sexual violence in systematic ways. In fact, little information existed about what strategies were being put into practice in prison systems across the country. PREA changed the way DOCs addressed prison sexual violence (PSV). Mandatory recordkeeping and a push for eliminating such incidents moved many DOCs to develop specific responses to PSV or to further refine approaches already in place. The purpose of this project was to provide a national snapshot of DOC initiatives to address PSV, as well as to identify specific practices that seemed to be, in the absence of formal evaluations, particularly promising or innovative in nature.
Researchers conducted three tasks: (1) The Survey of State Correctional Administrators (SSCA) involving written surveys and follow-up phone interviews with leaders of state DOCs. During the survey, state administrators described the state's overall approach to PSV and nominated specific strategies as particularly promising; (2) The Survey of Promising Practices (SPP) involving phone interviews with DOC representatives who spoke about promising practices nominated during the SSCA. Interviews were conducted with facility directors, service providers, or other state personnel affiliated with nominated approaches; and (3) Case studies involving site visits to states that researchers determined could provide the most informative lessons on addressing sexual violence in prison to the largest audience of practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
The collection includes 2 Access databases, one each for the SSCA (ASCA_4_6_2006.directors.mdb) and the SSP (ASCA_FAC_4_6_2006.prompractices.mdb). The data related to the Case Studies are not available at this time.
Addressing Violence Towards Youth and Young Adults in Indigenous Communities: A Tribal-Research Partnership, United States, 2022-2023 (ICPSR 39178)
Through a new tribal program and researcher partnership, this study aimed to answer the questions: what does violence look like to Native youth, and how do Native youth experience resilience and how can that resilience be strengthened? Through the use of two theoretical frameworks, Galtung's Basic Human Needs and the Socio-Ecological model, these questions were explored.
The work from this project was threefold, first this was a capacity-building grant. Therefore, the central goal was to establish a new tribal program partnership between Native Women's Society of the Great Plains (NWS), led by researchers from the University of South Dakota (USD) and researchers from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Together they worked to identify additional members who would be part of the study design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination. Project partners ranged in age and geographic location. Participants from NWS, USD, and UCCS worked collaboratively to meet the additional goals of this project.
The second goal was to explore an issue of concern to NWS across the Great Plains Region using the community based participatory research approach. From previous discussions between the researchers and NWS team, vulnerability to violence begins in youth, and therefore was of particular interest to Native people of the Great Plains Region. Thus, USD, NSW, and UCCS developed and applied for the Tribal-Research Capacity-Building Grant together.
The third goal was to identify a priority matter from the data collected on this project and collaborate on a subsequent grant application.
To meet these three overarching goals, five objectives were mapped out for this project. These included the following:
- Objective 1: Develop a communication strategy among the partnership agency members to advance capacity and enable meaningful conversations about difficult topics.
- Objective 2: Develop an answer to the question "what is violence?" for this population.
- Objective 3: To understand how these different sources of violence interact with the human needs identified under objective 2 to create patterned vulnerabilities (or susceptibilities).
- Objective 4: To address how resilience works within the developed model.
- Objective 5: To extend capacity building in the broader Indigenous communities of the Great Plains through bidirectional communication and information sharing.
Adolescent Sexual Assault Victims' Experiences with SANE-SARTs and the Criminal Justice System, 1998-2007 (ICPSR 29721)
The study examined adolescent sexual assault survivors' help-seeking experiences with the legal and medical systems in two Midwestern communities that have different models of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)/Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) interventions.
In Dataset 1 (Qualitative Victim Interviews), investigators conducted qualitative interviews with N=20 adolescent sexual assault victims 14-17 years old. From these interviews, investigators identified three distinct patterns of survivors' post-assault disclosures and their pathways to seeking help from SANE programs and the criminal justice system: voluntary (survivors' contact with the legal and medical system was by their choice), involuntary (system contact was not by choice), and situational (circumstances of the assault itself prompted involuntary disclosure). Interviews included responses that described the assault, their experience with both the SANE/SART programs and the criminal justice system, and victim and offender demographic information.
In Dataset 2 (SANE Programs Quantitative Data), investigators obtained SANE program records, police and prosecutor records, and crime lab findings for a sample of N=395 (ages 13-17) adolescent sexual assault victims who sought services from the local SANE programs in two different counties. The data collected examined victim's progress through the criminal justice system. Factors that could potentially affect case progression were also examined; age of victim, relationship to offender, assault characteristics, number of assaults on victim, and evidence collected. Differences between the two different counties' programs were also examined for their effect on the case progression.
African American Experience of Sexual Assault in Maryland, 2003-2006 (ICPSR 25201)
The purpose of this study was to better understand the problem of sexual assault among African American women in Maryland, assess their use of available resources in response to sexual assault, and explore their use of alternative sources of care. Researchers interviewed 223 female victims of sexual assault (Part 1 and Part 2) between January 2004 and July 2005 and conducted 21 focus groups (Part 3) with sexual assault resource service providers between 2003 and 2006. Criteria for inclusion in the interview component (Part 1 and Part 2) of the study included: African American or Caucasian female, aged 18 and over, resident of Maryland, and victim of sexual assault. There were four streams of recruitment for the interview portion of the study:
- Victims receiving services at one of 18 rape crisis centers located throughout the state of Maryland;
- Community outreach sessions conducted by rape crisis center community educators;
- Through community service providers, including those working in domestic violence centers, forensic nurse examiners (SAFE programs), probation and parole offices, reproductive health centers, county health departments, community services agencies, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and local colleges; and
- Through three detention centers housing female inmates.
For Part 3 (Focus Group Qualitative Data), rape crisis center representatives and other community service provider representatives received a letter informing them that a focus group was going to be conducted at the end of their study training session and asked them for their participation. Part 1 (Victim Quantitative Data) includes items in the following categories: Personal Demographics, Details of the Sexual Assault, Medical Care, Law Enforcement, Prosecution/Court Process, Sexual Assault Center Services, Other Counseling Services, and Recommendations for Improvement. Part 2 (Victim Qualitative Data) includes responses to selected questions from Part 1. The data are organized by question, not by respondent. Part 3 (Focus Group Qualitative Data) includes questions on the needs of African American women who have been sexually assaulted, whether their needs are different from those of women of other racial/ethnic backgrounds, unique barriers to reporting sexual assault to police for African American women and their treatment by the criminal justice system, unique issues concerning the use of available resources by African American women, such as post-rape medical care and counseling services, and recommendations on how the state of Maryland could improve services for African American women who are the victims of sexual assault.
Alaska Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Data, 1996-2006 (ICPSR 28367)
Analysis of Current Cold-Case Investigation Practices and Factors Associated with Successful Outcomes, 2008-2009 (ICPSR 33761)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they there received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except of the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collections and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
To assess the current practices in cold-case investigations, this study utilized a national online survey of law enforcement agencies (Cold Case Survey Data, n = 1,051) to document the range of ways in which cold-case work is conducted and assess how this organization affects cold-case clearance rates. In November 2008, the chiefs of police in the sample were sent a letter explaining the purpose of the survey and inviting them to participate. Potential respondents were directed to the web-based survey instrument through a provided web address. The results from the national survey were used to select sites for an analysis of case files. Researchers chose three jurisdictions that conducted a large number of cold-case homicide investigations: the District of Columbia, Baltimore, Maryland, and Dallas, Texas (Cold Case Homicide Data, n = 429). To these three sites, researchers added Denver, Colorado (Cold Case Sexual Assault Data, n = 105) because it had received a Department of Justice grant to conduct testing of DNA material in sexual assault cold cases. At all four sites, cold cases were examined for seven categories of data including victim's characteristics, crime context, motivation, human capital, physical evidence, basis for cold-case investigations and cold-case actions.
Assessing the Practical and Monetary Efficacy of New Jersey's Megan's Law, 1972-2007 (ICPSR 26401)
Assessment of Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Evidence Selection Leading to Development of SAK Evidence Machine-Learning Model (SAK-ML Model), California, Idaho, Utah, 2010-2022 (ICPSR 39161)
Few studies have explored aggregated DNA analysis findings from sexual assault kits (SAKs) and predictive features of developing useful DNA information related to the foreign contributor(s). Information gleaned from evaluating DNA analysis findings have significant practice and policy implications for both forensic medical examiners/sexual assault nurse examiners and forensic scientists. Results from this innovative study were obtained by tracking SAKs from evidence collection, data from sexual assault medical forensic examinations, through DNA analysis results, and data from publicly funded laboratories.
This study does not include data files. It includes 13 Python files used for statistical analysis.
Bullying, Sexual, and Dating Violence Trajectories From Early to Late Adolescence in the Midwestern United States, 2007-2013. (ICPSR 34835)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they there received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except of the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collections and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study tested a model of individual, familial, and peer variables that additively and synergistically increased or decreased the risk for sexual and teen dating violence based on bullying experiences in early adolescence. The study surveyed 1,162 students from three cohorts in four Midwestern middle schools, who were then followed into three high schools. Five waves of surveys collected information about the level of violence in student homes with parents and siblings or with other children, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exposure to domestic violence, frequency of bullying, self-reported delinquency, and exposure to delinquent friends during the middle school years. Waves six and seven were collected during high school and sexual violence and teen dating violence measures were added to the surveys.
Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, 2010-2015 (ICPSR 36696)
Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, 2014-2019 (ICPSR 37662)
In 2018, the Association of American Universities (AAU) assembled 33 schools to participate in the spring of 2019 as a follow-up to the 2015 survey. For those who participated in the 2015 AAU survey and others who had implemented the AAU survey on their own, the 2019 survey provided a means to track trends for key types of victimization and climate outcomes.
The AAU sought to examine the prevalence of and assess the campus climate regarding sexual assault and misconduct at colleges and universities. The goal of these surveys was to gather as much information about the issue as possible to help inform member schools as they create policies and strategies to combat sexual assault and misconduct on their campuses.
The study reported on the following research questions:
- How extensive is nonconsensual sexual contact?
- How extensive are sexual harassment, stalking, and intimate partner violence (IPV)?
- What are students' experiences with campus programs and resources?
- What are students' perceptions and experiences related to sexual assault and other sexual misconduct?
- Have the prevalence, knowledge, and perceptions of risk for sexual assault or misconduct changed since 2015?
A total of 181,752 students out of a total student sample size of 830,936 completed the survey. Within this sample, there were 108,221 undergraduate respondents and 73,531 graduate and professional respondents; 95,975 respondents from private institutions and 85,777 respondents from public institutions. Demographic variables include age, year in school/program, year enrolled, race, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and disability status.
This study includes 3 data files. The first two files are respondent-level and incident-level data, respectively. The respondent-level file (DS1) contains all the survey data; this includes the survey items, derived variables, weight variables, and ID variables. The incident-level file (DS2) contains only a subset of the survey items; these include the Detail Incident Form (DIF) items (variables that start with 'GA'), the COMPLETE indicator, derived variables related to the DIF, ID, and weight variables. A third SAS data file (DS3) is provided that has the replicate weight factors for use with survey procedures that utilize replicate weights for variance estimation.
A Case Study of K-12 School Employee Sexual Misconduct: Lessons Learned from Title IX Policy Implementation, United States, 1984-2014 (ICPSR 36870)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study was designed to examine how districts that experienced an incident of school employee sexual misconduct in 2014 defined, interpreted, and implemented key elements of Title IX before, during, and after an incident. The study used a qualitative case study design with a purposeful sample of five districts recruited from a database of 459 districts who experienced a case of school employee sexual misconduct in 2014. The study was conducted between January 2016 and September 2017.
Data collected included: 1) various district documents, 2) 41 interviews with primary actors (school employees and county officials directly involved in responding to the incident), 3) 10 focus groups with 51 secondary actors (school employees who were not directly involved with the incident but who might have been indirectly affected by it), and 4) offender, victim and district characteristics. Documents reviewed included written policies and protocols, training materials and handbooks for staff and students, case documents, and other guiding documents as applicable. In interviews and focus groups, participants were asked to discuss their knowledge of district policies and procedures, to describe the dissemination of and any changes to these policies and procedures, and to provide recommendations for improvement. To protect the confidentiality all district and participant identifying information is confidential and has been removed from any reporting.
Comparative Evaluation of Genotyping Technologies for Investigative Genetic Genealogy in Sexual Assault Casework, 2022-2024 (ICPSR 39288)
Crime Victimization and Police Treatment of Undocumented Migrant Workers in Palisades Park, NJ, 2011-2012 (ICPSR 35087)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This exploratory study used the case of Palisades Park, New Jersey, to examine five problem areas: the political economy of migrant labor, prevalence and patterns of criminal victimization against undocumented migrant workers (UMWs), prevalence and patterns of violence against women among UMWs, police-migrant interactions, and criminal offending of UMWs. Data collection efforts were concentrated on the recruitment and survey of 160 male day laborers and 120 female migrant workers in face-to-face interviews. Additional data from focus group and key informant interviews were gathered to provide in-depth information on specific concerns and issues.
Criminal Justice Response to Victim Harm in the United States, 1981 (ICPSR 8249)
Decision Making in Sexual Assault Cases: Replication Research on Sexual Violence Case Attrition in the United States, 2006-2012 (ICPSR 37181)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The study contains data on sexual assault cases reported to the police for the years 2006-2012, collected from six police agencies and also their corresponding public prosecutor's offices across the United States. The study analyzed the attrition of sexual assault cases from the criminal justice system.
This study includes two SPSS data files:
- Court-Form-2008-2010-Sample-Revised-Nov-2018.sav (801 variables, 417 cases)
- Police-Form-2008-2010-Sample-Revised-Nov-2018.sav (1,276 variables, 3,269 cases)
This study also includes two SPSS syntax files:
- ICPSR-Court-Form-Variable-Construction-2008-2010.sps
- ICPSR-Constructed-Variables-Syntax.sps
The study also contains qualitative data which are not available as part of this data collection at this time. The qualitative data includes interviews, field observations, and focus groups which were conducted with key personnel to examine organizational and cultural dimensions of handling sexual assault cases in order to understand how these factors influence case outcomes.
Delivery and Evaluation of the 2012 International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) National Blended Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Training [UNITED STATES] (ICPSR 34903)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The project sought to address the shortage of sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFE) by delivering and evaluating a comprehensive SAFE training program developed by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). To assess if the training was effective, researchers conducted an outcome evaluation using a mixed methods approach, including quantitative pre-post training and qualitative interviews with instructors and students. The evaluation had three main components: 1) to assess training completion, including the percentage of students who completed the training and the factors that contributed to their completion; 2) to ascertain whether students attained knowledge through pre-test/post-tests and the factors that contributed to knowledge attainment; and 3) to determine whether students retained their knowledge using a post-training exam approximately three months following the training, and whether the students incorporated the core concepts of the training into their SAFE practice.
The researchers divided the project into 3 studies. Study 1 examined how many students completed the training and what predicted training completion. Study 2a utilized a one-group pre-test post-test design where researchers assessed students' knowledge attainment for 12 online modules. Study 2b utilized a qualitative framework to understand the instructors' pedagogical approach to teaching clinical skills. In addition, researchers conducted qualitative interviews to examine the students' perceptions of the patient care and medical forensic exam skills gained from the clinical component in the SAFE training, and how the clinical training contributed to their skill development. Study 3a explored knowledge retention using an online post-training survey given to students three months following the training. Study 3b utilized the same qualitative framework as Study 2b. Only data for studies 1, 2a, and 3a are available with this collection. The data file has 198 cases and 675 variables. The qualitative interviews for Studies 2b and 3b are not available as part of this data collection at this time.
The Detroit Sexual Assault Kit Action Research Project: 1980-2009 (ICPSR 35632)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The four primary goals of The Detroit Sexual Assault Kit Action Research Project (DSAK-ARP) were:
- To assess the scope of the problem by conducting a complete census of all sexual assault kits (SAKs) in police property.
- To identify the underlying factors that contributed to why Detroit had so many un-submitted SAKs.
- To develop a plan for testing SAKs and to evaluate the efficacy of that plan.
- To create a victim notification protocol and evaluate the efficacy of that protocol.
To conduct the census and investigate factors that contributed to untested SAKs, The study investigated police and other public records, interviewed public officials and employees and manually cataloged untested SAKs to conduct the census and gather information as to the decision making processes as to why the SAKs remained untested.
A random sample of 1,595 SAKs were tested as part of developing a SAK testing plan. Kits were divided into four testing groups to examine the utility of testing SAKs for stranger perpetrated sexual assaults, non-stranger perpetrated sexual assaults and sexual assaults believed to be beyond the statute of limitations. The final testing group split SAKs randomly into two addition sample sets as part of an experimental design to examine whether the testing method of selective degradation was a quicker and more cost efficient approach that offered satisfactory levels of accuracy when compared to standard DNA testing methods.
A two stage protocol was created to inform sexual assault victims that their SAKs had been tested, discuss options for participating with the investigation and prosecution process and connect the victim with community services.
Documentation of Resident to Resident Elder Mistreatment in Residential Care Facilities, New York City, 2009-2013 (ICPSR 35649)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The purpose of this study was to investigate violence and aggression committed by nursing home residents that is directed toward other residents, referred to here as resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (R-REM). Resident-to-resident mistreatment (R-REM) was defined as: negative and aggressive physical, sexual, or verbal interactions between long term care residents, that in a community setting would likely be construed as unwelcome and have high potential to cause physical or psychological distress in the recipient.
The goals of this project were to: enhance institutional recognition of R-REM; examine the convergence of R-REM reports across different methodologies; identify the most accurate mechanism for detecting and reporting R-REM; develop profiles of persons involved with R-REM by reporting source; investigate existing R-REM policies, and; develop institutional guidelines for reporting R-REM episodes. Also, the project team sought to answer the following research questions: (1) Will the reporting of R-REM differ by source? (2) Which reporting methods will show the highest level of convergence and accuracy in reporting? (3) What resident characteristics or profiles will predict R-REM across the differing reporting sources? (4) What are the existing guidelines and/or institutional policies for reporting R-REM? To achieve these goals, the researcher conducted this study over a two week period in five urban and five suburban New York City facilities. Resident-to-resident abuse information was derived from five sources: (1) resident interviews (2) staff informants (3) observational data (behavior sheets) (4) resident chart reviews (5) incident and accident reports.
Efficiency in Processing Sexual Assault Kits in Crime Laboratories and Law Enforcement Agencies, United States, 2013-2014 (ICPSR 36747)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they there received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except of the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collections and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study presents a research-informed approach to identify the most efficient practices for addressing un-submitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) that accrue in U.S. law enforcement agencies (LEAs) as well as untested SAKs pending analysis in crime laboratories. The study examined intra- and interagency dynamics associated with SAK processing efficiency in a linked sample of crime laboratories. SAK outputs and inputs were assessed for laboratories that conduct biological forensic analysis and LEAs that submit SAK evidence to these laboratories. Production functions were estimated to examine effects of labor and capital inputs, in addition to policies, management systems, and cross-agency coordination on efficiency. Six jurisdictions were recruited for site visits, and qualitative methods were used to understand how LEAs, laboratories, and prosecutors implement practices that affect efficiency.
This study contains 7 data files including:
- Crime Lab_Raw.dta (n=147; variables =242)
- Crosswalk File.dta (n=2337; variables=2)
- lab_analysis_sample_2017-04-06.dta (n=132; variables=92)
- LEA Communication LCAs.dta (n=321; variables=15
- merged_analysis_file_JH2017-04-30.dta (n=273; variables=117)
- policy Class probabilities_LABS.dta (n=139; variables=19)
- SAK LAB COMMUNICATION LCA.dta (n=134; variables=15)
Elder Abuse in the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) (ICPSR 36808)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study examines the prevalence and correlates of psychological abuse and physical abuse against women and men aged 70 or older. Self-report data from 2,185 respondents in the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) were used to create weighted estimates for past-year experiences of abuse. Correlates were then examined using survey logistic regression models.
Ethno-Methodological Study of the Subculture of Prison Inmate Sexuality in the United States, 2004-2005 (ICPSR 4556)
Evaluating a Victim Notification Protocol for Untested Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs): How Do Survivors Define Justice Years After An Assault?, Detroit, Michigan, 2019-2020 (ICPSR 38921)
After a sexual assault, victims are advised to have a medical forensic exam, including the collection of a sexual assault kit (SAK) to preserve forensic evidence of the crime. The SAK samples can be analyzed for DNA, which can help prosecute assailants and prevent future assaults. However, police do not routinely submit SAKs for forensic DNA testing, and large stockpiles of untested kits have been documented in over 41 jurisdictions. To address this growing national problem, many cities are now testing all of their older rape kits. Re-contacting survivors to inform them that their SAK had not been tested and now will be/has been tested is referred to as 'victim notification.' This study explored how victim notifications can support survivors' well-being and promote justice. Researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 32 sexual assault survivors in Detroit, MI. All participants had experienced a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Hit Re-Engagement Victim Notification, in which law enforcement personnel contacted survivors to inform them that their SAKs had been tested and the testing yielded a suspect DNA match in the FBI's national criminal database CODIS. All survivors agreed to re-engage with the criminal legal system and participate in the investigation and prosecution of these cases. Researchers also completed qualitative interviews with 12 community-based advocates about their experiences providing advocacy and support to these survivors throughout their notification and re-engagement experiences. They used semi-structured interviews to document:
- Survivors' CODIS Hit Re-Engagement Victim Notification experiences;
- Survivors' decision-making processes regarding re-engagement with the criminal legal system;
- Survivors' re-engagement experiences with the criminal legal system and the extent to which their court experiences provided procedural, distributive, retributive, and/or restorative justice;
- Survivors' advocacy experiences from victim notification through criminal legal system re-engagement.
Evaluation of a Novel Fluorescent Dye to Detect Anogenital Injury, Virginia, 2015-2016 (ICPSR 36590)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study contains data from a feasibility trial which was undertaken to determine if a novel fluorescent dye to detect anogenital injury in non-white women was safe and effective in aiding the visualization of genital injuries in forensic examinations.
The study includes one SPSS data file: dye_data_archive.sav (44 cases; 14 variables).
Evaluation of Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exams: Payment Practices and Policies in the United States, 2011 (ICPSR 34906)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they there received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except of the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collections and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The qualitative Case Study data is not available as part of this data collection at this time.
The purpose of the study was to examine: (1) which entities pay for sexual assault medical forensic exams (MFEs) in state and local jurisdictions throughout the United States, and the policies and practices around determining payment; (2) what services are provided in the exam process and how exams are linked to counseling, advocacy, and other services; (3) whether exams are provided to victims regardless of their reporting or intention to report the assault to the criminal justice system; (4) how MFE kits are being stored for victims who choose not to participate in the criminal justice system process; and (5) whether Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2005 requirements are generally being met throughout the country.
Researchers conducted national surveys to obtain state-level information from state Services Training Officers Prosecutors (STOP) administrators (SSAs), victim compensation fund administrators, and state-level sexual assault coalitions. Surveys were distributed to potential respondents in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and United States territories that held these state-level positions. Researchers also distributed local-level surveys though an extensive listserv maintained by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). Researchers also conducted case studies in 19 local jurisdictions across six states were selected for case studies.
Interviewees included
- the victim compensation fund administrator, state STOP administrator, state coalition director (or an appointed staff member) and sometimes crime lab or other state justice agency personnel, at the state level, and;
- law enforcement, prosecution, victim advocacy staff, and healthcare-based exam providers at the local level.
Finally, researchers concluded each local jurisdiction visit with a focus group with victims of sexual assault.
Data collection efforts included: a national survey of crime victim compensation fund administrators (Compensation Data, n = 26); a national survey of Services Training Officers Prosecutors (STOP) grant program administrators (SSA Data, n = 52); a national survey of state sexual assault coalitions (Coalitions Data, n = 47); and a survey of local community-based victim service providers (Local Provider Data, n = 489).
Evaluation of Technology-based Advocacy Services (ETA), Austin, Texas, 2019-2021 (ICPSR 38403)
Evaluation of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, United States, 2018 (ICPSR 37897)
Since 2015, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has funded sites to engage in reforms intended to improve the national response to sexual assault cases. The goals of this initiative are to (1) create a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to unsubmitted sexual assault kit (SAK) cases through a victim-centered approach and (2) build jurisdictions' capacity to prevent the development of conditions that lead to high numbers of unsubmitted sexual assault kits. Site efforts to address these issues include agencies such as law enforcement, prosecution, forensic laboratories, and victim advocacy service organizations. Westat was awarded a contract by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to assess components of BJA's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). The study includes (1) an evaluability assessment of 17 sites to determine their readiness for an evaluation, (2) a process evaluation and system reform assessment of the 17 sites, (3) a feasibility assessment of using case level data for an outcome evaluation, and analysis of a subset of unsubmitted SAK cases to identify how characteristics of incidents, offenders, and victims are associated with case processing decisions and outcomes, and (4) development of a long-term outcome evaluation plan.
Two sources of data are archived with NAJCD: (1) coded qualitative data from primarily on-site interviews the Westat Team conducted in 2018 with stakeholders from 17 of the fiscal year (FY) 2015 SAKI grantees and 2 private lab facilities and 2) quantitative case-level data from the 2 FY 2015 SAKI grantees on SAKI cases associated with previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits that were determined to contain foreign DNA or biological evidence through laboratory testing. The interview data file contains coded data from 172 interviews the research team conducted with one or more agency representatives regarding their organization's goals, strategies, and activities for processing sexual assault kits, and associated lessons learned, challenges, and expected outcomes. The quantitative case-level data file includes case-level information on 576 sexual assault kits determined to have DNA and associated cases included in the 2 sites' SAKI inventories. The case-level data captures information on case or offense-level information (e.g., date of offense, date offense reported to police, number of victims and suspects involved, investigation and prosecution activities), victim-level information (e.g., victim age, sex, race, participation in investigation), and suspect-level information (e.g., suspect's age, race, sex, criminal history).
An Evaluation of Victim Centered, Trauma Informed Interview Training for Sexual Assault Investigators using Standardized Patient Actors: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Kentucky, 2019-2022 (ICPSR 38497)
Evaluation of Victim Services Programs Funded by "Stop Violence Against Women" Grants in the United States, 1998-1999 (ICPSR 2735)
Evidence-Based Review of Rape and Sexual Assault Preventive Intervention Programs in the United States, 1990-2003 (ICPSR 4453)
Evidence, Sexual Assaults, and Case Outcomes: Understanding the Role of Sexual Assault Kits, Non-Forensic Evidence, and Case Characteristics, 2015-2017 (ICPSR 37261)
Examining an Integrated Bystander and Alcohol Program for Sexual Assault Perpetration: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial, Midwestern U.S., 2017-2019 (ICPSR 37490)
In this study, the research team conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing sexual assault perpetration and related outcomes (i.e., bystander behavior, rape myth acceptance) for men who received a alcohol-only group intervention to men who received an integrated alcohol and sexual assault group intervention. Specifically, the alcohol-only intervention consisted of the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), an empirically-supported intervention for college student drinking. The integrated alcohol and sexual assault intervention, termed the Alcohol and Relationships Group, was modeled after BASICS and empirically-supported Bystander and Social Norms interventions for sexual assault. The research aims for this study were:
- To examine whether reductions in alcohol use predict reductions in sexual assault perpetration over the course of a 6-month follow-up period
- To examine whether men randomized to the integrated intervention have superior sexual assault outcomes (reduced sexual assault perpetration, increased active bystander behaviors, reduced endorsement of unhealthy sexual social norms, and reduced rape myth acceptance) relative to men randomized to BASICS only
The current study recruited 93 college men who were sanctioned by their university to receive an alcohol intervention for violating a campus alcohol policy: by definition, an indicated and at-risk population for sexual assault perpetration. Men were followed for 6 months to determine the effects of the intervention on sexual assault perpetration and other primary outcomes (e.g., bystander behavior). Measures were taken at baseline, at 3 months, and at 6 months.
Examining Criminal Justice Responses to and Help-Seeking Patterns of Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities, United States, 2008-2013 (ICPSR 36431)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they are received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator if further information is needed.
This mixed methods study examined the criminal justice outcomes and help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities. The specific objectives of this study were to:
- Describe criminal justice reporting of sexual assault against persons with disabilities (e.g., number and source of reports, characteristics or survivors and perpetrators, case characteristics, and case outcomes)
- Assess how cases of sexual assault survivors with disabilities proceeded through the criminal court system.
- Describe help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities from formal and informal sources, including influences on how and where they seek help, their experiences in reporting, barriers to reporting, and outcome of this reporting, drawn from interviews with community based survivors and service providers.
The study contains one data file called 'Data_Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities.sav'. This file has 26 variables and 417 cases.
Expanding Use of the Social Reactions Questionnaire among Diverse Women, Denver, Colorado, 2013-2016 (ICPSR 36776)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The Social Reactions Questionnaire (SRQ) is a widely used instrument designed to measure perceptions of social reactions. Studies using the SRQ have generally asked women to report on social reactions from "other persons told about the assault," without specifying which persons. The purpose of this study was to test a modified version of the SRQ that asked women to report separately on social reactions from criminal justice personnel, community-based providers, and informal supports. The researchers sought to examine changes in social reactions longitudinally as well as the impact of social reactions on criminal justice engagement and post-traumatic distress among diverse women following a recent sexual assault. The study included testing hypotheses about the inter-relationships among social reactions, victim well-being (e.g., psychological distress), and criminal justice variables (e.g., victim engagement with prosecution). Addressing the dearth of longitudinal research on social reactions, this study examined causal links among variables. In particular, researchers tested hypotheses about changes in social reactions over time in relation to criminal justice cases and victims' post-traumatic reactions.
The data included as part of this collection includes one SPSS data file (2_1-Data_Quantiative-Variables-Updated-20180611.sav) with 3,310 variables for 228 cases. Demographic variables included: respondent's age, race, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, marital status, education level, employment status, income source, economic level, religion, household characteristics, and group identity. The data also contain transcripts of qualitative interviews and one SPSS qualitative coding dataset (file7-2_4_Data_Open_ended_Codes_from_Transcripts.sav) with 19 variables and 225 cases, which are not included in this fast track release.
Exploratory Research on the Impact of the Growing Oil Industry in North Dakota and Montana on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking, 2000-2015 (ICPSR 36596)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study used secondary analysis of data from several different sources to examine the impact of increased oil development on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVDVSAS) in the Bakken region of Montana and North Dakota. Distributed here are the code used for the secondary analysis data; the data are not available through other public means. Please refer to the User Guide distributed with this study for a list of instructions on how to obtain all other data used in this study.
This collection contains a secondary analysis of the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). UCR data serve as periodic nationwide assessments of reported crimes not available elsewhere in the criminal justice system. Each year, participating law enforcement agencies contribute reports to the FBI either directly or through their state reporting programs. Distributed here are the codes used to create the datasets and preform the secondary analysis. Please refer to the User Guide, distributed with this study, for more information.
This collection contains a secondary analysis of the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), a component part of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) and an incident-based reporting system for crimes known to the police. For each crime incident coming to the attention of law enforcement, a variety of data were collected about the incident. These data included the nature and types of specific offenses in the incident, characteristics of the victim(s) and offender(s), types and value of property stolen and recovered, and characteristics of persons arrested in connection with a crime incident. NIBRS collects data on each single incident and arrest within 22 offense categories, made up of 46 specific crimes called Group A offenses. In addition, there are 11 Group B offense categories for which only arrest data were reported. NIBRS data on different aspects of crime incidents such as offenses, victims, offenders, arrestees, etc., can be examined as different units of analysis. Distributed here are the codes used to create the datasets and preform the secondary analysis. Please refer to the User Guide, distributed with this study, for more information.
The collection includes 17 SPSS syntax files.
Qualitative data collected for this study are not available as part of the data collection at this time.
Exploring the Drugs-Crime Connection Within the Electronic Dance Music and Hip Hop Nightclub Scenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2005-2006 (ICPSR 21187)
Exploring Women's Histories of Survival of Violence and Victimization in a Midwestern State, 2004-2005 (ICPSR 4579)
Forensic Evidence and Criminal Justice Outcomes in Sexual Assault Cases in Massachusetts, 2008-2012 (ICPSR 35205)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This project had three goals. One, to provide a more detailed description of injury evidence and biological evidence in sexual assault cases, including their timing relative to arrests. A second goal was to examine the relationship of forensic evidence to arrests. A third goal was to examine injury evidence and biological evidence in certain types of cases in which it may have had greater impact. To achieve these goals, the researchers created analysis data files that merged data from the Massachusetts Provided Sexual Crime Report, forensic evidence data from the two crime laboratories serving the state and data on arrests and criminal charges from 140 different police agencies.
The Historically Black College and University Campus Sexual Assault (HBCU-CSA) Study, 2008 (ICPSR 31301)
Identifying Sexual Assault Mechanisms Among Diverse Women, New York State, 2016-2017 (ICPSR 37450)
This study offers novel insights into mechanisms associated with sexual assault (SA) among sexual minority women (SMW). Experiences of bias and stigma contribute to lower rates of SA reporting by this population. This results in victims with unmet needs and fewer criminal prosecutions of SA perpetrators. This study used a mixed-methods approach to collect data from lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women to instigate changes that would improve responses from law enforcement, victim services, and anti-violence programs that serve SMW.
This study comprised of three parts a: baseline survey, qualitative interview, and daily survey. Self-reported baseline questionnaires included topics like lifetime victimization (childhood sexual abuse, adult sexual aggression, and assault), discrimination, distress, mental health, alcohol use, and sexual history. The qualitative interviews focused on the most recent, and when applicable, the most salient adult sexual assault (ASA) incident. Interviews began by asking the participants to describe their ASA incidents with follow-probes asking about the victimization, perpetrator characteristics (gender and relationship to participant), and context of assault (role of alcohol or drugs and setting). Participants were also asked if they discussed the assault with anyone and their reasons for disclosure or non-disclosure. As well as short and long-term coping patterns. The daily survey asked participants about their mood, alcohol use, drinking contexts, and sexual experiences (consensual and non-consensual).
This study contains demographic information such as: age, race, income, education, and BMI.
Impact of Rape Reform Legislation in Six Major Urban Jurisdictions in the United States, 1970-1985 (ICPSR 6923)
Implementation of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Practitioner Evaluation Toolkit, 2010-2012 Six Sites (ICPSR 34307)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
To address the under-reporting and under-prosecution of adult sexual assaults, some communities in the United States implemented the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program whereby specially trained nurses provide comprehensive psychological, medical, and forensic services for sexual assault to improve post-assault care for victims and the criminal justice system response. The SANE Practitioner Toolkit was created to teach SANE program staff how to evaluate whether prosecution rates increased in their communities after the implantation of their SAME program.
Six SANE programs were selected and provided with comprehensive technical assistance to help them work through the steps in the Toolkit in order to evaluate whether the program was having a beneficial impact on prosecution rates. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the SANE program to increase prosecution rates of sexual assaults through the SANE Practitioner Evaluation Toolkit, and the technical assistance process and resources provided to the sites improved their evaluative abilities.
Improving the Forensic Documentation of Injuries through Alternate Light: A Researcher- Practitioner Partnership, Maryland, 2021-2023 (ICPSR 39024)
This study assessed and evaluated the programmatic implementation of alternate light source (ALS) use during the examination of injuries among adult victims of sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) in a hospital setting. Researchers selected two forensic nursing departments, one with no experience using ALS in clinical practice (Site A) and one with 10+ years' experience (Site B), and conducted a thorough contextual analysis of each site to 1. develop an evidence-based ALS implementation program for forensic nursing departments and 2. evaluate the feasibility of this ALS implementation program.
Contextual analysis involved the collection of qualitative data through structured focus groups with nurses and quantitative data using 6-months of de-identified forensic medical records from patients who received a medical forensic exam for reported (or suspected) sexual assault or IPV. Nurses were recruited to the study upon completing an anonymous survey about their prior knowledge of ALS, qualifications or certifications related to ALS, workplace team dynamics, and organizational support for changes in practice using the Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment [ORCA]. This Nurse Survey Data and aforementioned Medical Record Data are currently available for secondary users, and qualitative interview transcripts will be made available in a future update.
Improving the Investigation of Homicide and the Apprehension Rate of Murderers in Washington State, 1981-1986 (ICPSR 6134)
Injury Evidence, Forensic Evidence and the Prosecution of Sexual Assault, United States, 2005-2011 (ICPSR 36608)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This project explored the use and impact of injury evidence and biological evidence through a study of the role of these forms of evidence in prosecuting sexual assault in an urban district attorney's office in a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. The research questions addressed in this summary overview were as follows:
- How frequent were different forms of injury evidence and biological evidence in the sample?
- Is the presence of injury evidence and biological evidence correlated with the presence of other forms of evidence?
- Which types of cases and case circumstances are more likely to yield injury evidence and biological evidence?
- Do the presence of injury evidence and biological evidence predict criminal justice outcomes, taking into account the effects of other predictors?
- In what ways do prosecutors use injury evidence and biological evidence and what is their appraisal of their impact on case outcomes?
The collection contains 1 SPSS data file, DataArchiveFile_InjuryEvidenceForensicEvidenceandthe ProsecutionofSexualAssault4-7-17.sav (n=257; 417 variables).
The qualitative data files were excluded from deposit with ICPSR and are not available as part of this data collection at this time.
An Innovative Response to an Intractable Problem: Using Village Public Safety Officers to Enhance the Criminal Justice Response to Violence Committed Against Alaska Native Women and American Indian Women in Alaska's Tribal Communities, 2008-2011 (ICPSR 37082)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This project set out to understand the specific contributions Alaska's village public safety officers (VPSOs) make to the criminal justice responses to violence committed against Alaska Native and American Indian women in Alaska's tribal communities. More specifically, the goal of this study was to empirically document and assess the impact Alaska's VPSO program has on the investigation and prosecution of those who commit acts of sexual and domestic violence against Alaska Native and American Indian women in Alaska's tribal communities.
The data collected for this study were compiled from detailed case record reviews of a random sample of sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, and domestic violence incidents investigated by the Alaska State Troopers (AST) and closed between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Data pertaining to case-level (e.g., year and month of incident report and case closure, time to report) and incident-level (e.g., assault location, weapon use, assaultive behaviors) characteristics were collected, as were demographic data describing suspects, victims, and witnesses/third parties. The study also collected data detailing suspect and victim alcohol/drug use and intoxication, injuries sustained by victims, victim resistance strategies and behaviors, and victim disclosures, among other measures. Additional charging and case resolution (referral, prosecution, conviction) data were also compiled. Finally, the study collected detailed data on the activities and roles played by VPSOs in investigations, as well as additional follow-up activities and services provided to victims.
In total, 683 sexual assault (SA) and sexual abuse of a minor (SAM) and 982 domestic violence (DV) case records were coded and analyzed.
The study collections includes 6 Stata (.dta) files. The zip file includes 2013-VW-CX-0001_DV_CASE.dta (n=982; 127 variables), 2013-VW-CX-0001_DV_CHARGE.dta (n=3711; 23 variables), 2013-VW-CX-0001_DV_INDIV.dta (n=3747; 105 variables), 2013-VW-CX-0001_SA_CASE.dta (n=683; 133 variables), 2013-VW-CX-0001_SA_CHARGE.dta (n=1060; 24 variables), 2013-VW-CX-0001_SA_INDIV.dta (n=3140; 112 variables).
International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS), 1989-2000 (ICPSR 3803)
International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS), 1989-1997 (ICPSR 2973)
Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking and Sexual Violence Among Non-College-Attending Emerging Adults, United States, 2010 (ICPSR 36993)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study sought to:
- Identify the prevalence of intimate partner violence, stalking and sexual violence among non-college-attending emerging adults.
- Explore the use of formal and informal help seeking and formal services among these victims.
The analysis in this study focused on non-college-attending emerging adults, with particular concern for the effect of their positive and negative encounters with sources of support - both in their immediate needs as well as future decisions to utilize victim services. This project also compared male and female victims because of variations in their respective use of services.
To address these research concerns, this project utilizes the data in the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (ICPSR #36140).
There are no data files available with this study. Only syntax files used by the researchers are provided.