BEYOND THE VERDICT: A TRAUMA SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE ON LOW CONVICTION RATES IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
Conviction Rates, Judicial Reform, Legal System, Rape Myths, Sexual Assault, Victim Attrition.
This article explores the persistent crisis of extremely low conviction rates in sexual assault cases, arguing that these numbers reflect not only a breakdown of the legal system but also a deep societal failure. The issue begins well before trial, with widespread underreporting of assaults and continues through a process of “case attrition,” where most reports collapse at various points in the criminal justice system long before a jury is ever involved. Often described as a “funnel,” this pattern is driven by multiple factors: the complex evidentiary challenges specific to consent-based crimes; the influence of rape myths and cultural biases on police, prosecutors, judges, and juries; and the procedural and emotional toll on survivors, which frequently leads them to withdraw. The paper dissects this funnel of attrition, showing how every stage-from reporting to prosecutorial review-is shaped by assumptions that protect the accused while undermining the complainant. The consequences are severe: survivors experience injustice and institutional betrayal, repeat offenders are encouraged by the lack of accountability, and trust in the legal system is further weakened. The article argues that meaningful change demands a multi-dimensional, trauma-informed response, including robust legal reforms, mandatory training for justice professionals on trauma and rape myths, expanded victim support, and a fundamental shift in focus from scrutinizing victims to holding perpetrators accountable.
"BEYOND THE VERDICT: A TRAUMA SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE ON LOW CONVICTION RATES IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES", IJSDR - International Journal of Scientific Development and Research (www.IJSDR.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.10, Issue 9, page no.a581-a590, September-2025, Available :https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2509070.pdf
Volume 10
Issue 9,
September-2025
Pages : a581-a590
Paper Reg. ID: IJSDR_304916
Published Paper Id: IJSDR2509070
Downloads: 00088
Research Area: Others area
Country: Patna, Bihar, India
ISSN: 2455-2631 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.15 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.15 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: IJSDR(IJ Publication) Janvi Wave
