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Why we need juror education in rape and serious sexual offence cases

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  • Leverick, Fiona
  • Chalmers, James
  • Keane, Eamon P.H.
  • Kinghan, Jacqueline

Abstract

This paper sets out the evidence that jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims (rape myths). It examines three main sources of evidence (attitude surveys, mock jury studies, and interviews with jurors who have sat on real sexual offence cases). The different research methods each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but taking the research base as a whole, the conclusion can be drawn that at least some jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims. This is a cause for concern not only because these false beliefs may be preventing justified convictions in rape and serious sexual offence cases, but also because the legitimacy of the criminal justice system rests on the assumption that jurors determine cases free of false beliefs and biases.

Suggested Citation

  • Leverick, Fiona & Chalmers, James & Keane, Eamon P.H. & Kinghan, Jacqueline, 2025. "Why we need juror education in rape and serious sexual offence cases," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s0047235225001746
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102525
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richardson, Emma & Jenkins, Laura & Willmott, Dominic, 2025. "Rape myths, jury deliberations, and conversation analysis: Examining conversational practices used to undermine rape complaints within (mock) jury deliberations," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    2. Walters, Jared & Nguyen, Lan & Liu, Yixuan & Ijurco, Shay Monreal & Evans, Skhye & Chacos, Noah & Duran, Mathew & Smith, Christine, 2025. "Justice without bias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions aimed at reducing jury bias in Rape and sexual assault trials," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    1. Walters, Jared & Nguyen, Lan & Liu, Yixuan & Ijurco, Shay Monreal & Evans, Skhye & Chacos, Noah & Duran, Mathew & Smith, Christine, 2025. "Justice without bias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions aimed at reducing jury bias in Rape and sexual assault trials," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).

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