Too Little, Too Late: Prosecutors' Pre-Court Preparation of Rape Survivors

“The Police Have Given Up”: An Empirical Examination of Covictims’ Beliefs About Cold Case Homicide Investigations

“…As the field of victimology has expanded there has been a call to view victims and their experiences from a symbolic interactionism perceptive (Holstein and Miller, 1990;Konradi, 1996;Konradi, 1997). Symbolic interactionism suggests that self-interpretations are determined by the meaning people assign to interactions with others (Blumer, 1969;Goffman, 1967;Mead, 1934).…”

“…Importantly, symbolic interactionism takes issues of power into account in the study of victimization (Konradi, 1996;Konradi, 1997;Quinney, 1972;Rock, 1999). Quinney (1972) points out that if we recognize power, "[w]e would begin to conceive of the victims of police force, the victims of war, the victims of the 'correctional' system, the victims of state violence, the victims of oppression of any sort."…”

“…As symbolic interactionism might suggest, these unequal exchanges lead covictims to describe feeling "used," as police have no accountability and "you don't get any feedback, progress or work going towards it" (Covictim, personal communication, 2008). Within this milieu of power, covictims' perceptions of secondary victimization are shaped and determined (see Konradi, 1997). As one covictim noted, "They [the police] will always be able to tell me, 'Well, we just don't know,' and there won't be a thing that I can do about it.…”

The impact of criminal justice involvement on victims' mental health

“…These unofficial concerns can lead to more difficult or contentious cases being dropped (Frazier et al, 1996). A number of studies report that victims are often unhappy with the information they receive from prosecutors on what to expect in court (Bennett et al, 1999, Frazier & Haney, 1996Konradi, 1997). Victims who expect to receive supportive services and legal advice may also be disappointed by the degree of collaboration between prosecutors and defense attorneys (Davis et al, 1984).…”

“…(U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, 1998). The importance of providing information on the reasons for not pursuing a case, or for not including victim statements as part of plea bargain decisions, has also been emphasized (Frazier & Haney, 1996;Konradi, 1997).…”