TY - JOUR
T1 - The perception of elder sexual abuse in the courtroom
AU - Hodell, Emily C.
AU - Golding, Jonathan M.
AU - Yozwiak, John A.
AU - Bradshaw, Gregory S.
AU - Kinstle, Terri L.
AU - Marsil, Dorothy F.
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - This study explored mock juror perceptions of elder sexual mistreatment (ESM). In Experiment 1, 118 participants read a fictional criminal trial summary of an ESM case in which a 76-year-old woman was allegedly abused by either her son or a neighbor. In Experiment 2 (n = 360), the ESM occurred in either a nursing home or the elder's home and the alleged perpetrator was either her son or a nursing home worker. Conviction rates were relatively low in both experiments (25% and 33%, respectively). Women were more pro-prosecution than men in case judgments. Overall, the study provides evidence that mock jurors may question the credibility of elders in ESM cases.
AB - This study explored mock juror perceptions of elder sexual mistreatment (ESM). In Experiment 1, 118 participants read a fictional criminal trial summary of an ESM case in which a 76-year-old woman was allegedly abused by either her son or a neighbor. In Experiment 2 (n = 360), the ESM occurred in either a nursing home or the elder's home and the alleged perpetrator was either her son or a nursing home worker. Conviction rates were relatively low in both experiments (25% and 33%, respectively). Women were more pro-prosecution than men in case judgments. Overall, the study provides evidence that mock jurors may question the credibility of elders in ESM cases.
KW - Criminal trial
KW - Elder sexual abuse
KW - Juror perceptions
KW - Mock jury
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65149091938&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=65149091938&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1077801209332294
DO - 10.1177/1077801209332294
M3 - Article
C2 - 19299250
AN - SCOPUS:65149091938
SN - 1077-8012
VL - 15
SP - 678
EP - 698
JO - Violence Against Women
JF - Violence Against Women
IS - 6
ER -