The Perception of Elder Sexual Abuse in the Courtroom
Department
Psychology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2009
Abstract
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.
Journal Title
Violence Against Women
Journal ISSN
1552-8448
Volume
15
Issue
6
First Page
678
Last Page
698
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1177/1077801209332294