Rape, Gender and Class: Intersections in Courtroom Narratives

This book examines the use of cultural narratives and narratives of credibility in rape trials in England and Wales, drawing on court observation methods and data from 2019. It explores rape myths and broader cultural narratives, focusing on gender, class, age, (dis)ability, and mental health. It argues for widening the lens to understand the impacts of rape myths in the courtroom and criminal justice system. The findings will help inform further research and positive changes to policy and practice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book offers a timely analysis of the use of cultural narratives and narratives of credibility in rape trials in England and Wales, drawing on court observation methods. It utilizes data from rape and sexual assault trials conducted in 2019 to examine emerging issues such as the use of digital evidence and the impacts of increased policy attention on rape trials.

Drawing on the concept of master narratives, the book explores rape myths and broader cultural narratives, focusing on the intersections of gender, class, age, (dis)ability, and mental health. It emphasizes the importance of situating rape myth debates and sexual violence research within a broader cultural context, arguing for a wider lens to view rape myths in the courtroom and the broader criminal justice system.

The findings presented in this book contribute to ongoing discussions by providing scholars, practitioners, and policymakers with a better understanding of the mechanisms that undermine and retraumatize victim-survivors in the courtroom. It aims to inform further research and drive positive changes to policy and practice.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030939243
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022