Dorothy F. Marsil

The Prevalence of Stalking Among College Students: The Disparity Between Researcher- and Self-identified Victimization

Abstract Objective: Researchers examined the prevalence of self-identified and researcher-identified stalking victimization among college students. Participants and Methods: A representative sample of 1,573 (70.1% female; 29.9% male) student respondents completed an online stalking questionnaire. Results: Overall, 12% self-identified as having been stalked. Additionally, 42.5% (45.4% female; 35.7% male) of students reported experiencing at least 1 behavioral indicator of stalking victimization; however, only 24.7% of those self-identified as being stalked (25.6% female; 22.0% male). Conclusions: Stalking is a serious problem in the college community. A concern that needs to be addressed is the disparity between the number of those who met the behavioral criteria for stalking victimization, but who did not self-identify as a victim. The consequences of stalking victimization are highlighted. Recommendations for addressing this issue on campus are detailed in a plan that may help improve the retention, progression, and graduation rates for stalking victims.

Perceptions of Elder Neglect in the Courtroom

ABSTRACT This study investigated the perception of elder neglect by undergraduate mock jurors. Ninety-eight men and women read fictional criminal trial summaries of a neglect case (i.e., First-Degree Criminal Abuse) in which the age of the alleged victim was 76- or 86-years-old and the alleged victim had either a cognitive deficit or a physical disability. The results showed that the alleged victims health status affected perceptions of mock jurors. There were more guilty verdicts and higher ratings of the defendants guilt when the alleged victim had a cognitive deficit than when she did not. These results are discussed in terms of the implications of bringing cases of elder abuse to court.

Perceptions of elder physical abuse in the courtroom: the influence of hearsay witness testimony

ABSTRACT A community sample of 226 participants (41% men, 59% women) who answered questions about a trial summary that manipulated what type of witness (a 45-year-old hearsay [second-hand information based on the report of a crime victim] witness, a 75-year-old hearsay witness, or the 75-year-old victim) presented an allegation of elder physical abuse. Overall, participants who read the testimony of a 45-year-old hearsay witness had higher conviction rates than participants who read the testimony of the 75-year-old hearsay witness or the elder victim. Additionally, participants who had previously been victims of abuse and/or who had positive attitudes toward elderly people rendered more pro-prosecution verdicts. Finally, as the age of the participant increased so did conviction rates.

The Perception of Elder Sexual Abuse in the Courtroom

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 elders 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.

An examination of the disparity between self-identified versus legally-identified rape victimization: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective: Researchers compared rape victimization based on self-identification to the current federal legal definition in a pilot study of college students. Methods: The sample was comprised of 1,648 (69.8% female; 30.2% male) college students who completed the Sexual Experiences Survey—Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV) online. Results: Based on the current legal definition of rape, 9.4% (11.1% female; 5.2% male) of students had been raped since being enrolled, but only 2.9% of students self-identified as being raped. Moreover, 15.1% of students reported ever being raped, with females acknowledging higher rates (19.7%) than males (4.3%). Conclusions: Rape continues to be a major issue for colleges and universities. A serious concern is the disparity between the number of those who met the behavioral criteria for rape victimization based on the current legal definition, but who did not self-identify as a victim. Universities must address this disparity by using multiple measures to assess the prevalence of sexual violence on campus.

Hearsay Testimony in Elder Abuse Cases : A Gray Area at Best

Abstract A surge in the number of older adults in the population has given rise to an increase in reported elder abuse cases. Because some courts perceive alleged victims who are older adults to have unique needs, special accommodations are being made for them in the courtroom, including the use of hearsay testimony. A hearsay witness is someone who testifies to out-of-court statements made by another person, usually the alleged victim. The hearsay witness may testify in lieu of the declarants testifying in open court due to unavailability. The use of hearsay witnesses can be troubling given the research that exists on the questionable reliability of the declarant and the hearsay witness, the lack of accuracy, and the unnecessary bias that can occur when evaluating the credibility of the witness. This commentary elaborates on the reasons why the use of hearsay, especially as a special protection for older adults, should be limited.