1. The Perception of Elder Sexual Abuse in the Courtroom
- Author
-
John A. Yozwiak, Jonathan M. Golding, Dorothy F. Marsil, Gregory S. Bradshaw, Terri L. Kinstle, and Emily C. Hodell
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Sociology and Political Science ,Poison control ,Elder Abuse ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Gender Studies ,Judgment ,Sex Factors ,Criminal Law ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Injury prevention ,Credibility ,Humans ,Medicine ,Crime Victims ,Aged ,business.industry ,Human factors and ergonomics ,humanities ,Attitude ,Social Perception ,Sexual abuse ,Conviction ,Female ,Empathy ,business ,Law ,Social psychology ,Clinical psychology - 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.
- Published
- 2009