Rape Trials in England and Wales, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2018
Observing Justice and Rethinking Rape Myths

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Language: English

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Rape Trials in England and Wales
Publication date:
Support: Print on demand

Approximative price 147.69 €

In Print (Delivery period: 15 days).

Add to cartAdd to cart
Rape Trials in England and Wales
Publication date:
Support: Print on demand
In light of ongoing concerns about the treatment of survivors, Rape Trials in England and Wales critically examines court responses to rape and sexual assault. Using new data from an in-depth observational study of rape trials, this book asks why attempts to improve survivor experiences at court have not been fully effective. In doing so, Smith identifies deep-rooted barriers to survivor justice and, crucially, introduces potential avenues for more effective reform. 

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the practicalities of court, use of rape myths and sexual history evidence, underlying principles of adversarial justice and the impact of inequalities embedded within English and Welsh legal culture. This engaging and highly significant study is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the criminal courts and their responses to rape, including practitioners and students of criminology, sociology, and law.  

Chapter 1. Introduction: Setting the Scene.
Chapter 2. Rape Trial Practicalities: Delays, Special Measures & the Survivors’ Experience.
Chapter 3. Rape Myths & ‘Rational’ Ideals in Sex Offence Trials.
Chapter 4. Sexual History Evidence in Rape Trials.
Chapter 5. Stereotypes & Adversarial Justice in Rape Trials.
Chapter 6. Cross-Examination, Fair Trial & Survivor Justice in Rape.
Chapter 7. Where Next? Conclusions & Considerations for the Future of Rape Justice.

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Olivia Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Anglia Ruskin University, UK. Olivia has co-convened the British Sociological Association’s Violence Against Women Study Group and is working with women involved in prostitution at the Rahab Project.


Draws upon 13 months of court observations to examine rape trials in England and Wales

Explores the ways in which the underlying contexts of the criminal justice system contribute to ongoing problems experienced by rape survivors

Reveals new theories as to why rape myths remain so pervasive even within the courts