Describes recent reforms adopted in some jurisdictions, such as protecting the anonymity of the victim & allowing complainants to report sexual assault even when the victim chooses not to press charges. Law enforcement officials & district attorneys have worked to support compensation for victims & also have created victim-witness advocate positions to help victims navigate the criminal justice process & speed their recovery. Contains a glossary, resources, & tables.

Cassia Spohn and Katharine Tellis assess the criminal justice system¿s response to sexual assault, exploring the complex dynamics that shape the actions of police and prosecutors. The authors draw on unparalleled access to Los Angeles detectives, prosecutors, and case files to make sense of the factors that affect the outcomes of sexual assault claims. Following cases from victim report, to police investigation, to the decision to charge¿or not to charge¿they provide new insights into why shockingly few sexual assault claims lead to an eventual criminal conviction.