000			02920nab a22003497a 4500
999			_c8778 _d8778
005			20250625151705.0
008			240716s2023 -n|| |||| 00| 0 eng d
040			_aAFVC
100			_aBurgstedt, Corinna _913156
245			_aDoes gender affect judges’ perceptions of sexual assault cases? _cCorinna Burgstedt, Amy Beeby, Harlene Hayne, Linda Hobbs, Julien Gross and Tess Patterson
260			_bSage, _c2023
500			_aJournal of Interpersonal Violence, 2024, 38(1-2), 466-508.
520			_aThere is growing recognition that females engage in harmful sexual behaviour that is similar in severity and type to males. Existing research, however, suggests that there is a bias towards leniency in judicial systems for female sexual offenders (FSOs) in comparison to male sexual offenders (MSOs). Specifically, FSOs receive shorter sentences than do MSOs and are less likely to be sentenced to prison. The majority of research examining disparity in sentence outcomes for FSOs have been analysed through a quantitative lens. Qualitative methodology is also needed to understand any subjective differences in the way that judges perceive case-relevant factors and whether these perceptions differ as a function of the offender’s gender. The present study is a qualitative study that examined judges’ perceptions and descriptions of FSO compared to MSO in 10 matched cases of sexual offending. The study found that although there were many similarities in how judges perceived FSO compared to MSO, there were also unique differences that could explain more lenient sentences for FSOs (i.e. the vulnerability, poor mental health and adverse backgrounds of FSOs). Other unique differences found were that judges’ perception of FSOs behaviour was described as depraved and cruel, whereas MSOs similar behaviour was not described in such an emotive way. The present study provides additional insight into the reasons for a bias towards leniency for FSOs. In particular, it points towards judicial focus on particular personal circumstances that are seen as relevant in sentencing FSOs but not for MSOs. (Authors' abstract). Record #8778
650			_aABUSIVE WOMEN _927
650			_aCRIMINAL JUSTICE _9167
650		4	_9269 _aGENDER
650		0	_98151 _aLEGAL PROFESSION
650			_aSENTENCING _94166
650			_aSEX OFFENDERS _9528
650			_aSEXUAL VIOLENCE _9531
650			_aWOMEN _9645
651			_aNEW ZEALAND _92588
700			_aBeeby, Amy _910518
700			_aHayne, Harlene _91320
700			_aHobbs, Linda _910519
700			_aGross, Julien _910520
700			_aPatterson, Tess _96597
773	0		_tJournal of Interpersonal Violence, 2024, 38(1-2), 466-508.
830			_aJournal of Interpersonal Violence _94621
856			_uhttps://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221085034 _zDOI: 10.1177/08862605221085034 (Open access)
942			_2ddc _cARTICLE _hnews128