This study explores the reasons why women do not report sexual assault to the police, focusing on psychosocial variables and traumatic injury. Conducted over 18 months, it involved a survey of female victims presenting to an urban clinic or emergency department. The study found that women who did not report were often employed, had a history of recent alcohol or drug use, knew their assailant, and had a longer time interval between the assault and forensic evaluation. The primary reasons for not reporting were environmental factors, such as a prior relationship with the assailant, rather than internal psychological barriers like shame or fear.
documents/EFTA00156728.pdf
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