Police find it easier to believe 'perfect victim', study finds

Dr Jan Jordan says issues around credibility are the biggest blocks in taking rape complainants seriously.

In her research on police responses to rape victims a picture emerged where those whom the police found "easiest" to believe represented a stereotype of "real" rape victims.

"They are raped by a stranger who slips into their homes."

Dr Jordan began her research into police responses to rape in the 1990s for her PhD.

She had included the Rewa victims as examples of rape victims who had the early confidence of the police and were given a lot of support throughout their ordeal.

"The Rewa victims presented like perfect victims ... You couldn't question their credibility."

Dr Jordan had wanted to assess what could be learned from their relatively positive response from police.

For others, making a rape complaint was not a satisfactory process, especially if they had been drinking when assaulted or if they had made previous unresolved complaints.

"It is still really difficult to report rape ... Some women's word is doubted."

Dr Jordan said the majority of rapes remained unreported.

It was estimated only 10 per cent of all rape victims went to the police. Of those who did, most did not get a shot at justice.

There was no comparative data for New Zealand but in Britain only 6 per cent of rape complaints resulted in a conviction.

"There is a huge attrition rate. The biggest hurdle is getting police to pursue a prosecution ... Then most fall out of the system."

Dr Jordan hoped things would move forward.

"The present climate recognises there are limitations to the criminal justice system."