Policing rape and serious sexual offences: officers' insights on police specialism

Article

Barbin, A., Gekoski, A., Davies, K. and Horvath, M.A.H. 2024. Policing rape and serious sexual offences: officers' insights on police specialism. Journal of Criminal Psychology. 15 (5), p. 570–586. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-07-2024-0063
TypeArticle
TitlePolicing rape and serious sexual offences: officers' insights on police specialism
AuthorsBarbin, A., Gekoski, A., Davies, K. and Horvath, M.A.H.
Abstract

Purpose
Several studies have been conducted to understand why the conviction rate for rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) remains so low. Increasing pressure and criticism have led to questioning why improvements in RASSO investigations are proving ineffective. The purpose of this study was to capture police officers’ perspective of police specialism while investigating RASSO.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 82 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collection spanned across two years, from October 2021 until May 2023, and included police officers from four police forces in England and Wales. Template analysis was used to identify recurrent patterns around police specialism for RASSO.

Findings
Most officers viewed specialism as a tool to improve how police forces prevent and tackle RASSO. In spite of this, the lack of prioritisation of specialist training, roles and units specifically for this crime type has hindered the development of evidence-based practice in policing. The impact on well-being, resources, organisational support and role identity has been explored.

Originality/value
This is the first qualitative study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to look at officers’ insights on police specialism for RASSO in England and Wales. Officers discussed day-to-day challenges associated with conducting RASSO investigations while reflecting on potential advantages related to dedicated specialist units and/or specialist roles.

KeywordsPolicing; Police specialism; Specialism; Specialist units; Police interviews; RASSO; RASSO investigators; Sex offences; Police officers
Sustainable Development Goals16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
5 Gender equality
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
JournalJournal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN
Electronic2009-3829
Publication dates
Online17 Sep 2024
Print04 Nov 2025
Publication process dates
Submitted23 Jul 2024
Accepted15 Aug 2024
Deposited15 Dec 2025
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-07-2024-0063
Web of Science identifierWOS:001310766000001
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/252qz8

Log in to edit
  • 30
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

A comparison of ‘only-once’ and repeat male and female sex offence suspects
Spence, R., Crivatu, I., Davies, K. and Horvath, M. 2025. A comparison of ‘only-once’ and repeat male and female sex offence suspects. Journal of Sexual Aggression. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2025.2559946
Understanding marital rape perception in MENA and South Asia: the role of resistance, sexual deprivation, and jealousy
Khokhlova, O., Horvath, M., Allen, K. and Lamba, N. 2025. Understanding marital rape perception in MENA and South Asia: the role of resistance, sexual deprivation, and jealousy. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251366222
Types of domestic violence and abuse-flagged offenses and their associations: a quantitative exploration using English police data
Crivatu, I., Barbin, A., Horvath, M., Davies, K. and Spence, R. 2025. Types of domestic violence and abuse-flagged offenses and their associations: a quantitative exploration using English police data. Criminal Justice and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548251343816
“Unless you’ve got a conviction, there’s not much you can do”: rethinking long-term disruption and exit strategy in RASSO investigations
Allen, K., Khan, A., Horvath, M.A.H. and Davies, K. 2024. “Unless you’ve got a conviction, there’s not much you can do”: rethinking long-term disruption and exit strategy in RASSO investigations. Journal of Criminal Psychology. 15 (5), p. 553–569. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-05-2024-0041
Taking stock; a review of the state of forensic psychology as revealed through an analysis of journal articles 2015-20
Brown, J.M., Figueiredo, M.S. and Horvath, M.A.H. 2024. Taking stock; a review of the state of forensic psychology as revealed through an analysis of journal articles 2015-20. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice. 24 (2), pp. 170-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2088326
'A lot of the time it's dealing with victims who don't want to know, it's all made up, or they've got mental health': rape myths in a large English police force
Gekoski, A., Massey, K., Allen, K., Ferreira, J., Dalton, C.T., Horvath, M. and Davies, K. 2024. 'A lot of the time it's dealing with victims who don't want to know, it's all made up, or they've got mental health': rape myths in a large English police force. International Review of Victimology. 30 (1), pp. 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/02697580221142891
Myths about myths? A commentary on Thomas (2020) and the question of jury rape myth acceptance
Daly, E., Smith, O., Bows, H., Brown, J., Chalmers, J., Cowan, S., Horvath, M., Leverick, F., Lovett, J., Munro, V. and Willmott, D. 2023. Myths about myths? A commentary on Thomas (2020) and the question of jury rape myth acceptance. Journal of Gender-Based Violence. 7 (1), pp. 189-200. https://doi.org/10.1332/239868021X16371459419254
The impacts of working with victims of sexual violence: a rapid evidence assessment
Crivatu, I., Horvath, M. and Massey, K. 2023. The impacts of working with victims of sexual violence: a rapid evidence assessment. Trauma, Violence and Abuse. 24 (1), pp. 56-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211016024
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on reporting of rape, serious sexual offences, and domestic abuse in one English police force
Spence, R., Horvath, M., Dalton, C. and Davies, K. 2022. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on reporting of rape, serious sexual offences, and domestic abuse in one English police force. Journal of Gender-Based Violence. 6 (2), pp. 242-260. https://doi.org/10.1332/239868021X16425806897258
Understanding sexual violence and factors related to police outcomes
Davies, K., Spence, R., Cummings, E., Cross, M. and Horvath, M. 2022. Understanding sexual violence and factors related to police outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology. 13, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977318
Independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: a study of impacts, effects, coping mechanisms and effective support systems for people working as ISVAs and ISVA Managers
Horvath, M., Rose, H., Dalton, T., Massey, K., Crivatu, I. and Matthews, K. 2021. Independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: a study of impacts, effects, coping mechanisms and effective support systems for people working as ISVAs and ISVA Managers. London Middlesex University & Canterbury Christ Church University. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.14566638
The justice system is failing victims and survivors of sexual violence
Walker, T., Foster, A., Majeed-Ariss, R. and Horvath, M. 2021. The justice system is failing victims and survivors of sexual violence. The Psychologist. 34, pp. 42-45.
Minimising trauma in staff at a sexual assault referral centre: what and who is needed?
Horvath, M., Massey, K., Essafi, S. and Majeed-Ariss, R. 2020. Minimising trauma in staff at a sexual assault referral centre: what and who is needed? Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 74, p. 102029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102029
Healthy relationships? An exploration of violence, blame and relationships amongst sixteen to nineteen year old students
Scally, M. and Horvath, M. 2012. Healthy relationships? An exploration of violence, blame and relationships amongst sixteen to nineteen year old students. European Association of Psychology and Law Conference. Coventry, UK 03 - 06 Sep 2012
Staff experiences of working in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre: the impacts and emotional tolls of working with traumatised people
Massey, K., Horvath, M., Essafi, S. and Majeed-Ariss, R. 2019. Staff experiences of working in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre: the impacts and emotional tolls of working with traumatised people. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2019.1605615
Women's experiences of child custody in the context of intimate partner violence and abuse
Scally, M., Horvath, M. and Adler, J. 2018. Women's experiences of child custody in the context of intimate partner violence and abuse. British Society of Criminology Conference 2018: Transforming Criminology: Rethinking Crime in a Changing World. Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK 04 - 06 Jul 2018
The impact of witnessing other people’s trauma: the resilience and coping strategies of members of the faculty of forensic and legal medicine
Horvath, M. and Massey, K. 2018. The impact of witnessing other people’s trauma: the resilience and coping strategies of members of the faculty of forensic and legal medicine. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 55, pp. 99-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2018.02.012
The influence of magazines on men: normalizing and challenging young men’s prejudice with “lads’ mags”
Hegarty, P., Stewart, A., Blockmans, I. and Horvath, M. 2018. The influence of magazines on men: normalizing and challenging young men’s prejudice with “lads’ mags”. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 19 (1), pp. 131-144. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000075
Women’s experiences of child custody in the context of intimate partner violence and abuse
Scally, M., Horvath, M. and Adler, J. 2017. Women’s experiences of child custody in the context of intimate partner violence and abuse. British Psychology Society, Psychology of Women Section Annual Conference. Windsor, UK 12 - 14 Jul 2017
The prevalence and nature of sexual harassment and assault against women and girls on public transport: an international review
Gekoski, A., Gray, J., Adler, J. and Horvath, M. 2017. The prevalence and nature of sexual harassment and assault against women and girls on public transport: an international review. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice. 3 (1), pp. 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-08-2016-0016
More than a magazine: exploring the links between lads’ mags, rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity
Romero-Sánchez, M., Toro-García, V., Horvath, M. and Megías, J. 2017. More than a magazine: exploring the links between lads’ mags, rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 32 (4), pp. 515-534. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515586366
"I wasn’t sure it was normal to watch it…”A quantitative and qualitative examination of the impact of online pornography on the values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of children and young people
Martellozzo, E., Monaghan, A., Adler, J., Davidson, J., Leyva, R. and Horvath, M. 2016. "I wasn’t sure it was normal to watch it…”A quantitative and qualitative examination of the impact of online pornography on the values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of children and young people. Middlesex University, NSPCC, OCC. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3382393
Identifying the routes by which children view pornography online: implications for future policy-makers seeking to limit viewing report of expert panel for DCMS
Nash, V., Adler, J., Horvath, M., Livingstone, S., Marston, C., Owen, G., Wright, J. and Department of Culture, Media and Sport 2016. Identifying the routes by which children view pornography online: implications for future policy-makers seeking to limit viewing report of expert panel for DCMS. Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Evaluation report of the tender healthy relationships project national partnership programme
Sanders-McDonagh, E., Apena-Rogers, S., Horvath, M. and Selwood, S. 2015. Evaluation report of the tender healthy relationships project national partnership programme.
The prevalence, nature, and impact of intrafamilial child sexual abuse: findings from a rapid evidence assessment
Gekoski, A., Davidson, J. and Horvath, M. 2016. The prevalence, nature, and impact of intrafamilial child sexual abuse: findings from a rapid evidence assessment. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice. 2 (4), pp. 231-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-05-2016-0008
The effectiveness and impact of the child protection and criminal justice systems in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse
Gekoski, A., Horvath, M. and Davidson, J. 2016. The effectiveness and impact of the child protection and criminal justice systems in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice. 2 (1), pp. 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-06-2015-0023
What works in managing young people who offend? A summary of the international evidence
Adler, J., Edwards, S., Scally, M., Gill, D., Puniskis, M., Gekoski, A., Horvath, M. and Ministry of Justice Analytic Services 2016. What works in managing young people who offend? A summary of the international evidence. Ministry of Justice.
Alcohol use and crime
Horvath, M. and Le Boutillier, N. 2014. Alcohol use and crime. in: Albanese, J. (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice West Sussex, UK WileyBlackwell.
'What works' in reducing sexual harassment and sexual offences on public transport nationally and internationally: a rapid evidence assessment
Gekoski, A., Gray, J., Horvath, M., Edwards, S., Emirali, A. and Adler, J. 2015. 'What works' in reducing sexual harassment and sexual offences on public transport nationally and internationally: a rapid evidence assessment. London Middlesex University; British Transport Police; Department for Transport.
It's a lonely journey: a rapid evidence assessment on intrafamilial child sexual abuse
Horvath, M., Davidson, J., Grove-Hills, J., Gekoski, A. and Choak, C. 2014. It's a lonely journey: a rapid evidence assessment on intrafamilial child sexual abuse. London, UK Office of the Children's Commissioner.
Evaluation of the pilot of Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Kelly, L., Adler, J., Horvath, M., Lovett, J., Coulson, M., Kernohan, D., Gray, M., London Metropolitan University, Middlesex University and Home Office Science 2013. Evaluation of the pilot of Domestic Violence Protection Orders. London, UK Home Office.
Still not receiving the support they deserve ... final evaluation report for the Stella Project Young Women's Initiative
Horvath, M., Hansen, S., Rogers, S., Adler, J., FPS: Forensic Psychological Services, AVA Stella Project and Middlesex University School of Health and Social Sciences 2013. Still not receiving the support they deserve ... final evaluation report for the Stella Project Young Women's Initiative. London, UK AVA (Against Violence & Abuse).
Multiple perpetrator rape in the courtroom
Horvath, M. and Gray, J. 2013. Multiple perpetrator rape in the courtroom. in: Horvath, M. and Woodhams, J. (ed.) Handbook on the study of multiple perpetrator rape: a multidisciplinary response to an international problem London Routledge. pp. 214-234
Developments in investigative approaches to rape: the investigative heritage
Horvath, M. and Yexley, M. 2012. Developments in investigative approaches to rape: the investigative heritage. in: Brown, J. and Walklate, S. (ed.) Handbook on Sexual Violence Oxon, UK Routledge. pp. 114-136
Sexual assault.
Horvath, M. 2010. Sexual assault. in: Brown, J. and Campbell, E. (ed.) The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology Cambridge Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 543-551
Child sexual abuse
Horvath, M. 2010. Child sexual abuse. in: Brown, J. and Campbell, E. (ed.) The Cambridge handbook of forensic psychology Cambridge Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 345-353
Child victims of sexual abuse.
Horvath, M. 2010. Child victims of sexual abuse. in: Campbell, E. and Brown, J. (ed.) The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology Cambridge Cambridge University Press (CUP). pp. 141-142
Before the project everything seemed a little bit woolly - now we are definitely clearer in terms of pathways for women. Evaluating the Stella Project Mental Health Initiative: executive summary
Horvath, M., Hansen, S., Apena, F., Adler, J. and Holly, J. 2013. Before the project everything seemed a little bit woolly - now we are definitely clearer in terms of pathways for women. Evaluating the Stella Project Mental Health Initiative: executive summary. London, UK Forensic Psychological Services, Middlesex University and Against Violence and Abuse.
Tender healthy relationships evaluation: interim report
Sanders-McDonagh, E., Horvath, M., Apena-Rogers, S., Scally, M. and Piprawala, A. 2013. Tender healthy relationships evaluation: interim report. Middlesex University.
Before the project everything seemed a little bit woolly - now we are definitely clearer in terms of pathways for women. Evaluating the Stella Mental Health Initiative
Horvath, M., Hansen, S., Adler, J. and Rogers, S. 2013. Before the project everything seemed a little bit woolly - now we are definitely clearer in terms of pathways for women. Evaluating the Stella Mental Health Initiative. London, UK Against Violence and Abuse.
"Basically... porn is everywhere": A rapid evidence assessment on the effects that access and exposure to pornography has on children and young people
Horvath, M., Alys, L., Massey, K., Pina, A., Scally, M. and Adler, J. 2013. "Basically... porn is everywhere": A rapid evidence assessment on the effects that access and exposure to pornography has on children and young people. London, UK Office of the Children's Commissioner for England.
Reconstructing and sequencing behaviours in multiple perpetrator rape
Chambers, J., Horvath, M. and Kelly, L. 2013. Reconstructing and sequencing behaviours in multiple perpetrator rape. Psychology, Crime and Law. 19 (3), pp. 253-275. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2011.631537
Working in partnership to support the women: the Stella Project Mental Health Initiative interim evaluation report
Horvath, M., Hansen, S., Adler, J., Hiserodt, M. and Herring, J. 2012. Working in partnership to support the women: the Stella Project Mental Health Initiative interim evaluation report. London UK AVA Stella Project.
It blocks out the problem and becomes the addiction: the intersections between problem substance use and domestic and sexual violence experienced by young women in two London Boroughs
Horvath, M., Hansen, S., Apena-Rogers, S. and Adler, J. 2012. It blocks out the problem and becomes the addiction: the intersections between problem substance use and domestic and sexual violence experienced by young women in two London Boroughs. London, UK AVA Stella Project.
"Lights on at the end of the party": Are lads' mags mainstreaming dangerous sexism?
Horvath, M., Hegarty, P., Tyler, S. and Mansfield, S. 2012. "Lights on at the end of the party": Are lads' mags mainstreaming dangerous sexism? British Journal of Psychology. 103 (4), pp. 454-471.
A question of commitment – improving practitioner responses to domestic and sexual violence, problematic substance use and mental ill-health
Holly, J. and Horvath, M. 2012. A question of commitment – improving practitioner responses to domestic and sexual violence, problematic substance use and mental ill-health. Advances in Dual Diagnosis: Policy, practice and research in mental health and substance use. 5 (2), pp. 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/17570971211241912
Understanding criminal investigation.
Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvath, M. 2009. Understanding criminal investigation. Chichester WileyBlackwell.
Do you believe her and is it real rape?
Brown, J. and Horvath, M. 2009. Do you believe her and is it real rape? in: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. (ed.) Rape: challenging contemporary thinking Cullompton Willan. pp. 325-342
Setting the scene: introduction to understanding rape.
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2009. Setting the scene: introduction to understanding rape. in: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. (ed.) Rape: challenging contemporary thinking. Cullompton Willan. pp. 1-16
Alcohol and drugs in rape and sexual assault
Lovett, J. and Horvath, M. 2009. Alcohol and drugs in rape and sexual assault. in: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. (ed.) Rape: challenging contemporary thinking Cullompton Willan Publishing. pp. 125-160
Using police data for empirical investigations of rape.
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2007. Using police data for empirical investigations of rape. Issues in Forensic Psychology. 6, pp. 49-56.
Rape: challenging contemporary thinking
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2009. Rape: challenging contemporary thinking. Cullompton Willan.
Critical issues in rape investigation: an overview of reform in England and Wales
Horvath, M., Tong, S. and Williams, E. 2011. Critical issues in rape investigation: an overview of reform in England and Wales. The Journal of Criminal Justice Research. 1 (2).
Lads mags, young men’s attitudes towards women and acceptance of myths about sexual aggression.
Coy, M. and Horvath, M. 2011. Lads mags, young men’s attitudes towards women and acceptance of myths about sexual aggression. Feminism and Psychology. 21 (1), pp. 144-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353509359145
Between a rock and a hard place
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2010. Between a rock and a hard place. The Psychologist. 23 (7), pp. 556-559.
A typology of multiple perpetrator rape
Chambers, J., Horvath, M. and Kelly, L. 2010. A typology of multiple perpetrator rape. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 37 (10), pp. 1114-1139. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854810377971
Multiple perpetrator rape: naming an offence and initial research findings
Horvath, M. and Kelly, L. 2009. Multiple perpetrator rape: naming an offence and initial research findings. Journal of Sexual Aggression. 15 (1), pp. 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600802653818
Alcohol as drug of choice; is drug-assisted rape amisnomer?
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2007. Alcohol as drug of choice; is drug-assisted rape amisnomer? Psychology, Crime and Law. 13 (5), pp. 417-429. https://doi.org/10.1080/10683160601061117
Below the age of consent: influences on moral and legaljudgments of adult–adolescent sexual relationships
Horvath, M. and Giner-Sorolla, R. 2007. Below the age of consent: influences on moral and legaljudgments of adult–adolescent sexual relationships. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 37 (12), pp. 2980-3009. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00290.x
The role of drugs and alcohol in rape
Horvath, M. and Brown, J. 2006. The role of drugs and alcohol in rape. Medicine, Science and the Law. 46 (3), pp. 219-228. https://doi.org/10.1258/rsmmsl.46.3.219