ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

ASSESSMENT 2: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essay Question
Choose ONE of the following issues: analyse the challenges and opportunities for improving the police or criminal justice response. Your analysis must use concepts from at least TWO theoretical perspectives covered in the subject- of sexual assault

Type your responses in the boxes below:
Reference 1: Peer-reviewed journal article (Scholarly)
Reference details
Henry, N., Flynn, A. and Powell, A., 2018. Policing image-based sexual abuse: Stakeholder perspectives. Police practice and research, 19(6), pp.565-581.

Annotation 1: Summary and evaluation (250 words, +/- 10% leeway)
Annotation The authors focused on highlighting the effectiveness of Australian policing efforts towards addressing image-based sexual assault in Australia. After defining IBSA as non-consented recording, threats, and actual distribution of sexual and nude images, the study focused on highlighting some of the fundamental amendments in the existing laws to address this crime. The data collection process entailed interviews with 52 Australian legal experts and professionals to ascertain the response of law enforcement agencies to IBSA. Despite the findings of the study suggesting that IBSA is considered a serious crime by the police, several factors act as barriers to an effective response to IBSA. The findings of the study indicated that lack of adequate resources, inconsistency of the existing laws, jurisdictional boundaries, lack of evidence, and victim blaming are among the major barriers to effective policing and response to sexual assault. Notably, despite such crimes being considered serious, this qualitative research derives its findings from a well-informed sample size comprised of experts and professionals. The study recommends that a multidimensional approach should be utilised to eliminate barriers rather than focusing on the amendment of the law. This article is critical since it gives suggestions on some of the major hindrances affecting the efficiency of the police in tackling such crimes. Applying the stated recommendations could greatly improve the outcomes of the stated process. However, the study was only focused on IBSA and hence did not address the other significant forms of sexual assault.

Reference 2: A second peer-reviewed journal article (scholarly) or newspaper article (non-scholarly) or government report (scholarly) or book chapter (scholarly).
Reference details Westera, N.J., Powell, M.B., Goodman-Delahunty, J. and Zajac, R., 2020. Special measures in child sexual abuse cases: Views of Australian criminal justice professionals. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 32(2), pp.224-242.

Annotation 2: Summary and evaluation (250 words, +/- 10% leeway)

Annotation With a sample size of 43 participants, the authors conducted a study to ascertain how efficiently the measures in place are working for child complainants of sexual assault. The qualitative study derived its sample size from professionals such as judges, counsels, and prosecutors who are directly involved with such cases. Cumulatively, this study noted that there have been great improvements in the evidence-giving process for child sexual abuse complaints and this has majorly been associated with a certain degree of technological improvement. Nonetheless, there are a lot of loopholes that should be addressed to ensure maximum efficacy of the whole process. Despite the noted improvements, there are four challenges the study identified that should be corrected to enhance the efficacy of the process. The scarcity of well-informed personnel has been a serious issue of concern affecting the efficiency of the process. Professional development and training of this task force will act as an opportunity in addressing sexual assault cases, especially for child abusers. Despite technology being an asset, errors in its utilization are catastrophic and easily sabotage the whole process. Lack of flexibility especially when dealing with the variations in witnesses interferes with the process. On evaluation, this article is vital as it offers critical information and recommendations that when applied will greatly enhance the outcome of the process. More so, the authors agree that the police take such kinds of crimes seriously, it is just that the spotlighted challenges are the key areas that need to be addressed. With such information, the existing gaps in policing and legal frameworks revolving around sexual assault will easily be addressed by application of the recommendations from these authors.