AI could help predict delayed reporting of rape

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-02-10 11:01

International

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Delays in rape reporting can complicate prosecutions and prevent rape survivors from receiving needed support. A team of UK and US researchers analysed publicly available crime data from two major US cities, looking at time, place, and socio-economic factors, and have now developed a machine learning framework that can predict reporting delays. For instance, they found that younger rape survivors and crimes committed during holiday seasons had longer reporting delays. They write that these insights could help organisations supporting survivors of sexual violence to provide their services at the right place and time.

Media release

From:

Journal/
conference: Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Warwick, UK

Funder: The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Urban Science (EPSRC grant no. EP/L016400/1); the Alan Turing Institute (EPSRC grant no. EP/N510129/1).

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