Think of a criminal justice or social science-related policy that interests you. Using the text and this week’s module as a guide, select one of the eight (8) policies listed in the Capstone Paper Topics page to write your capstone paper about. You may also choose a policy other than the ones listed as long as you include it in this assignment and receive my permission to proceed. If you choose a different policy than the ones provided, please be sure to provide the specific policy (not a general topic, i.e., ghost guns, death penalty, etc.) that you will research and allow up to 48 hours for me to respond to your email. You might not receive approval for your topic on the first go around, so allow yourself extra time to receive approval.
In a Word doc, answer the following questions. Please include the questions as well as your responses in your assignment.
What policy are you interested in researching for your capstone paper?
Why does this policy/issue interest you? Explain.
Write a thesis statement (see page 11 in the text; a one-sentence statement that tells your reader what your paper will be about) for the policy you selected.
What are some keywords you can use to search for research on your selected policy (include at least 3)?
When victims of sexual assault seek assistance from the criminal justice system, they expect that the professionals they encounter will treat them with compassion and respect and will help them navigate the various processes in the system (vision statement). According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN, 2009), approximately 213,000 individuals are sexually assaulted every year. Yet, according to data compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 35% of sexual assault victims report such incidents to law enforcement (Truman & Langton, 2014). This is because those who do decide to seek the help of the criminal justice system often find the experience to be both frustrating and traumatic. Specifically, victims are asked to repeatedly recount the details of their assault to numerous people. In addition, they may not be informed about what decisions are made relating to their case or why these decisions are made. These experiences may cause victims to feel retraumatized. Consequently, victims may cease to cooperate with criminal justice professionals or they may refuse to seek the assistance of the system in the future (issue statement). By providing these individuals with a sexual assault victim’s advocate after they initiate contact with the system, the advocate can help minimize the victims’ feelings of isolation and improve their satisfaction with the system. Further, advocates can help victims navigate and understand the legal process and serve as a liaison between the victims and the other professionals who work in the system (solution statement).