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Research for the Real world: The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault

Join Dr. Rebecca Campbell as she discusses how research can inform the long-standing problem of sexual assault case attrition. Explore research on case attrition, victim behavior, and the neurobiology of trauma, and learn how these findings can change practice.

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Research for the Real world: The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault

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  1. Research for the Real world:The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault Rebecca Campbell, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Michigan State University

  2. Today’s Presentation

  3. Today’s Presentation • Discuss how research can inform a long-standing problem: sexual assault case attrition

  4. Today’s Presentation • Discuss how research can inform a long-standing problem: sexual assault case attrition • Review research on case attrition • Examine research on victim behavior and the neurobiology of trauma • Discuss how these findings can change practice

  5. Sexual Assault Case Attrition What Happens When Victims Report

  6. “The stuff they say makes no sense. So no, I don’t always believe them, and yeah, I let them know that. Then they say, ‘never mind, I don’t want to do this.’ Ok, fine. Complaintant Refused to Prosecute. Case closed.” Sex Crimes Unit Detective, 15 Years Experience

  7. “It’s hard, trying to stop what they [police] do to victims. They don’t believe them and treat them so bad they [victims] give up. It happens over & over again.” Rape Victim Advocate, 8 Years Experience

  8. “He didn’t believe me and he treated me like sh*t. Didn’t surprise me when he said there wasn’t enough to go on to do anything. Didn’t surprise me, but still hurt.” Rape Survivor, 24 Years-Old

  9. Sexual Assault Case Attrition SOURCE: Campbell et al., 2012

  10. Sexual Assault Case Attrition SOURCE: Campbell et al., 2012

  11. Sexual Assault Case Attrition SOURCE: Campbell et al., 2012

  12. Secondary Victimization

  13. Secondary Victimization SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2001

  14. Psychological Impact on Victims SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell & Raja, 2005

  15. “The stuff they say makes no sense. So no, I don’t always believe them, and yeah, I let them know that. Then they say, ‘never mind, I don’t want to do this.’ Ok, fine. Complaintant Refused to Prosecute. Case closed.” Sex Crimes Unit Detective, 15 Years Experience

  16. “The stuff they say makes no sense. So no, I don’t always believe them, and yeah, I let them know that. Then they say, ‘never mind, I don’t want to do this.’ Ok, fine. Complaintant Refused to Prosecute. Case closed.” Sex Crimes Unit Detective, 15 Years Experience

  17. “The stuff they say makes no sense. So no, I don’t always believe them, and yeah, I let them know that. Then they say, ‘never mind, I don’t want to do this.’ Ok, fine. Complaintant Refused to Prosecute. Case closed.” Sex Crimes Unit Detective, 15 Years Experience

  18. “The stuff they say makes no sense. So no, I don’t always believe them, and yeah, I let them know that. Then they say, ‘never mind, I don’t want to do this.’ Ok, fine. Complaintant Refused to Prosecute. Case closed.” Sex Crimes Unit Detective, 15 Years Experience

  19. “The stuff they say makes no sense.” SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2009; Campbell et al., in progress

  20. “The stuff they say makes no sense.” “I see them hedge, making it up as they go along.” SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2009; Campbell et al., in progress

  21. “The stuff they say makes no sense.” “I see them hedge, making it up as they go along.” “They lie all the time, I can tell.” SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2009; Campbell et al., in progress

  22. “The stuff they say makes no sense.” “I see them hedge, making it up as they go along.” “They lie all the time, I can tell.” “No way it’s true. No one would act like that if it’s true.” SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2009; Campbell et al., in progress

  23. “The stuff they say makes no sense.” “I see them hedge, making it up as they go along.” “They lie all the time, I can tell.” “No way it’s true. No one would act like that if it’s true.” “They can’t get their story straight.” SOURCE: Campbell, 2005; Campbell et al., 2009; Campbell et al., in progress

  24. Research for the Real World Criminal Justice

  25. Research for the Real World CASE ATTRITION

  26. Research for the Real World Psychology & Psychiatry

  27. Research for the Real World NEUROBIOLOGY OF TRAUMA

  28. Research for the Real World CASE ATTRITION NEUROBIOLOGY OF TRAUMA

  29. Research for the Real World CASE ATTRITION NEUROBIOLOGY OF TRAUMA Understand victims’ behavior Educate practitioners Change how the system responds to victims

  30. The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault

  31. Brain Regions Impacted by Trauma

  32. Brain-Body Regions Impacted by Trauma HPA Axis Balances body following stress by releasing of various hormones/chemicals SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  33. Brain-Body Regions Impacted by Trauma Catecholomines: Fight or flight response Cortisol: Energy available Opiods: Prevent pain Oxytocin: Promotes good feelings SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  34. Brain Regions Impacted by Trauma

  35. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  36. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  37. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  38. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  39. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  40. Memory Processes Impacted by Trauma Hippocampus processes information into memories Encoding = Organizing sensory information Consolidation = Grouping information into memories and storing them Amygdalaspecializes in the processing of emotional memories (works with the hippocampus) Both structures are VERY sensitive to hormonal fluctuations SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  41. Like These . . . Catecholomines: Fight or flight response Cortisol: Energy available Opiods: Prevent pain Oxytocin: Promotes good feelings

  42. Like These . . . Catecholomines: Fight or flight response Cortisol: Energy available Opiods: Prevent pain Oxytocin: Promotes good feelings THESE HORMONES IMPAIR MEMORY CONSOLIDATION SOURCE: Southwick et al., 2005

  43. What Happens During A Sexual Assault SOURCE: Banks, 2002; Southwick et al., 2005

  44. What Happens During A Sexual Assault SOURCE: Banks, 2002; Southwick et al., 2005

  45. What Happens During A Sexual Assault SOURCE: Banks, 2002; Southwick et al., 2005

  46. What Happens During A Sexual Assault Can Trigger a Complete “Shut Down” in the Body SOURCE: Banks, 2002; Southwick et al., 2005

  47. Tonic Immobility (TI) • AKA: “Rape-induced paralysis” SOURCE: Fuse et al., 2007; Galiano et al., 1993; Heidt et al., 2005

  48. Tonic Immobility (TI) • AKA: “Rape-induced paralysis” • Autonomic (uncontrollable) mammalian response in extremely fearful situations SOURCE: Fuse et al., 2007; Galiano et al., 1993; Heidt et al., 2005

  49. Tonic Immobility (TI) • AKA: “Rape-induced paralysis” • Autonomic (uncontrollable) mammalian response in extremely fearful situations • Increased breathing, eye closure, paralysis SOURCE: Fuse et al., 2007; Galiano et al., 1993; Heidt et al., 2005

  50. Tonic Immobility (TI) • AKA: “Rape-induced paralysis” • Autonomic (uncontrollable) mammalian response in extremely fearful situations • Increased breathing, eye closure, paralysis • 12-50% rape victims experience TI during assault SOURCE: Fuse et al., 2007; Galiano et al., 1993; Heidt et al., 2005

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