Victim and Witness Retraction and Disengagement: A Systematic Review of Contributing Factors

What factors contribute to witness retraction, disengagement or withdrawal from the legal processing of cases, thereby bringing a halt to prosecution processes? The review focused mainly on offences of personal and sexual violence against adult victims. Eight electronic databases were searched, locating a total of 3264 potentially relevant records of which 39 studies were retained for review. While there are numerous studies on attrition, the proportion of them concerned with retraction, disengagement or withdrawal was small. Factors associated with retraction and withdrawal in cases of partner violence included where a couple are living together; where despite conflicts, they have apparently reconciled; where the victim wants the partner to be rehabilitated rather than punished; where the abuser agrees to have counselling or other help; and where the victim engages in self-blame or feels ashamed. Factors associated with cases of rape and sexual assault included victims fearing that their accounts will not be believed and of being cross-examined in court, especially when that can be done by the defendant. Women are more likely to disengage from rape cases if they are more highly distressed, engage in self-blame, have become pregnant or have been hospitalized. Crime investigations that include taking photographs, gathering forensic evidence, video-recorded statements, victim impact statements and where victims are quickly put in contact with support services are more likely to be followed to prosecution. Participation is sustained where victims have found the initial police contact more helpful, which can be influenced by training.