Tested at Last: How DNA Evidence in Untested Rape Kits Can Identify Offenders and Serial Sexual Assaults

An increasing number of U.S. law enforcement agencies have disclosed that they have large numbers of untested sexual assault kits (SAKs; also called "rape kits") in police property storage. Whether previously untested SAKs should be tested for DNA evidence has been the subject of considerable public debate. 

To inform policy and practice regarding rape kit testing, the current study tested a sample of 900 previously unsubmitted SAKs from Detroit, Michigan, and documented the DNA forensic testing outcomes associated with those kits. 

We assessed how many SAKs yielded DNA profiles eligible for upload into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the federal DNA criminal database; how many resulted in a DNA match (termed a "CODIS hit"); and how many of those hits were associated to other sexual assault crimes (i.e., serial sexual assault hits). 

Overall, there were 259 CODIS hits, 69 of which had DNA matches to another sexual assault case. The potential utility of a DNA profile and CODIS hit may vary depending on whether offender was known or unknown to the victim, so we examined these outcomes separately for SAKs associated with stranger- and non-stranger-perpetrated sexual assaults. 

We also present six case study examples of how DNA testing and CODIS hits helped identify serial sexual assaults in both stranger and non-stranger sexual assault cases. Implications for rape kit testing policies are discussed.

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By:  Campbell R1, Feeney H2, Pierce SJ2, Sharma DB2, Fehler-Cabral G3.

• 1Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA rmc@msu.edu.
• 2Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
• 3Harder + Company Community Research, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 
• J Interpers Violence. 2016 Mar 27. pii: 0886260516639585. 

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The Cost of Recovery: Shifts in Income and Expenses During a Three-Phased Transition from Sex Work and Addiction to Drug Treatment and Independent Living

This paper describes the economic changes experienced by former Detroit sex workers as they progressed through a court-supervised treatment and recovery program. 

Semistructured interviews were conducted with women during three phases of the program: pretreatment (n = 31), treatment (n = 24), and transitional housing/independence (n = 31). Interviews were also conducted with women who had terminated from the program (n = 8). Sources and levels of income and expenses in each phase were recorded in detail. We found that women earned and spent substantially more money when they actively engaged in street sex work. Legal income remained low after the treatment phase, with only 39 percent of women in the final phase reporting regular work. 

We conclude that decreased drug expenditures are not enough to offset the decrease in income that accompanies termination of sex work. Policies supporting income, employment, and education for people in transition are recommended.

Full PDF article at: https://goo.gl/pMFnBh  Abstract:  http://goo.gl/3BdnSb

By:  Juliette Roddy1, Paul Draus1, Kanzoni Asabigi2

¹University of Michigan–Dearborn, USA

²Detroit Bureaus of Substance Abuse, Treatment and Prevention, MI, USA

Juliette Roddy, Department of Health and Human Services, University of Michigan–Dearborn, 19000 Hubbard Drive, 262 Fairlane Center South, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA. Email: jroddy@umich.edu

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Homelessness and Housing Insecurity among Former Prisoners

The United States has experienced dramatic increases in both incarceration rates and the population of insecurely housed or homeless persons since the 1980s. These marginalized populations have strong overlaps, with many people being poor, minority, and from an urban area. That a relationship between homelessness, housing insecurity, and incarceration exists is clear, but the extent and nature of this relationship is not yet adequately understood. We use longitudinal, administrative data on Michigan parolees released in 2003 to examine returning prisoners’ experiences with housing insecurity and homelessness. 

Our analysis finds relatively low rates of outright homelessness among former prisoners, but very high rates of housing insecurity, much of which is linked to features of community supervision, such as intermediate sanctions, returns to prison, and absconding. 

We identify risk factors for housing insecurity, including mental illness, substance use, prior incarceration, and homelessness, as well as protective “buffers” against insecurity and homelessness, including earnings and social supports.

Below:  Cumulative Probability of Residential Moves, by Type

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/2lKBPX

By:  Claire W. Herbert, doctoral student, Jeffrey D. Morenoff, associate professor of sociology and associate research professor, and David J. Harding, associate professor of sociology

CLAIRE W. HERBERT, University of Michigan.

Contributor Information.

Direct correspondence to: Claire W. Herbert at ; Email: ude.hcimu@hwerialc, Department of Sociology, University of Michigan, 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109; Jeffrey D. Morenoff at ; Email: ude.hcimu@ffonerom, University of Michigan, 500 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109; and David J. Harding at ; Email: ude.yelekreb@gnidrahd, Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, 462 Barrows Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720.

RSF. 2015 Nov; 1(2): 44–79.

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Psychological Well-Being among Religious and Spiritual-identified Young Gay and Bisexual Men

Religiosity and spirituality are often integral facets of human development. Young gay and bisexual men (YGBM), however, may find themselves at odds when attempting to reconcile potentially conflicting identities like religion and their sexual orientation. 

We sought to explore how different components of religiosity (participation, commitment, spiritual coping) are linked to different markers of psychological well-being (life purpose, self-esteem, and internalized homophobia). 

Using data collected in Metro Detroit (N = 351 ages 18-29 years; 47 % African American, 29 % Non-Latino White, 8 % Latino, 16 % Other Race), we examined how components of religiosity/spirituality were associated with psychological well-being among religious/spiritual-identified participants. 

An overwhelming majority (79.5 %) identified as religious/spiritual, with most YGBM (91.0 %) reporting spirituality as a coping source. Over three quarters of our religious/spiritual sample (77.7 %) reported attending a religious service in the past year. Religious participation and commitment were negatively associated with psychological well-being. 

Conversely, spiritual coping was positively associated with YGBM’s psychological well-being. Programs assisting YGBM navigate multiple/conflicting identities through sexuality-affirming resources may aid improve of their psychological well-being. 

We discuss the public health potential of increasing sensitivity to the religious/spiritual needs of YGBM across social service organizations.

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By:  

Steven Meanley

, Emily S. Pingel

, José A. Bauermeister 

University of Michigan School of Public Health

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Who's Opposed to Syrian Refugees in Detroit? - Video

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Prevalence of Sexual Violence & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an Urban African-American Population

Sexual violence is prevalent nationally and contributes to psychopathology in the general population. Despite elevated traumatic event exposure among economically disadvantaged urban-dwelling African-Americans, there is insufficient information on lifetime sexual violence exposure and associated psychopathology in this population. 

In 2008-2009, 1,306 African-Americans from a Detroit household probability sample reported on lifetime rape and sexual assault and past-month and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Lifetime sexual violence prevalence was 26.3% for women and 5.1% for men. Relative to non-victims, sexual violence victims: reported more other traumatic events; had 4 times greater unadjusted odds of past-month and lifetime PTSD; had 1.6 times greater adjusted odds of lifetime PTSD only after controlling for other traumatic events. 

Sexual violence was associated with increased risk for lifetime PTSD and exposure to other traumas. Findings highlight a need to screen for sexual violence and PTSD among urban African-Americans.

Via: http://ht.ly/S1cS2

By: Walsh K1, Koenen KC, Aiello AE, Uddin M, Galea S.

• 1Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th Street, Room 1513, New York, NY, 10032, USA

Where You Live Matters: Structural Correlates of HIV Risk Behavior Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Metro Detroit

Structural characteristics are linked to HIV/STI risks, yet few studies have examined the mechanisms through which structural characteristics influence the HIV/STI risk of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). 

Using data from a cross-sectional survey of YMSM (ages 18-29) living in Detroit Metro (N = 328; 9% HIV-positive; 49% Black, 27% White, 15% Latino, 9% Other race), we used multilevel modeling to examine the association between community-level characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic disadvantage; distance to LGBT-affirming institutions) and YMSM's HIV testing behavior and likelihood of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse with serodiscordant partner(s). 

We accounted for individual-level factors (race/ethnicity, poverty, homelessness, alcohol and marijuana use) and contextual factors (community acceptance and stigma regarding same-sex sexuality). YMSM in neighborhoods with greater disadvantage and nearer to an AIDS Service Organization were more likely to have tested for HIV and less likely to report serodiscordant partners. Community acceptance was associated with having tested for HIV. Efforts to address YMSM's exposure to structural barriers in Detroit Metro are needed to inform HIV prevention strategies from a socioecological perspective.

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By: Bauermeister JA1, Eaton L, Andrzejewski J, Loveluck J, VanHemert W, Pingel ES.

• 1Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, SPH I Room 3822, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA, jbauerme@umich.edu.