Bureaucratic barriers and racial bias profoundly hinder access to victim compensation for adult survivors of sexual assault, perpetuating systemic injustices while compounding trauma. Recent research conducted by the University of Michigan reveals that the reliance on police verification as a prerequisite for compensation is a critical obstacle, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. This study, recently published in the American Journal of Public Health, underscores the entrenched disparities faced by survivors navigating the labyrinthine processes that govern aid distribution.
Central to the findings is the revelation that nearly one-third of denied victim compensation claims stem from the absence of police verification. Approximately 34.4% of disapproved applications—translating to roughly 8 out of every 100 claimants—are rejected solely because the applicant could not produce a police report confirming the crime. This stringent requirement disproportionately disenfranchises survivors of sexual assault, for whom the criminal justice system often serves as a source of further trauma rather than support.
The research highlights a peculiar dynamic in sexual assault cases: police often question the legitimacy of survivors’ accounts, engendering significant hurdles in documentation. Sociologist Jeremy Levine, associate professor of organizational studies at the University of Michigan, articulates how these policies enforce an almost insurmountable administrative gatekeeping. “Survivors must demonstrate the credibility of the assault to a degree that often exceeds the realities of their experiences, creating an inequitable standard that obstructs access to crucial resources,” he explains.
The study analyzed a robust dataset comprising roughly 42,000 compensation claims filed by adult survivors across 18 states between 2015 and 2023. Applicants sought financial assistance for costs directly related to their assault, such as medical care. The data revealed that while over 93% of applicants were women, these individuals came from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds—around 42% identified as white, 21% as Latina, and 15% as Black—indicating a wide demographic reach that is pivotal for understanding systemic racial disparities.
Critically, the analysis exposed glaring racial inequities in claim approvals. Black and Indigenous women were significantly less likely to have their compensation claims approved compared to their white counterparts. This disparity persisted even after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, state of residence, and year of application. Such findings illuminate the intersection of race and bureaucracy, where institutional policies inadvertently uphold racial bias under the veneer of neutral administration.
Adding to the administrative burden, over one-third of claim denials resulted from incomplete or insufficient documentation related to the crime and associated expenses. This includes cases where survivors neglected to fill out portions of the application or failed to provide adequate proof of costs incurred. The intertwining of excessive paperwork requirements with historical mistrust of law enforcement and medical institutions among Black and Indigenous women amplifies their marginalization in securing support.
Moreover, about 8% of applications were denied due to survivors’ non-cooperation with police investigations. Many survivors decline to participate in police interviews or provide statements, driven by legitimate fears of retaliation, re-traumatization, and breaches of privacy and safety. This non-cooperation, while often rooted in self-preservation, paradoxically penalizes survivors within the bureaucratic framework designed to provide aid.
The geographic variability in compensation approval rates further compounds inequities. The study revealed stark contrasts among states: New Hampshire exhibited a nearly universal approval rate of 94%, functioning as a reliable safety net for survivors. Conversely, survivors in Illinois confronted an arduous path, with fewer than 30% of applicants receiving any support. This geographic disparity reflects uneven institutional commitments and procedural differences that exacerbate survivors’ uncertainty and hardship.
Levine emphasizes that access to victim support should not be contingent on “race, bureaucracy or geography.” He advocates for urgent policy reforms focused on dismantling administrative barriers, especially the onerous requirement for police verification. “The system’s current structure fundamentally undermines its mission by relying on mechanisms that exclude rather than aid survivors,” Levine asserts.
Addressing these systemic flaws necessitates comprehensive institutional change, including revisiting compensation eligibility criteria and reimagining verification processes. Researchers contend that survivors should not be compelled to navigate punitive bureaucratic hurdles or risk exposing themselves to potentially harmful justice system interactions to access life-altering aid. Equity-focused frameworks must replace the status quo, ensuring fairness and sensitivity to survivors’ lived realities.
Crucially, the approval rate for sexual assault survivor compensation stands at 74.4%, meaning that more than one in four claims are denied. The gravity of this statistic is magnified when contextualized; survivors reaching the compensation application stage have already overcome significant obstacles. The study critiques the final rejection rate as intolerable, arguing it should approach zero, given the trauma and systemic barriers endured prior to application.
This comprehensive analysis sheds light on how entrenched racial and bureaucratic inequities collide to hinder survivor support mechanisms. By revealing the structural failings in victim compensation programs across states, the study compels policymakers and institutions to reckon with disparities that perpetuate injustice. Only through targeted reforms can victim aid systems fulfill their promises to those they are intended to protect.
The implications of this research extend beyond victim compensation programs, reflecting broader challenges within the intersection of sexual violence, race, and institutional response. It highlights the imperative for trauma-informed, culturally competent approaches that validate survivor experiences while dismantling exclusionary mechanisms. As this study elucidates, meaningful change demands not only legal but systemic transformation rooted in equity and care.
Subject of Research: Victim compensation disparities among adult sexual assault survivors in the United States
Article Title: Racial Disparities in Victim Compensation Program Claim Approvals for Adult Survivors of Sexual Assault: 18 US States
Web References: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/epdf/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308304
References: University of Michigan study published in American Journal of Public Health, DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2025.308304
Keywords: Social sciences, Social research, Sociology, Economics
