Multiple Perpetrator Rape Publication

This week the first ever Handbook on the Study of Multiple Perpetrator Rape is being published by Routledge. The book was co-edited by Dr Miranda Horvath (Department of Psychology Middlesex University) and Dr Jessica Woodhams (Department of Psychology,University of Birmingham) and includes chapters from researchers and practitioners from around the world including two other members of the Psychology Department at Middlesex – Dr Jackie Gray and PhD student Mackenzie Lambine.

Much attention has been paid to Multiple Perpetrator Rape (MPR) in recent months as a result of the gang-rape of a 23 year-old women and New Delhi which resulted in her death and many similar offences which have since been reported. Although Jyoti Singh Pandey’s rape and murder has touched many people, this is not a new offence, or one that is limited to a particular country. Although we do not have reliable statistics on how common MPR is (because crime statistics on sexual violence do not differentiate between rapes committed by lone perpetrators and those perpetrated by groups) evidence suggestion it is an international but not a uniform phenomenon. However like other forms of sexual violence most victim-survivors are female and perpetrators are male.

The Handbook on the Study of Multiple Perpetrator Rape was produced as the result of a British Psychological Society funded seminar series awarded to Miranda and Jessica in 2010. The seminars were held at Middlesex University and the University of Birmingham in 2011 and 2012 and brought together researchers, policy makers and practitioners from the UK, USA, Australia, Israel, South Africa and the Netherlands (you can find some more information from the seminars here).

The handbook is organised to provide readers with a comprehensive account of the thinking, theorising and empirical evidence on multiple perpetrator rape to date. Aspects covered include: different contexts in which multiple perpetrator rape occurs such as gangs, war, fraternities, South Africa; experiences of women and girls as victims and perpetrators; offence characteristics such as leadership and role taking, aggression and violence; the importance of group size; the media’s portrayal of high profile cases;  the prosecution of and treatment of offenders; and approaches to prevention.

The contributions to this collection are written by leading academics and practitioners from a variety of disciplines who bring together research and practice on multiple perpetrator rape by presenting new data from a strong theoretical and contextual base. It is hoped that the book will be a key text for students and academics studying multiple perpetrator rape and an essential reference tool for professionals working in the field, including police officers, educationalists, forensic psychologists, youth workers, probation staff, lawyers, judges and policy makers.

The handbook is the fourth volume in the book series Issues in Forensic Psychology, edited by Richard Shuker of the therapeutic prison community HMP Grendon, UK. The series aims to provide analysis and debate on current issues of relevance to forensic psychology and associated fields. Routledge anticipates issuing the paperback in 2014.

To take advantage of a 20 percent pre-publication discount (until 28^th February 2012), visit the book's site and use the discount code CRIMHPR12 when placing your order. The same link can also be used to recommend the book to your institution's librarian.