Revictimization by polygraph: the practice of polygraphing survivors of sexual assault

Sexual assault survivors are scrutinized in a manner unlike that meted out to any other victims of crime. Law enforcement officers or prosecutors may subject the survivor to a polygraph exam in an attempt to ascertain the truth or as a prerequisite to further investigation of the case. In a survey conducted with rape crisis centres across the United States, 63 centres in 17 states reported working with survivors of sexual assault who had been polygraphed. Rape crisis centres in 11 states reported that children had been polygraphed. This article examines the practice of polygraphing survivors of sexual assault.