Sexual Assault Kits and Sexual Assault Reform

Call for Papers

Sexual Assault Kits and Sexual Assault Reform

JOURNAL : Journal of Criminal Psychology

PUBLISHER: Emerald Publishing

ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 15 March 2026

SUBMISSION OPENS: 01 May 2026

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 August 2026

ABOUT THIS SPECIAL ISSUE

This special issue aims to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of sexual assault kit (SAK) reform and sexual assault response, focusing on the innovations and challenges that are shaping the field. It highlights current developments, challenges, and innovations in SAKs across various jurisdictions, countries, and cultures, and aims to envision what the next decade of reform should look like.

We invite high-quality empirical studies, policy analyses, review articles, and practitioner perspectives. All contributions should have a broad link to criminal psychology.

SCOPE & THEME AREAS

We invite submissions addressing (but not limited to) the following themes:

1. Advancements in testing and tracking — Innovations in the collection, testing, and tracking of sexual assault kits across jurisdictions.

2. Advancements in forensics and DNA methodologies — Emerging forensic science and DNA technologies applied to sexual assault investigations.

3. Changes in investigative and prosecutorial practices — How SAK reform is reshaping law enforcement investigations and prosecutorial decision-making.

4. Criminal linkages — Connections between sexual and non-sexual assaults and crimes identified through SAK data and forensic evidence.

5. Advancements in understanding offender and/or victim behaviour — New insights into offender patterns and victim experiences emerging from SAK reform efforts.

6. Survivor-centred reforms — Reforms that prioritise the needs, rights, and experiences of survivors in sexual assault response systems.

7. Sexual assault response teams — The structure, functioning, and effectiveness of multi-disciplinary sexual assault response teams (SARTs).

8. Disparities in access, processing, and outcomes — Examining inequities across racial, geographic, socioeconomic, and other dimensions in SAK processing and outcomes.

9. Impacts of legislative mandates and evolving reform efforts — How legislation is driving — or hindering — SAK reform across different jurisdictions and cultures.

10. Sustainability of reform efforts — Long-term sustainability of SAK reform initiatives and systemic change in sexual assault response.

GUEST EDITORS

Rachel E. Lovell Cleveland State University, USA ✉️ r.e.lovell@csuohio.edu

Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling University of North Carolina Charlotte, USA ✉️ jlanghin@charlotte.edu

KEY DEADLINES & DATES

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Abstract first: Authors must submit their abstract by 15 March 2026 via email to the guest editors before proceeding to full manuscript submission.

Abstract email contacts:

✉️ Rachel Lovell — r.e.lovell@csuohio.edu

✉️ Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling — jlanghin@charlotte.edu

How to submit full paper: Manuscripts must be submitted via ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/JCRIMP

Author guidelines: Must be strictly followed. Full guidelines available at: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jcp

Selecting the special issue: At the appropriate submission step, authors must select the special issue title from the drop-down menu in response to "Please select the issue you are submitting to."

Eligibility: Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication elsewhere while under review.

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