Consent or Crime: Examining the Perceptions of Prostitution

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Description
There is a large debate surrounding the legality of prostitution that leads to a negative portrayal of sex entertainment. Research examining the history of sex entertainment was reviewed to establish common themes. There are many arguments in support of or…

There is a large debate surrounding the legality of prostitution that leads to a negative portrayal of sex entertainment. Research examining the history of sex entertainment was reviewed to establish common themes. There are many arguments in support of or against the legalization of prostitution. Public support for the legalization of prostitution has increased over time meriting research on recent perceptions. This study was based on a newly collected opinion survey (N=302). It is used to examine attitudes towards individuals who sell sex by using sex, education, religion, and age as independent variables against the Attitudes Towards Individuals who Sell Sex (ATISS) scale. The data set provided that a majority of individuals prefer the legalization of prostitution and webcamming models. Results indicated that religion was the only statistically significant predictor of attitudes towards those who sell sex which is aligned with past research. Moving forward, it is important to understand the discrepancies between attitudes towards those who sell sex and legalization of prostitution and current laws and policies.
Date Created
2021
Agent

It's a gut feeling: the craft of diagnosing victim credibility and case convictability

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Description
The #MeToo Movement has sparked debate across the world as to how prevalent sexual assault is and what can be done to help survivors. Although sexual assaults are the least likely crime to be reported to police, it is important…

The #MeToo Movement has sparked debate across the world as to how prevalent sexual assault is and what can be done to help survivors. Although sexual assaults are the least likely crime to be reported to police, it is important to examine the criminal justice system’s treatment of these cases. The focus of this thesis is on the prosecution of sexual assault cases. Specifically, the goal is to uncover the factors that impact prosecutorial decision-making in sexual assault cases across three different timepoints. This study examines qualitative interviews conducted in 2010 with 30 Deputy District Attorneys from Los Angeles, California. Results reveal that prosecutors’ largely rely on their “gut feelings” about whether a case will be successful based on a combination of factors, including: victim credibility, availability of evidence, and corroboration of the victim’s story, just to name a few. The study concludes with an examination of these results, a discussion on the limitations of the study and a guide for future research, and what policy changes can come from these findings.
Date Created
2019
Agent

A participatory, transformational approach to urban food security research

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Description
Contemporary urban food security in the US is influenced by complex, multidimensional, and multi-scale factors. However, most assessment methods and intervention efforts in food security research are: 1) narrowly focused on environmental factors (i.e. the presence or absence of quality…

Contemporary urban food security in the US is influenced by complex, multidimensional, and multi-scale factors. However, most assessment methods and intervention efforts in food security research are: 1) narrowly focused on environmental factors (i.e. the presence or absence of quality food outlets), 2) divorced from the human dimension and, 3) ultimately disempower communities to affect change at the local level. New approaches are needed to capture the lived experiences and unique perspectives of people potentially most vulnerable to food insecurity, while also empowering people to become change agents in their lives and in the wider community. This thesis argues that sustainability problem solving frameworks such as transformational sustainability research (TSR), and community-based participatory research (CBPR) provide promising bases from which to address these deficiencies. Through interactive workshops with youth in Canyon Corridor, a neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona, I demonstrate the potential of concept mapping, sketch mapping, and intervention mapping methods that prioritize participation and co-production of knowledge to: 1) better understand the contextual, community-identified factors that contribute to food security or food insecurity, 2) identify and adapt interventions for the local context and, 3) promote community agency and action. Workshop outcomes suggest the relevance of these frameworks and methods, and the potential for more people- and place-based approaches to food security research.
Date Created
2012
Agent

Is Local More Sustainable in Phoenix, Arizona?

Description

Our study calculates the estimated difference in water use, energy demands, and CO2 emissions of head lettuce associated with the production (land preparation and growing operations, chemical inputs, irrigation) and the transportation (diesel demand) to the Phoenix metro area from:
 …

Our study calculates the estimated difference in water use, energy demands, and CO2 emissions of head lettuce associated with the production (land preparation and growing operations, chemical inputs, irrigation) and the transportation (diesel demand) to the Phoenix metro area from:
       1. A local level, defined here as within Maricopa County, Arizona (AZ).
       2. From the central coast of California (CA) in Monterey County.

Our research results demonstrate that local lettuce is more resource intensive than non-local or regional produce. Production in Maricopa County has significantly higher (more than double) energy demands and emissions than Monterey County. Irrigation and chemical inputs are the greatest contributors to energy demand in Maricopa, but it is primarily irrigation that contributes to emissions. Comparatively, transportation and chemical inputs are the greatest contributors to energy demand in Monterey, and it is primarily transportation that contributes to emissions.

This life cycle inventory suggests that we need to reconsider the “food miles” framing of the local food debate and whether local food production is a viable sustainable alternative to the current food system in the arid Southwest. However, we also recognize that factors beyond resource-use and emissions affect policymakers’ and consumers’ demands for local foods. Future studies ought to provide a more nuanced look at the issue that also includes social, psychological, and economic factors that influence food policies and purchases. These results have important implications for future water management and suggest the need to pursue more water efficient practices in AZ.

Date Created
2012-05
Agent
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