DOJ To Investigate NYPD Special Victims Division

    Image copyright: New York City Police Dept. [via The Daily Mail]

    The Facts

    • The DOJ this week launched an investigation of the NYPD Special Victims Division (SVD) over its handling of sexual assault cases and whether it engages in "a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing."

    • SVD, which is tasked with crimes involving rape, sexual abuse, and children, has been criticized for decades, including by women who said their reports of rapes and sexual assaults resulted in them being maligned and dismissed.


    The Spin

    Establishment-critical narrative

    For too long the NYPD has ignored systemic issues in SVD that have led to sex crime survivors being neglected and/or mistreated. This is a victory for the victims and, hopefully, the investigation will lead to accountability and drastic reform.

    Pro-establishment narrative

    The NYPD is well aware of past issues with SVD, and takes them very seriously. They've previously launched their own internal reviews, and the division has improved in recent years. Their pledge to fully cooperate with this latest investigation only further demonstrates the NYPD's commitment to strengthening their survivor-based philosophy.


    Articles on this story

    Sign up to our daily newsletter