Gender-based judicial ingroup bias in sex crime sentencing: evidence from Belgium
Exploring data on adjudication of sex crimes at a major Belgian court, we study the presence of gender-based judicial ingroup bias in criminal sentencing. Using a difference-in-difference approach and addressing sample selection concerns, we find that defendants who are randomly assigned to a panel...
Authors: | ; |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2020
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In: |
International journal of law, crime and justice
Year: 2020, Volume: 62 |
Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Keywords: |
Summary: | Exploring data on adjudication of sex crimes at a major Belgian court, we study the presence of gender-based judicial ingroup bias in criminal sentencing. Using a difference-in-difference approach and addressing sample selection concerns, we find that defendants who are randomly assigned to a panel featuring a presiding judge of matching gender receive comparatively more severe sentences. The resulting effect is discernible especially when the crime involves a female victim. This suggests that the underlying driver of the negative gender-based ingroup bias is judicial enforcement of a salient ingroup norm, in itself an expression of affinity with one's gender-based ingroup. |
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ISSN: | 1756-0616 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.ijlcj.2020.100394 |