Disengagement from the legal system: Exploring factors contributing to case attrition among rape victims in Baguio City, Philippines

Rape is one of the most demoralizing crimes committed against society on a global scale; however, case progression and conviction are very low as shown by the attrition of cases. Various research studies focus on the victims’ point of view for explaining this phenomenon, usually at the police level. This study employed a mixed-methods approach using an explanatory sequential design to examine rape case attrition in Baguio City, Philippines, through both statistical trends and narrative insights. A quantitative analysis of 273 police-reported cases from 2018 to 2022 was followed by qualitative interviews with 24 professionals, including police officers, prosecutors, judges, clerks of court, and social workers, selected carefully via purposive and snowball sampling. Using a multiple linear regression, it was revealed that filing time at the prosecutor and court level is significant in case attrition; these delays are attributed to the legal process, power imbalances, and societal pressure especially familial influence. They play critical roles in a victim’s decision to disengage, leading to informal settlements as a prevalent approach in rape cases. Moreover, the quantitative findings are further reinforced by the qualitative findings’ key theme: legal procedural delays, victim-centered factors, and an insufficient support system, affecting cases leading to attrition. This study supports a nuanced framework where victim disengagement is not merely a matter of choice but an outcome shaped by intersecting pressures and a lack of strong support from formal institutions. This highlights the need for systemic reform and culturally sensitive interventions, ensuring a strong support mechanism is practiced while pursuing justice toward victim empowerment.